Make Num Lock Stay On at Startup in Windows

If your Num Lock key turns off every time you start or restart Windows, you can make it stay on by changing a BIOS/UEFI setting, editing the Windows Registry, or using a startup script. The most reliable fix is enabling “Num Lock on boot” in your BIOS/UEFI, but the Registry method works on most systems without restarting into setup.

Why Num Lock Resets at Startup

Num Lock state is controlled by two layers: the firmware (BIOS/UEFI) and the Windows operating system. When you press the power button, the firmware initializes the keyboard and sets Num Lock to its stored default. Then Windows loads and applies its own setting, which is saved in the Registry under HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard.

If the Registry value is 0, Windows turns Num Lock off at the login screen. If it is 2, Windows leaves it on. The reason it keeps resetting is usually that the Registry value is set to 0, or the firmware default is off and Windows is not overriding it.

Method 1: Change the BIOS/UEFI Setting (Most Reliable)

Most desktop motherboards and many laptops have a firmware option called “Num Lock State,” “Boot Num Lock,” or “Numlock on boot.” Here is how to change it:

1. Restart your computer.
2. During the boot screen, press the key that opens the BIOS/UEFI setup. Common keys are Del, F2, F10, or Esc — the exact key is shown at the bottom of the screen.
3. Look for a section named “Advanced,” “Boot,” or “Keyboard.”
4. Find the option labeled “Num Lock State,” “Boot Num Lock,” or “Numlock on boot.”
5. Change it to On or Enabled.
6. Press F10 to save and exit (or select “Save & Exit”).

If you cannot find the option, search your motherboard or laptop manual for “Num Lock” and the model name. Some modern laptops do not expose this setting, so use the Registry method below.

Method 2: Edit the Windows Registry (Works on Most Systems)

This method forces Windows to turn Num Lock on at the login screen. It works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and it does not require a BIOS change.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to this key:
   HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard
3. Find the string value named InitialKeyboardIndicators.
4. Double-click it and change the value data from 0 to 2.
5. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
6. Restart your computer to test.

If the value does not exist, create it: right-click in the right pane, select New → String Value, name it InitialKeyboardIndicators, and set its value to 2.

Method 3: Use a Startup Script (If Registry Doesn’t Work)

Some systems, especially older ones, ignore the Registry setting. A simple script can press Num Lock automatically when you log in. Here is how to set it up:

1. Open Notepad and paste this line:
   Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.SendKeys "{NUMLOCK}"
2. Save the file as numlock.vbs (make sure the extension is .vbs, not .txt).
3. Press Win + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter.
4. Copy the numlock.vbs file into the Startup folder.

This script toggles Num Lock once when you log in. If Num Lock is already on, it will turn it off, so only use this if the Registry method fails.

Common Problems and Fixes

• Registry edit doesn’t work: Make sure you edited HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT, not HKEY_CURRENT_USER. The .DEFAULT key applies to the login screen, while HKEY_CURRENT_USER applies after you log in.
• Num Lock still off at login screen: The BIOS setting usually controls the login screen. If the Registry method doesn’t work, try the BIOS method.
• Laptop with no BIOS option: Some laptops, especially thin models, do not expose the Num Lock boot setting. Use the Registry method, and if that fails, use the startup script.
• Num Lock turns off after a few seconds: This can happen if a keyboard driver or utility is overriding the setting. Check if you have any keyboard customization software installed (e.g., from the laptop manufacturer) and disable its Num Lock management.

How to Check the Current Registry Value

If you want to see what Windows is currently using, open Command Prompt and run:

reg query "HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard" /v InitialKeyboardIndicators

The output shows the current value. 0 means off, 2 means on. You can also change it from the command line as an administrator:

reg add "HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard" /v InitialKeyboardIndicators /t REG_SZ /d 2 /f

This is a quick way to apply the fix without opening the Registry Editor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Num Lock turn off every time I boot?

Windows stores the Num Lock state in the Registry under HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT. If that value is 0, Windows turns it off at the login screen. The BIOS may also have a default of off, and if Windows doesn’t override it, you see it off.

Does the Registry method work on Windows 11?

Yes, the same Registry key works on Windows 11. The path and value are identical to Windows 10. If it doesn’t work, check the BIOS setting or use the startup script.

Is it safe to edit the Registry?

Editing this specific key is safe as long as you change only InitialKeyboardIndicators. Do not delete or rename other keys. If you are unsure, back up the Registry before making changes (File → Export).

What if my keyboard doesn’t have a Num Lock key?

Some compact keyboards (like 60% mechanical keyboards) lack a dedicated Num Lock key. You can still set the Registry value to 2, and the number pad will be active when you connect the keyboard. If the keyboard uses a function layer, you may need to press a combination like Fn + Insert to toggle it.

Can I make Num Lock stay on for a specific user only?

Yes. Instead of editing HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT, edit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard while logged in as that user. Set InitialKeyboardIndicators to 2. This applies only after login, not to the login screen.

Why does Num Lock turn off when I use Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop sessions often sync the client’s Num Lock state. If the client has Num Lock off, the remote session follows. There is no permanent fix on the remote computer; you need to enable Num Lock on the client machine before connecting.

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