How to Fix Num Lock Resets to Off on Every Reboot on Windows
Num Lock keeps turning off after restart? Have to press Num Lock every time you boot? Fix Num Lock not staying on after reboot on Windows.
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •Num Lock is always OFF after booting Windows
- •Have to press Num Lock key every time after restart
- •Num Lock stays on during session but resets on reboot
- •BIOS shows Num Lock on but Windows turns it off
- •Fast Startup causes Num Lock state to not persist
- •Login screen has Num Lock off — can't type PIN numbers
Common Causes
- ⚠BIOS Num Lock default set to OFF
- ⚠Windows Fast Startup not preserving keyboard state
- ⚠Registry setting for initial keyboard indicators wrong
- ⚠Windows login screen resetting keyboard state
- ⚠Third-party keyboard software overriding Num Lock
- ⚠Power management turning off keyboard during boot
Solutions
Solution 1: Fix via Registry
- 1Regedit → HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard
- 2Find "InitialKeyboardIndicators" — double-click
- 3Change value to "2" (Num Lock ON at boot)
- 4Other values: "0" = all off, "1" = Caps Lock, "2" = Num Lock, "3" = both
- 5Also check: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard → same value → set to "2"
- 6Restart PC to test
- 7This forces Num Lock on at the login screen
Solution 2: Fix BIOS Setting
- 1Restart PC → enter BIOS/UEFI (usually Del, F2, or F10)
- 2Look for: Boot → Keyboard → Num Lock State
- 3Or: Advanced → Keyboard → Num Lock at Boot
- 4Set to "On" or "Enabled"
- 5Save and exit BIOS
- 6This ensures Num Lock is on before Windows even loads
- 7If BIOS doesn't have this option: the registry fix is the solution
Solution 3: Disable Fast Startup
- 1Fast Startup can cause keyboard state issues:
- 2Control Panel → Power Options → "Choose what the power buttons do"
- 3Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable"
- 4Uncheck "Turn on fast startup (recommended)"
- 5Click "Save changes"
- 6Restart PC (not shut down) — Num Lock should now respect your setting
- 7Alternatively: use Shutdown instead of restart to test both paths
- 8Fast Startup uses hybrid shutdown which may not re-initialize keyboard properly
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