Switching your keyboard layout in Windows 11 can be a bit fiddly sometimes. You might add a language, but the keyboard layout doesn’t switch as you’d expect, or maybe it changes, but not quite how you want. Honestly, Windows can be a pain when it comes to getting your setup just right, especially if you’re juggling multiple languages or layouts regularly. The goal here is to make sure your preferred layout is active when you need it—no more accidental typing in the wrong language or fumbling with weird key positions. This guide lays out some practical tips to troubleshoot, customise, and finally get that keyboard behaving itself.
How to Fix Keyboard Layout Issues in Windows 11
Method 1: Double-check your language and keyboard settings
Sometimes, the problem isn’t with the layout itself but how Windows recognises and switches between them. First, head to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region. Make sure your preferred language and the related keyboard layout are added correctly.
- Under “Preferred languages,” click the three dots next to your language and select Language options.
- Look for the Keyboard section and ensure your desired layout (e.g., Aussie QWERTY, UK QWERTY, AZERTY) is listed. If not, click Add a keyboard and pick the right one.
- Remove any layouts you don’t need or switch between often to keep things tidy.
This helps Windows stick to what you actually want. Sometimes, if multiple layouts are installed but not properly set, switching can get a bit dodgy or default to the wrong one. Been there, done that.
Method 2: Use the language bar or hotkeys for more reliable switching
Another handy trick is using the quick toggle options. When you’ve got multiple layouts installed, Windows usually adds a language icon in your taskbar. Clicking this and selecting your layout makes sure you’re typing the right one. But that can be a bit slow, so hotkeys are worth setting up.
- Go to Settings > Time & Language > Keyboard.
- Scroll down and click Advanced keyboard settings.
- Turn on Use the language bar hotkeys for easier switching.
- Check or change the shortcuts—usually Alt + Shift or Windows key + Spacebar. Sometimes, these get clashed with other shortcuts or disabled, so give them a test run.
On one of my machines, I had to reconfigure those hotkeys because mixing languages with other apps can mess with them. Worth an experiment if quick switching is your thing.
Method 3: Reset and re-add layouts using PowerShell
If things still act a bit wonky—maybe your preferred layout won’t stick, or Windows keeps defaulting to the wrong one—a more serious fix might be needed. Resetting your language settings with PowerShell can clear out weird config issues.
- Open PowerShell as an admin (right-click the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
- Type the following to see your current language setup:
Get-WinUserLanguageList - If your preferred language and layout aren’t showing, create a new list with:
$LangList = New-WinUserLanguageList "en-AU" - And then apply it with:
Set-WinUserLanguageList $LangList -Force
Restart your PC after that. Sometimes, this clears up the layout issues—Windows can be a bit stubborn about updating settings otherwise.
Method 4: Check for Windows updates and language packs
Occasionally, everything seems fine but Windows has a bug or is missing some language files. Make sure your system is up to date—especially any optional language updates. Head to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Installing the latest patches can fix odd bugs, including language-related ones.
Also, in Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, click your language and see if you need to Download language pack. If it’s not fully installed, the layout might not behave right.
Method 5: Remove conflicting layouts and reinstall the main one
If you’ve got multiple layouts for the same language installed, Windows can get confused about which one to use. Try removing extra layouts and re-adding the main one from scratch. That often sorts out these issues.
- In Language & Region, click on your language, then delete any unnecessary layouts or languages.
- Add the language again with the right layout, so Windows works with a clean slate.
Because, of course, Windows makes things unnecessarily complicated sometimes. Once you tidy up the installed layouts, switching becomes way more reliable.
Summary
- Check your language and keyboard settings in the Settings menu.
- Use hotkeys or the language icon in the taskbar for quicker switching.
- If problems persist, reset your language setup with PowerShell commands.
- Keep Windows up to date and download any language packs needed.
- Trim down your layouts to the essentials for smoother operation.
Wrap-up
Getting your keyboard layout to behave just right in Windows 11 can be a bit frustrating at times, especially with all the background settings that can trip you up. But once you get the right combo of installed languages, hotkeys, and configurations, it’s smooth sailing. Sometimes, a quick reset and re-addition of layouts is all it takes to fix weird bugs. Hopefully, these tips save you some hassle. Just remember—Windows can be a bit overcomplicated about simple stuff like this, so a bit of patience goes a long way. Good luck fine-tuning your setup!