The Alt Gr key is a keyboard key used to insert special characters , such as the euro symbol (€), the at sign (@), or the tilde (~). It is often located to the right of the space bar, next to the Alt key. However, sometimes this key malfunctions and fails to produce the expected character. In this case, how can you fix the problem and restore the functionality of the Alt Gr key? In this article, we will explain the possible causes of this malfunction and provide solutions.
What are the possible causes of the Alt Gr key problem?
There are several reasons why the Alt Gr key might stop working on your keyboard. Here are the main ones:
- A hardware problem
- A software problem
- A configuration problem
What are the solutions to repair the Alt Gr key?
If you have identified the cause of the problem, you can try the following solutions to fix the Alt Gr key that is no longer working:
Solution 1: Reinstall your keyboard driver
- Step 1: Right-click on the “This PC” icon on your desktop and choose Manage.
- Step 2: Next, click on Device Manager in the left column.
- Step 3: Expand the “Keyboards” category in the right-hand window and right-click on your keyboard.
- Step 4: Select Uninstall device and confirm.
- Step 5: Then restart your computer and let Windows automatically reinstall your keyboard driver.
Solution 2: Disable or uninstall any third-party programs that may interfere with the Alt Gr key
A third-party program, such as antivirus software, security software, or a keyboard customization utility, may be preventing the Alt Gr key from working correctly. To check if this is the case, you can try the following steps:
- Step 1: Start your computer in Safe Mode . To do this, press the Windows + R and type msconfig in the dialog box that opens. Then click the Boot tab and check the Safe boot box. Click OK and restart your computer.
- Step 2: Test if the Alt Gr key works in safe mode. If it does, this means that a third-party program is causing the problem.
- Step 3: Restart your computer in normal mode and open the Task Manager. To do this, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager.
- Step 4: In the Processes tab, locate any programs that might interfere with the Alt Gr key, such as your antivirus, security software, or keyboard customization utility. Right-click on each program and select End Task.
- Step 5: Test if the Alt Gr key works after closing each program. If you find the culprit program, you can disable or uninstall it.
Solution 3: Check and change your keyboard and language settings
The Alt Gr key may be disabled or its settings may be modified in your keyboard and language settings. To check and modify these settings, you can follow these steps:
- Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open Windowssettings.
- Step 2: Next, click on Time and Language and choose Language in the left column.
- Step 3: Check that your keyboard language is the one you want to use. If it isn't, click Add a language and choose the language that corresponds to your keyboard. For example, if you have an AZERTY keyboard, choose French (France).
- Step 4: Next, click Options next to your keyboard language and verify that the keyboard type is the one you want to use. If it isn't, click Add a keyboard and choose the keyboard type that corresponds to your model. For example, if you have a standard AZERTY keyboard, choose French. If necessary, you can always change your QWERTY keyboard to AZERTY !
- Step 5: Test if the Alt Gr key works after changing your keyboard and language settings.
How can I prevent the Alt Gr key from stopping working?
To prevent the Alt Gr key from malfunctioning in the future, you can take a few precautions:
- Clean your keyboard regularly with a soft, dry cloth or with a can of compressed air to prevent the accumulation of dust or dirt that could block the keys.
- Regularly update your keyboard driver via the Windows device manager or by downloading the latest version from your keyboard manufacturer's website.
- Avoid installing third-party programs that may interfere with the operation of the Alt Gr key or that may change your keyboard and language settings without your consent.
- Regularly check your keyboard and language settings in Windows settings and change them if necessary.
Summary table of solutions to repair the Alt Gr key
| Cause of the problem | Solution |
| Hardware problem | Check that the keyboard is working properly and is securely connected |
| Software problem | Reinstall the keyboard driver or disable or uninstall any third-party programs that interfere with the Alt Gr key |
| Configuration problem | Check and change keyboard and language settings in Windows settings |
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions from users experiencing problems with the Alt Gr key:
How can I insert special characters without using the Alt Gr key?
There are several methods for inserting special characters without using the Alt Gr key. You can:
- Use your keyboard's numeric keypad and type the ASCII code for the character you want to insert. To do this, press the Num Lock key to activate the numeric keypad, then hold down the Alt key and type the character code on the keypad. For example, to insert the euro symbol (€), type Alt + 0128. You can find a list of ASCII codes on this website: https://www.ascii-code.com/
- Use the WindowsCharacter Map, an application that displays all the characters available on your computer. To do this, press the Windows key and type “Character Map” in the search bar. Click on the “Character Map” application in the search results. In the Character Map, find and select the special character you want to insert. Then click the Select button, and then the Copy button. Finally, paste the character into your document by pressing Ctrl + V.
- Use keyboard customization software, which allows you to create your own keyboard shortcuts to insert special characters. For example, you can use AutoHotkey, which is free and open-source software that lets you write scripts to automate tasks on your computer. You can download AutoHotkey from this website: https://www.autohotkey.com/ To create a keyboard shortcut with AutoHotkey, you need to write a script that associates a key combination with a special character. For example, to insert the euro symbol (€) by pressing Ctrl + E, you would write this script: ^e::Send {€}
You then need to save your script with the .ahk extension and run it with AutoHotkey. You can find more information about AutoHotkey syntax and commands on this website: https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/AutoHotkey.htm
How do I change the function of the Alt Gr key?
If you want to change the function of the Alt Gr key, you can use keyboard customization software, such as AutoHotkey, which we mentioned earlier. With AutoHotkey, you can write a script that associates a different action with the Alt Gr key. For example, if you want the Alt Gr key to open Google Chrome, you would write this script:
<^>!::Run “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe”
You then need to save your script with the .ahk extension and run it with AutoHotkey.
How do I reset the keyboard and language settings?
If you wish to reset the keyboard and language settings to their default values, you can follow these steps:
- Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open Windowssettings.
- Step 2: Next, click on Time and Language and choose Language in the left column.
- Step 3: Click Reset next to Reset regional settings to Microsoft recommended defaults.
- Step 4: Confirm your choice by clicking Reset.
- Step 5: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
How do I enable or disable the Alt Gr key?
If you want to enable or disable the Alt Gr key, you can use keyboard customization software, such as SharpKeys, which is free software that allows you to change the functions of keyboard keys by modifying the Windowsregistry.
You can download SharpKeys from this website: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys To enable or disable the Alt Gr key with SharpKeys, you can follow these steps:
- Step 1: Launch SharpKeys and click the Add button.
- Step 2: In the window that opens, click the Type Key button under the From Key column and press the Alt Gr key. You will see the key code displayed in the box.
- Step 3: Next, click the Type Key button under the To Key column and press the key you want to assign to the Alt Gr key. For example, if you want to disable the Alt Gr key, press the Esc key. You will see the key code displayed in the box.
- Step 4: Click the OK button to confirm your choice.
- Step 5: Click the Write to Registry button to save the changes to the Windowsregistry.
- Step 6: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
How do I fix a stuck Alt Gr key?
Sometimes the Alt Gr key gets stuck in the pressed position and produces special characters every time you press another key. In this case, you can try the following solutions to unstick the Alt Gr key:
- Press the Alt Gr key repeatedly to try and unlock it.
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously and choose Cancel from the screen that appears.
- Press the Windows + L keys simultaneously to lock your session and press these keys again to unlock it.
- Unplug and replug your keyboard or try a different USB port.
- Clean your keyboard with a soft, dry cloth or with a can of compressed air to remove any residue that might be jamming the Alt Gr key.
Conclusion
The Alt Gr key is a keyboard key used to insert special characters, but it can sometimes malfunction. In this article, we've looked at the possible causes of this problem and solutions to fix it. We've also covered how to insert special characters without using the Alt Gr key, how to change the function of the Alt Gr key, how to reset keyboard and language settings, how to enable or disable the Alt Gr key, and how to fix a stuck Alt Gr key. But what if it's the Alt + Tab key that's stopped working? This key allows you to switch between open windows on your computer, and it can be very inconvenient when it's no longer usable. Fortunately, there are also solutions to fix a malfunctioning Alt + Tab key . We hope this information is helpful and that you can easily get your Alt Gr key working again. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them in the space provided below. Thank you for reading!
