How To Enable Num Lock Permanently in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions

Getting the Num Lock to stay on all the time in Windows 11 is kinda annoying, especially if you’re someone who relies heavily on the numeric keypad. Because, of course, Windows loves to reset it every time you restart, and sometimes even after a simple logoff. Doing this usually involves diving into the registry and maybe tweaking some BIOS settings—stuff that’s not exactly user-friendly but makes all the difference once it’s set up correctly. The goal here is to make sure that Num Lock turns on automatically on boot, saving you from hitting that key every single time. Trust me, once you get this working, it’s like a little victory every morning. Just don’t forget, messing with the registry can be a little dangerous if you aren’t careful. Always back things up, or at least create a restore point, to avoid turning your PC into a paperweight.

How to Keep Num Lock on Permanently Windows 11

Access the Registry and Set Num Lock to Always On

First off, why bother with this? Well, if your Num Lock keeps turning off after shutdown or restart, this fix is for those who want it to be default ON without having to toggle it every time. It works because Windows, by default, sometimes resets Num Lock based on those registry entries or BIOS settings—an odd quirk of how Windows manages keyboard states. After applying this tweak, your Num Lock should be enabled right out of the gate, making typing numbers way faster and easier—especially if you deal with lots of data entry or spreadsheets. Expect your system to remember your preference, and on some setups, this can be a total game-changer.

Method 1: Change the Registry Setting for Num Lock

Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows key + R. Then type regedit and hit Enter. Yeah, this opens the Registry Editor. Dealing with the registry is kinda like walking a tightrope—be careful. On some machines, it might ask for permission or show a UAC prompt — just allow it.
Navigate in the Registry to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard. You can copy and paste that path into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor for faster access.
Find the entry called InitialKeyboardIndicators. If it’s not there, you might need to create it as a new DWORD (32-bit) value. But for most, it’s already present.
Double-click on InitialKeyboardIndicators and set its value to 2147483650. What’s that? It’s a magic number that tells Windows to keep Num Lock on by default. Some guides suggest just 2, but that sometimes doesn’t work reliably. The larger number is more aggressive in keeping it on. Click OK and close the registry.

This change helps because it directly instructs Windows to keep Num Lock active at startup. If your Num Lock stubbornly turns off, this tweak should fix it. On some setups, it might require a reboot or log-off for the setting to take effect. Honestly, on one machine it worked immediately; on another, I had to restart a couple of times before it remembered.

Method 2: Check and Adjust BIOS Settings

If editing the registry doesn’t work, the BIOS/UEFI is the next stop. Restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS—usually Delete, F2, or Esc, depending on your motherboard or laptop brand.
Once inside, look for a setting related to the keyboard or Num Lock—it might be under Advanced, Input, or Boot options. Some BIOSs call it “Num Lock State, ” “Boot Keyboard NumLock State, ” or similar.
Change that setting to Enabled or On. This forces the Num Lock to turn on during the initial boot, regardless of what Windows thinks.
Save the changes and exit. Now, your computer should boot with Num Lock on, no matter what the registry says. Note that BIOS menus vary wildly, so it might take some clicking around—and yes, some BIOS versions are quite user-unfriendly.

On some systems, this BIOS tweak is more reliable than registry edits. Others might expect you to update your BIOS regularly to fix weird quirks, so keep that in mind if nothing works. Also, on certain laptops, the BIOS setting for Num Lock is either hidden or disabled, which makes things trickier.

Tips for Keeping Num Lock on Permanently Windows 11

Backup the registry before editing. Better safe than sorry, especially if Windows decides to throw a fit afterwards.
If you’re not super comfortable with registry edits, maybe ask someone who is—because one wrong move can mess things up.
Check if your keyboard has its own software or driver settings for Num Lock—that might override Windows. Some gaming keyboards or ergonomic models have their own preferences.
Keep your BIOS firmware updated. Sometimes these small settings are better handled after firmware updates, even though it’s a bit of a hassle.
If multiple user profiles are involved, remember to apply registry changes for each user, or test them on your main profile first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does the Num Lock key do?

It toggles the numeric keypad between inputting numbers and acting as arrow keys or functions. When Num Lock is on, your number pad spits out numbers; when it’s off, those keys might act as Home, End, Page Up, etc. Sometimes, it’s a pain when it resets itself, hence the need for these steps.

Why does Num Lock turn off automatically?

This often happens due to default Windows or BIOS settings that reset the Num Lock state on startup or logon. Also, some keyboards or software drivers might interfere, especially with wireless or gaming peripherals.

Can third-party apps keep Num Lock on?

Yeah, there are some utilities that can force Num Lock to stay on, but honestly, editing the registry or BIOS is more straightforward and reliable. Plus, you don’t have extra apps running in the background.

Will this work with all keyboards?

Most standard keyboards should cooperate, especially wired ones. Wireless or specialized keyboards might need additional setup or software tweaks, though.

Could messing with the registry mess up my system?

If you don’t follow instructions carefully, yes. But as long as you back up first and stick to the guide, it’s usually safe. The registry is powerful, so tread carefully.

Summary

Open the Registry Editor with regedit.
Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard.
Change InitialKeyboardIndicators to 2147483650.
Check your BIOS for any Num Lock options and enable them.
Reboot and verify if Num Lock stays on.

Wrap-up

This whole process might seem a bit daunting, but it’s mostly about patience and care. Once set up, your Num Lock should stay active without you having to hit that key every time, which is honestly a small but mighty time-saver. If things don’t work immediately, try rebooting, double-checking your settings, or just giving it a bit of time to settle in. Anyway, hopefully this shaves off a few hours of frustration for someone. Just remember, Windows is weird sometimes, and it’s all about working around its quirks. Good luck, and happy number crunching!