Where Is Num Lock On An HP Laptop? | Quick Access Guide

Guide / By

Num Lock on an HP laptop sits on the keypad or behind an Fn combo; if there’s no key, use Windows’ On-Screen Keyboard to toggle it.

HP notebooks come in a few keyboard layouts, and that’s why the Num Lock switch isn’t always in the same spot. On larger models, you’ll see a dedicated key above the numeric pad. On compact 13–14-inch units, the number layer is embedded into letter keys and toggled with an Fn shortcut. Some ultraportables don’t include a hardware switch at all; Windows can still flip the setting through its built-in On-Screen Keyboard (OSK). This guide shows every common place to find it, quick checks to confirm the state, and the exact steps that work even when the key is missing.

Find The Number Lock On HP Notebooks: Common Spots

Start with a short scan. You’re looking for “Num Lock,” “NumLk,” or a pad icon printed on a keycap. HP often prints secondary functions in a contrasting color (blue, orange, or white). Here are the usual locations:

  • Full-size 15–17″ models with a right-side pad: Look at the top-left of the numeric pad cluster. The switch is often its own key labeled Num Lock or NumLk. Some versions include a tiny status LED on the key.
  • Compact keyboards without a separate pad: Check the top row or the right side of the board for a shared key. You’ll press Fn plus that labeled key to toggle the number layer.
  • Convertible and ultra-thin designs: No printed switch at all. Use the Windows On-Screen Keyboard or a settings toggle to turn the number layer on.

Quick Ways To Turn It On Or Off

Method 1: Press The Dedicated Key

  1. Tap the key labeled Num Lock or NumLk near the numeric pad.
  2. Watch for a tiny light on the key or try typing into a text field: numbers should appear instead of arrow actions.

Method 2: Use The Fn Combo When The Label Is A Secondary Function

  1. Find the key with a small pad icon or the text “NumLk.”
  2. Hold Fn, then press that key once. On some layouts, the shared spot might be on keys like F11, Scroll, or a right-side letter. The printed legend is the clue.
  3. Type into a notes app. If the cursor moves instead of typing numbers, repeat the combo to switch back.

Tip: If you can’t spot the symbol, shine a phone flashlight across the caps at an angle; the secondary print pops into view on matte keyboards.

Method 3: Toggle With Windows’ On-Screen Keyboard

This works on every HP model, including units without any hardware switch. It also helps when a firmware update remaps keys.

  1. Open the OSK:
    • Press Windows + Ctrl + O, or
    • Press Windows + I → Accessibility → Keyboard → turn on On-screen keyboard.
  2. Click Options if the keypad isn’t visible, check Turn on numeric keypad, then click OK.
  3. Click NumLock on the OSK to switch the state.

For Microsoft’s official reference, see Use the On-Screen Keyboard. HP also documents a direct OSK path for notebooks with integrated pads in its guide Enable number lock using the On-Screen Keyboard.

How To Tell If The Number Pad Is Active

Not every HP keyboard includes a status light for this switch. Use these quick checks instead:

  • Type test: Open a text field. Press 7, 8, 9 on the pad. If the cursor moves or the screen scrolls, the number layer is off.
  • Mouse Keys setting: If the mouse pointer moves when pressing keypad keys, the Mouse Keys accessibility feature is on. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse and turn that setting off, or set it to work only when the switch is engaged.
  • OSK indicator: With the OSK open, the NumLock key shows its current state.

Why Some HP Laptops Hide The Switch

Thin chassis and edge-to-edge layouts leave little room for a dedicated keypad. On these models, number entry is handled by an embedded layer on letter keys (often M through . and J through L). That saves space but moves the switch into an Fn combo or software. The upside: you still get a number layer when you need it. The trade-off: you’ll rely on the printed legend or the OSK to control it.

Step-By-Step Fixes When Numbers Still Don’t Type

Check For An Fn Lock Conflict

Some boards have an action keys feature that flips the top row behavior. If you suspect a conflict, open HP’s BIOS setup and review the setting:

  1. Shut down the laptop.
  2. Turn it on and tap F10 repeatedly to open HP BIOS Setup.
  3. Find the Action Keys Mode line. Switch it if your top row isn’t acting as expected, then save and exit.

HP documents the action keys toggle in its notebook guide here: How to lock or unlock the fn key.

Turn Off Mouse Keys

Windows can map the keypad to mouse movement. That makes numbers look broken even when the switch is on.

  1. Press Windows + I.
  2. Open Accessibility → Mouse.
  3. Turn Mouse Keys off, or enable “Only use Mouse Keys when Num Lock is on.”

Confirm With OSK, Then Retest

  1. Open the OSK with Windows + Ctrl + O.
  2. Click NumLock once to flip the state.
  3. Type into a blank document using the physical pad.

Copy-And-Go Shortcuts

When you need a fast toggle or you’re helping someone over a call, these are handy:

Windows + Ctrl + O    →  Open/close the On-Screen Keyboard
Windows + I           →  Open Settings
Settings path for Mouse Keys: Settings > Accessibility > Mouse

Model Clues That Tell You Where To Look

The table below summarizes common HP layouts and the most likely toggle. Use it as a quick reference when you’re not sure which method fits your unit.

HP Keyboard Type Where You’ll Find The Toggle What To Try First
15–17″ with right pad Dedicated key at top-left of the pad Press Num Lock; look for a tiny LED
13–14″ compact without pad Shared key labeled “NumLk” or a pad icon Hold Fn + labeled key once
Ultrabook/2-in-1 with no label No hardware switch Use OSK and click NumLock

Extra Tips For Smooth Number Entry

Pin The OSK For One-Click Access

  1. Open the OSK.
  2. Right-click its icon on the taskbar and select Pin to taskbar.
  3. Now you have a quick way to flip the setting on PCs with no printed switch.

Use An External Pad When You Enter Lots Of Data

USB and Bluetooth numeric pads are inexpensive, light, and give you a physical switch plus a familiar layout. They’re handy on the road when your work involves sheets or point-of-sale software.

Create A “Num Lock Check” Habit On Login

Some systems remember the last state, some don’t. After you sign in, press 7 on the pad in a blank field. If you see a “Home” action, flip the switch once. It’s a two-second sanity check that saves you from retyping a long ID.

Troubleshooting By Symptom

Numbers Act Like Arrows

That means the number layer is off. Toggle the key or use the OSK once and retest.

Numbers Don’t Type, Even With The Switch On

  • Close any remapping app: Tools that change key behavior can override the pad.
  • Turn off Mouse Keys: Head to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse and switch it off.
  • Test with OSK: If OSK numbers work, the issue is hardware or a remap.
  • Try another user account: A profile-level tweak can block entry; a fresh profile helps confirm.

No Printed Label Anywhere

Use the OSK method. Many slim HP units ship without a hardware switch, and that’s normal. HP’s own support path recommends the OSK to enable the number layer on integrated pads (see the official HP enable guide).

Frequently Missed Details

  • Action keys don’t block number entry: The top-row behavior (media versus F-keys) is separate from the number layer. You can still flip the number pad while using either top-row mode. If top-row behavior feels off after a firmware update, review the BIOS Action Keys Mode setting described in HP’s fn key guide.
  • OSK shows the state at a glance: Open it and check whether NumLock is shaded. It’s the fastest universal indicator on hardware without LEDs.
  • Mouse Keys can mask success: If turning the switch on still moves the pointer, the accessibility feature is mapped to the pad. Turn it off or set it to work only when the switch is engaged.

When A Replacement Makes Sense

If the pad works in OSK but not on the physical board, the internal keyboard could be faulty. Before replacing anything, test with an external USB keyboard. If that external pad responds, plan a keyboard swap at your next service window. For detachable or convertible units, a replacement base or folio often restores the pad.

Recap You Can Act On Right Now

  • Scan for a labeled switch on the pad or a secondary “NumLk” key. Use Fn + labeled key if it’s a shared spot.
  • If there’s no label, open the OSK with Windows + Ctrl + O and click NumLock.
  • Turn off Mouse Keys in Settings > Accessibility > Mouse when the pad controls the pointer.
  • Optionally review BIOS Action Keys Mode if top-row behavior feels off.