Why is my computer typing random letters?

Have you ever been typing away at something on your computer using your Windows 10 system and looked up to find a bunch of nonsense? This is because your keys on your keyboard suddenly aren’t matching up on what is typed.  

Believe it or not, this happens frequently, but why is this an issue? What causes it to happen? But the most important thing: how can you fix your keyboard typing the wrong characters in Windows 10?

Fixing a keyboard that types the wrong characters in Windows 10 isn’t too difficult. There are a couple of reasons this could happen too. In any case, let’s take a look at what we can do about fixing your keyboard typing wrong keys in windows 10. 

Keyboards are pretty reliable, so actually having an issue with them typing the wrong characters doesn’t happen often. When it does happen though, don’t panic. 

Check Language Settings 

This is an easy one. Sometimes your keyboard may be set to the wrong language, making it type in a language you don’t recognize. Here’s how to fix this issue:

1. Go to Control Panel and select the group Clock, Language, Region.
2. Select language and choose Advanced Settings
3. Locate the option Override on Default Input Method and select preferred language from the drop-down menu.
4. Set the Override for Windows Display Language to the same language, hit OK, and restart your computer.

Check Autocorrect Settings 

At times, autocorrect settings can make it seem like your keyboard is going crazy. If your keyboard types fine elsewhere but begins having issues when you are using Word, this is the likely culprit. Here’s how to fix this:

1. Open Word, go to File and choose Options.
2. Go to Proofing and choose the Autocorrect Options.
3. Check for Autocorrect entries that change normally typed text into something else. There will be a list of entries. Examine each of them and delete any of them that you don’t want.

Check NumLock is Off 

This seems unlikely, but believe it or not, it happens often. It’s easy to accidentally turn NumLock on. All you have to do is turn it off by pressing it. Pressing once turns it on and off. It’s frustrating but not a real issue.

More Ways to Fix Keyboard Typing Wrong Characters in Windows 10

• Run the keyboard troubleshooter. Windows 10 has a dedicated troubleshooting tool that lets users fix common issues that might affect their computers. Go to Settings > Update & Security > select Troubleshoot. Locate the keyboard troubleshooter and run it. After the scan, follow the troubleshooting instructions on the screen. Restart your computer and check if the problem persists.
• As always, scan for viruses, malware, etc. Viruses can be the source of many issues. Your keyboard might type the wrong characters due to malware infections. Remember, keyloggers are common and they can change your keyboard settings. Keyloggers are often undetected, but they can cause various keyboard issues. Check out a good antivirus guide for software recommendations.
• Uninstall keyboard drivers. You will normally never need to do this, but sometimes simply updating the drivers for your keyboard or uninstalling and reinstalling them can help. Go to Start > type ‘Device Manager’> double click on the first option. Locate the keyboard driver, right-click, and select Uninstall. Do not reinstall the driver. Reboot your computer. The driver should install it on its own. Check to see if this fixes the issue.

These are the main issues that can cause your keyboard to type the wrong characters. It’s likely that one of these actions will fix the issue you’re having with your keyboard. 

Keep in mind that if you have ever spilled any liquid on your keyboard, and even if you have successfully gotten all the liquid up, it can affect the keyboard at some point. This may not happen right away, but later on, you may notice keys sticking, keys working randomly, and keys not working at all. 

In this case, you’ll need to replace your keyboard. Your keys may also be too worn out from years of use, which will also require you to replace them. This can happen with old keyboards. 

If you’re looking for a software company you can trust for its integrity and honest business practices, look no further than SoftwareKeep. We are a Microsoft Certified Partner and a BBB Accredited Business that cares about bringing our customers a reliable, satisfying experience on the software products they need. We will be with you before, during, and after all the sales.

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by Milan Stanojevic

Milan Stanojevic

Windows & Software Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about PCs ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as... read more

Updated on August 16, 2022

Reviewed by Vlad Turiceanu

Vlad Turiceanu

Editor-in-Chief

Passionate about technology, Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world. Coming... read more

• The keyboard typing on its own might be a sign of wrong settings or corrupted files. 
• Some users see the keyboard typing on its own or even typing the same letter twice or thrice.
• Using the dedicated troubleshooter is an easy solution when you have the keyboard automatically typing.
• Using an on-screen keyboard is helpful if the physical laptop keyboard is typing by itself.

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Keyboard issues can get you into a lot of trouble since they can completely restrict your access to the PC.

This situation becomes even worse if you’re dealing with this issue while working from home, or while trying to chat with your friends and family about urgent matters.

That being said, not all keyboard issues are the same, even though they might have some similarities.

Here are some common problems that users encountered:

• Keyboard typing on its own Windows 10, without your intervention – To fix this, just run the keyboard troubleshooter, and the problem should be resolved.
• Keyboard double typing Windows 10 – Sometimes, your keyboard can repeat letters. If this happens, be sure to update your drivers or reinstall them.
• Laptop keyboard typing by itself or suddenly typing slash (/) – This problem can occur due to hardware issues, but you might be able to avoid it by using an external keyboard.
• Keyboard typing randomly – This issue can occur for various reasons, but you should be able to fix the problem with one of our solutions.

Now that we covered some of the most common situations you might find yourself in, let’s dive into how to resolve this issue.

Why is my laptop keyboard automatically typing?

This can happen if your keys are stuck or you’re pressing them by accident. For example, if your keyboard is beeping, it’s possible that you have multiple keys pressed, and it can’t register them all.

Other issues can occur; many have reported that the keyboard is typing numbers instead of letters. Again, your settings most likely cause this, so be sure to adjust them to fix this problem.

If your keyboard is typing backward, it’s possible that your typing settings aren’t correct, so you’ll need to adjust them accordingly.

What can I do if my keyboard is automatically typing?

1. Run the keyboard troubleshooter

1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the Update & Security section. You can quickly open the Settings app using Windows Key + I shortcut.
2. Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left. In the right pane, select keyboard and click the Run the troubleshooter button.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooting process.

Once the troubleshooting process is finished, check if the problem is still there. According to users, the problem might be a temporary software glitch, and running the troubleshooter should fix it.

2. Update/Reinstall the keyboard driver

1. Go to Start; type Device Manager then doubles click on the first result.
2. Locate the keyboard driver, right-click on it and select Uninstall.
3. Reboot your computer without reinstalling the driver. Instead, your computer should reinstall the keyboard driver upon rebooting. You can then relaunch the Device Manager.

You can update your keyboard drivers using an automatic tool if this doesn’t happen. However, don’t forget that downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to severe malfunctions on your  PC. Thus, we recommend an alternative tool that will do it for you.

Most of the time, the generic drivers for your PC’s hardware and peripherals are not properly updated by the system. There are key differences between a generic driver and a manufacturer’s driver.Searching for the right driver version for each of your hardware components can become tedious. That’s why an automated assistant can help you find and update your system with the correct drivers every time, and we strongly recommend DriverFix. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download and install DriverFix.
2. Launch the software.
3. Wait for the detection of all your faulty drivers.
4. DriverFix will now show you all the drivers that have issues, and you just need to select the ones you’d liked fixed.
5. Wait for the app to download and install the newest drivers.
6. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Keep your PC components drivers working perfectly without putting your PC at risk.

Disclaimer: this program needs to be upgraded from the free version in order to perform some specific actions.

3. Create a new user profile

1. Open the Settings and go to Accounts.
2. In the left pane menu, click on Family & Other Users.
3. Under other users, click on Add someone else on this PC.
4. By default, you’ll be asked to sign into a Microsoft account. Click on the link below, which says I don’t have this person in information on Add a user without Microsoft account.
5. Fill out a username and click next until completion.
6. Sign in with this account and see if the keyboard is working.

4. Drain your laptop battery

If you’re having this problem with your laptop, you might be able to fix it simply by draining its battery.

There are various reasons why the keyboard can start automatically typing, but several users reported that they fixed the issue by draining their laptop battery.

Keep your laptop running for a couple of hours until the battery is completely drained. After that, remove the battery and press and hold the Power button for about 30 seconds or more.

By doing so, you’ll remove any electricity from the device. Now insert the battery back into your laptop and check if the problem is still there.

5. Try your keyboard on a different PC

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Sometimes your keyboard can be typing automatically because one of its keys is stuck. If t so, then remove that key and check if the problem is resolved.

If the issue doesn’t appear, insert the keyboard back into its slot and check if that helps.

If the issue is still there, connect the keyboard to a different PC and check if it’s working. In case the keyboard works, it’s possible that one of your settings is causing the issue on your PC.

If you’re using a laptop, you should take it to the repair shop and ask them to check if your keyboard is working correctly.

6. Use an external keyboard instead of your laptop keyboard

1. First, connect your external keyboard to the laptop.
2. Then, open Device Manager, locate your keyboard, right-click it and choose Disable from the menu.3. You will get a confirmation dialog box, where you have to click Yes.

Once you disable your built-in keyboard, the problem should be resolved. However, remember that using an external keyboard is just a workaround until you find a permanent solution for the default keyboard.

A virtual keyboard has been of great help for users as a temporary solution. It’s easy to use and allows you to perform all sorts of actions simply by clicking the dedicated button on your screen.

We recommend the universal and fully accessible virtual keyboard from Comfort Software. It has additional advantages compared to the regular keyboard, and you can customize the on-screen keyboard look and behavior.

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7. Use the System File Checker

If nothing has worked until now, it’s time to check for corrupted files. First, open Command Prompt and insert the System File Checker command + Enter (sfc /scannow).

Allow the process to finish and see if it solves any issues. Restart the device afterward and try to use the keyboard.

Read more about this topic

8. Make sure that Sticky Keys aren’t enabled

1. Type Control Panel in the search bar. Now choose Control Panel from the list of results.
2. When Control Panel opens, select Ease of Access Center, then Change how your keyboard works.
3. Disable all options in Make it easier to type section. Now click Set up Sticky Keys.
4. Disable all options and click Apply and OK to save changes.

Once you disable Sticky Keys, check if the problem is resolved.

According to users, if your keyboard is automatically typing, that can be due to the Sticky Keys feature. This is an accessibility feature, and while it can be helpful to many users, sometimes it can cause problems, so make sure to disable it.

9. Install the latest updates

1. Open the Settings app and go to the Update & Security section.
2. Now click the Check for updates button.

Windows will check for available updates and try to download them automatically in the background. Once the updates are downloaded, they’ll be installed as they’ll restart your PC.

Once your system is up to date, check if the problem is resolved.

We hope that one of the solutions above helped. However, if you tried another method successfully, please list it in the comments below.

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