The quickest way to capitalize on a Chromebook

Capitalizing on a Chromebook works the same way it does on any other keyboard: hold Shift and press the letter you want to capitalize. The Shift key is in the bottom left corner of your keyboard, below the Caps Lock key. Press and hold Shift, then tap the letter — release both at the same time.

If you need to type multiple capital letters in a row, use Caps Lock instead of holding Shift repeatedly. Press Caps Lock once to turn it on (you'll see a light or indicator on your keyboard), type your capitals, then press Caps Lock again to turn it off. On a Chromebook, Caps Lock is where it normally sits — to the left of the A key.

The behavior is identical whether you're using the built-in keyboard on a Chromebook laptop or an external keyboard connected by USB or Bluetooth. If you're using a touchscreen Chromebook with an on-screen keyboard, tap the Shift key (usually marked with an up arrow) before tapping each letter you want capitalized.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold Shift and press a letter to capitalize a single character, just like on Windows or Mac.
  • Press Caps Lock once to lock capitalization on, then press it again to turn it off.
  • External keyboards and touchscreen keyboards follow the same rules as the built-in Chromebook keyboard.
  • If Shift or Caps Lock seems stuck, restart your Chromebook to reset the keyboard state.

When Shift or Caps Lock isn't responding

If you hold Shift and nothing capitalizes, or if Caps Lock turns on but won't turn off, the issue is usually a stuck key or a temporary keyboard glitch. First, try pressing Shift and Caps Lock each a few times in succession — sometimes a key gets physically stuck and a firm press releases it.

If that doesn't work, restart your Chromebook. Press and hold the power button until the screen goes dark, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This clears any temporary keyboard state that may have gotten confused. Most Chromebooks restart in under a minute.

If you're using an external keyboard and capitalization still doesn't work after a restart, try disconnecting and reconnecting it. For Bluetooth keyboards, go to Settings, then Connected devices, find your keyboard, and select Disconnect. Wait a few seconds, then reconnect it by selecting it from the available devices list.

Using keyboard shortcuts that require Shift

On a Chromebook, many keyboard shortcuts use Shift in combination with other keys — for example, Shift+Tab moves backward through form fields, and Shift+Ctrl+Q signs you out. These work the same way as capitalization: hold Shift, press the other key or keys, then release everything together.

Some shortcuts may feel different because Chromebooks use the Search key (usually where Caps Lock would be on a traditional keyboard) instead of the Windows key or Command key. If you're coming from Windows or Mac, you may need to relearn a few shortcuts, but the Shift combinations themselves behave identically.

Typing in all caps without Caps Lock

If Caps Lock is broken or you prefer not to use it, you can capitalize every letter by holding Shift and typing normally. This is slower than using Caps Lock, but it works in a pinch. Hold Shift down with one hand and type with the other, pressing each letter while Shift is still held.

Some people find it easier to use Shift+letter repeatedly rather than holding Shift the whole time. Both methods work — choose whichever feels more natural to your hands.

Checking if Caps Lock is actually on

On many Chromebooks, there's a small light on the Caps Lock key itself that glows when Caps Lock is active. If your keyboard doesn't have a light, look at the bottom right corner of your screen — the system tray sometimes shows a Caps Lock indicator when it's on. If you're unsure, type a letter and see if it comes out capitalized.

If Caps Lock appears to be on but letters are coming out lowercase, or vice versa, your keyboard may have a hardware issue. Try restarting your Chromebook first. If the problem persists after a restart, the Caps Lock key itself may need replacement.

Using an external keyboard with a Chromebook

External keyboards — whether wired USB or wireless Bluetooth — work with Chromebooks exactly like they work with any other computer. The Shift and Caps Lock keys do the same thing. If you're using a keyboard designed for Windows or Mac, all the letter keys and Shift behavior remain unchanged; only some of the special function keys may work differently.

When you first connect a Bluetooth keyboard, your Chromebook may ask you to confirm the pairing. Once paired, the keyboard will reconnect automatically the next time you turn it on, as long as it's in range and powered on. If a keyboard stops responding, try turning it off and back on, or disconnecting and reconnecting it through Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Chromebook type lowercase even when I hold Shift?

The Shift key may be physically stuck or not making proper contact with the keyboard. Try pressing Shift several times firmly, or restart your Chromebook to reset the keyboard state. If you're using an external keyboard, disconnect and reconnect it. If the problem continues, the Shift key may need replacement.

Can I remap Caps Lock to do something else on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks have limited keyboard remapping options compared to Windows or Mac. You can't easily reassign Caps Lock through settings. If you need custom keyboard behavior, you may need to use a third-party tool or extension, though most Chromebook users straightforward use the keyboard as designed.

What if my external keyboard's Shift key works but the Chromebook's built-in Shift doesn't?

This suggests the built-in keyboard has a hardware issue — the Shift key itself may be broken or disconnected. Since Chromebook keyboards are usually not user-replaceable, you may need to contact the manufacturer or a repair service. In the meantime, using an external keyboard will let you continue working normally.

Does Chromebook have a sticky keys feature like Windows?

Chromebooks don't have a built-in sticky keys feature that lets you press Shift once and have it stay active for the next keystroke. You must hold Shift while pressing the letter, or use Caps Lock for multiple capitals. If you need accessibility features, check your Chromebook's accessibility settings under Settings, then Advanced, then Accessibility.