Disable Num Lock at Startup

The fastest way to stop Num Lock from turning on when you boot your computer is to change a single setting in your BIOS or UEFI firmware — the low-level software that runs before Windows or macOS loads. This setting persists across restarts and applies to every user account on the machine, so you only have to do it once.

Restart your computer and watch for a prompt during the boot screen — usually it says "Press Delete," "Press F2," or "Press F12" to enter Setup. The exact key varies by manufacturer: Dell and Lenovo often use F2, ASUS uses Delete, HP uses F10. If you miss the window, restart and try again; you have only a few seconds. Once you are in the BIOS menu, look for a section called "Integrated Peripherals," "Onboard Devices," or "Advanced." Find the option labeled "Numlock," "Num Lock," or "Boot Numlock Status" and change it from "On" to "Off." Save your changes — usually Ctrl+S or a menu option — and exit. Your computer will restart with Num Lock disabled.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling Num Lock in BIOS prevents it from turning on at startup for all users on the computer.
  • On Windows, you can also use the Registry Editor to disable Num Lock, but BIOS changes are more reliable.
  • macOS does not have a Num Lock key on most keyboards, but external numeric keypads can be toggled through System Settings.
  • If you only want Num Lock off for one user account, Windows allows you to set it off in Startup settings without touching BIOS.

Turn Off Num Lock in Windows Registry

If you cannot access your BIOS or prefer not to, you can disable Num Lock through the Windows Registry — a database of settings that controls how Windows behaves. This method works only for the user account you are logged into, so other users on the same computer will not be affected.

Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows Key + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter. Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard. Look for an entry called InitialKeyboardIndicators. If it does not exist, right-click in the empty space, select "New," then "String Value," and name it InitialKeyboardIndicators. Double-click the entry and change its value from 1 to 0, then click OK. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Num Lock will now be off when you log in.

If you make a mistake in the Registry, you can cause problems with your system. If something goes wrong after editing, restart in Safe Mode, open Registry Editor again, and change the value back to 1.

Disable Num Lock on an External Numeric Keypad

If you use a separate numeric keypad connected to your computer, you may want to turn off its Num Lock independently from your main keyboard. Most wireless and USB keypads have a dedicated Num Lock button on the pad itself — press it once to toggle Num Lock on or off for that device only.

Some gaming or programmable keypads let you remap or disable the Num Lock key entirely through software that came with the device. Check the manufacturer's website for your specific model and read the configuration tool if one exists. You can usually set Num Lock to stay off by default, or even reassign that key to do something else.

Handle Num Lock on macOS and External Keyboards

Most Apple keyboards do not have a dedicated Num Lock key because macOS handles the numeric keypad differently than Windows does. If you connect an external Windows keyboard or a numeric keypad to a Mac, the Num Lock key will work, but macOS does not have a system-wide setting to disable it at startup the way Windows does.

To turn off Num Lock on an external keypad connected to a Mac, straightforward press the Num Lock key on the keypad itself. If you want the keypad to start with Num Lock off every time you connect it, you will need to press the key manually after plugging it in. Some third-party keypad manufacturers offer Mac-compatible software that can set a default state; check the product manual or support page for your specific device.

Why Num Lock Keeps Turning Back On

Even after you disable Num Lock, it may turn back on if your computer restarts unexpectedly or if Windows updates reset your settings. This happens because some updates revert BIOS changes or Registry edits to their defaults. If Num Lock keeps reappearing, check your BIOS setting again after any major Windows update, or use a third-party utility designed to lock Num Lock in the off position.

Some older keyboards have a hardware issue where the Num Lock key gets stuck in the pressed position, making it impossible to turn off. If you suspect this, try a different keyboard to confirm the problem is the hardware and not your computer's settings. If it is the keyboard, the key or the entire keyboard will need to be replaced.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Toggle Num Lock Quickly

If you want to keep Num Lock available but just need to turn it off and on without reaching for the key, you can set up a keyboard shortcut. On Windows, open the Ease of Access settings, go to "Keyboard," and look for "Toggle Num Lock." You can set it to set up with a specific key combination, such as Alt + Num Lock or Shift + Num Lock. This lets you control Num Lock without moving your hands from the main keyboard.

On macOS, you can use the Keyboard section of System Settings to remap keys on an external keyboard. Select the external keyboard, click "Modifier Keys," and reassign the Num Lock key to a different function or disable it entirely. This setting applies only to that specific keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Num Lock in BIOS affect my ability to use the numeric keypad?

No. Disabling Num Lock only changes the default state when your computer starts. You can still press the Num Lock key at any time to turn it back on and use the numeric keypad for numbers. The keypad will work for arrow keys and other functions when Num Lock is off.

Can I disable Num Lock for just one user account without changing BIOS?

Yes. Use the Registry Editor method described above, which affects only the account you are logged into. Other users on the same computer will see Num Lock turn on at startup unless they also change their own Registry settings.

What if I do not see the Num Lock option in my BIOS?

Not all computers have this setting in BIOS. If you cannot find it, use the Registry Editor method on Windows, or straightforward press Num Lock once after each startup to turn it off. You can also check your computer manufacturer's support page for your specific model to see if the option exists.

Does disabling Num Lock slow down my computer?

No. Changing the Num Lock setting has no effect on your computer's performance or speed. It only changes which keys are active on the numeric keypad when you start up.

Can I disable Num Lock on a laptop keyboard?

Most laptops do not have a dedicated Num Lock key on the main keyboard. If your laptop has one, you can disable it using the same BIOS or Registry methods described above. Check your laptop's manual to see if Num Lock is available on your specific model.