The Enter key on HP laptops sits on the right of the typing area, above the right Shift on full-size models; its shape varies by keyboard layout.
New keyboard, new layout, same goal: press the key that confirms actions and starts new lines. On HP notebooks, the Enter key is always on the right side of the letter block. The exact shape and nearby keys can change by region, model size, and whether you have a number pad. This guide shows clear ways to spot it in seconds, explains layout differences, and gives quick tips if your keyboard is compact, backlit, or set to a different language layout.
Enter Key Location On HP Laptops: Quick Map
Start with the main letter cluster. Track your eyes to the far right edge of that cluster. The Enter key sits there, usually spanning one or two rows. On many HP models sold in the US, it’s a wide rectangle. On many models sold in Europe and some other regions, it looks like an upside-down “L.” Both send the same command.
How To Spot It In Under 5 Seconds
1) Use Landmarks Around It
- Right Shift anchor: Scan the bottom row near the arrow keys. The Enter key sits above the right Shift on full-size layouts.
- Quotes key neighbor: On many US layouts, the
' "key is to the left of Enter. - Backslash or hash nearby: On compact or region-specific layouts, a
\or#can sit near the top edge of Enter.
2) Check The Shape
Two shapes are common:
- Rectangular: A wide key on one row. Common on US-market boards (called “ANSI” layout).
- Upside-down “L”: Tall, spans two rows. Common on many UK and EU boards (called “ISO” layout). A taller shape gives a bigger target for your finger.
Both sit in the same neighborhood and perform the same action. For a deeper look at Enter-key shapes in standard layouts, see Microsoft’s keyboard shortcuts guide, which uses the same Enter behavior across layouts.
3) Use A Backlight Or On-Screen Keyboard
If the symbols are hard to read, tap the keyboard backlight key (often an F key with a glow icon) or dim the room. Need instant confirmation on screen? Press Windows + Ctrl + O to open the on-screen keyboard in Windows, then match the Enter symbol to your physical board. HP’s Windows models use the same Enter behavior as standard Windows keyboards (HP’s overview of keyboard shortcuts and special keys lines up with this).
What Changes By HP Model Type
Full-Size With Number Pad (15- to 17-inch)
These boards place a main Enter key at the right edge of the letter cluster and a second Enter on the number pad. The pad’s Enter sits on the lower-right of the pad, below the + key. Both keys send Enter.
Compact 13-/14-Inch Without Pad
No number pad, so you only have the main Enter. It still sits on the right edge of the letters. On some compact boards the key is slightly narrower; the landmark rule still holds: look above the right Shift.
Convertible And Detachable Designs
In tablet or tent mode, the physical keyboard can be disabled. If you tap Enter and nothing happens while folded back, switch to laptop posture or use the on-screen keyboard shortcut. HP notes that keyboards can be off in stand, tent, and tablet modes on select models; return to clamshell posture to type as usual.
Regional Layouts And Why Your Enter Key Looks Different
HP ships boards in many languages. Two global standards shape the Enter key:
- ANSI (US-style): Enter is a long rectangle. Left Shift is long. No AltGr.
- ISO (UK/EU-style): Enter is an upside-down “L.” Left Shift is shorter to make space for an extra key. Many layouts add AltGr for extra characters.
If your Enter looks taller than images from US guides, you likely have an ISO board. Functionally it’s the same. The logo printed on the key may show a bent arrow or simply “Enter.”
Enter Key Not Working? Quick Fixes
1) Confirm Windows Input Language
If the key sits where it should but acts odd, the input language may not match the printed legends.
- Press Windows + I → Time & language → Language & region.
- Move your preferred language to the top or add the one that matches your key legends.
2) Test With On-Screen Keyboard
Press Windows + Ctrl + O. Click Enter on the on-screen keyboard. If your app responds, the software path is fine; the physical switch may need care.
3) Check Sticky Keys And Filters
- Open Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard.
- Turn off Sticky Keys and Filter Keys. These can change how presses are handled.
4) Power Cycle And Reseat Peripherals
If you use a dock or external board, unplug it, restart, and test the built-in keys alone. A stuck external Enter can override input.
5) Clean Around The Key
Power off, then use a can of air to blow debris from the right edge of the letter block. Aim around the gap above right Shift and along the Enter edges. Do not pry the cap off unless the model’s service guide says it’s user-removable.
Shortcuts That Replace An Enter Tap
When Enter is hard to reach or you need one-hand flow, these moves help:
- Form submit with Alt + S: Many web apps accept Alt + S to send or save. Not universal, but handy in some tools.
- New line in chat fields: Shift + Enter inserts a line break without sending. Works in many apps.
- Ten-key Enter: If you have a number pad, the pad’s Enter mirrors the main one.
A Quick Tour Of Neighbor Keys
Backspace And Backslash
Backspace sits above the Enter neighborhood. On many layouts a \ key floats near Enter’s top edge. If your finger lands on \, slide right to hit Enter.
Quotes And Brackets
The ' " key often sits to the left of Enter on US layouts, while ] } sits above that. If you land on quotes, move one key to the right.
Where It Lives In Software Panels
Windows labels Enter in menus and dialogs. In many dialogs the default action has a blue outline; Enter activates that choice. In text editors, Enter starts a new paragraph. In spreadsheets, Enter accepts the cell input. If Enter seems to jump to the next cell sideways, check the app’s settings; many spreadsheet tools let you pick the direction of the move after Enter.
Why Some HP Boards Print A Bent Arrow
That bent arrow icon is a visual cue for “carriage return” and “line feed” from typewriter days. Whether your legend says “Enter,” “Return,” or shows a bent arrow, the key sends Enter in Windows. Apps can map it to confirm, submit, or start a new line.
Finding Enter On Non-US Language HP Boards
If your legends are in French, German, Spanish, or another language, the Enter position is still on the right edge of the letter block. The printed word might be different, but the placement and behavior match the layout standard for your region. If you need extra characters triggered by AltGr, those sit on other keys; the Enter position stays the same.
When Your HP Uses A Backlit Or Low-Contrast Print
Backlit keys can wash out in daylight. Tap the light control to bump brightness, or turn it off to read the print under bright light. The placement trick still wins: find the right Shift, then move one row up and one key right.
Common HP Layouts At A Glance
| HP Model Type | Enter Key Position | Shape / Nearby Keys |
|---|---|---|
| 15–17" With Number Pad | Right edge of letters; second Enter on pad (lower-right of pad) | Rectangular on US; “L” on many EU; near quotes and backslash |
| 13–14" Compact (No Pad) | Right edge above right Shift | Slightly narrower on some units; next to quotes |
| Convertible / 2-In-1 | Same spot; disabled in tablet posture | Use on-screen keyboard when folded; re-enable in laptop posture |
If You Still Can’t Find Or Reach It
Remap A Second Enter Temporarily
Prefer a thumb press on the left side? You can map Caps Lock, Right Ctrl, or a side key to Enter using a key remapper app. Keep one hardware Enter unmodified so you can reach it in BIOS or during sign-in.
Use External Gear For A Specific Task
If you enter data all day, a compact USB numpad adds an extra Enter under your right hand. Many fold into a backpack pocket. Plug in, and the pad Enter mirrors the main one.
Print A Mini Overlay
A small label or a clear keycap sticker on Enter helps in low light. Keep it thin so the key travel feels normal.
Quick Checks When Enter Won’t Respond
- Safe posture: Convertibles need laptop posture for the built-in board.
- Num Lock and Fn layer: These don’t change Enter behavior, but if another key seems off, turn layers off while testing.
- Windows test: Open Notepad and press Enter. If the caret moves down a line, the key works at the OS layer.
- App overrides: Some apps bind Enter to a custom action. Check in-app settings.
Hand Position Tips For Fewer Misses
Rest your right pinky near the edge of the letter block. Slide up for Backspace, down for right Shift, and inward for quotes or brackets. A small bump in speed comes from building that three-key triangle in muscle memory.
Recap You Can Trust
The Enter key lives at the right edge of the typing block on HP laptops. Shape and legends change by region, but placement and behavior stay consistent across Windows. When in doubt, look for right Shift, check the on-screen keyboard, and use the pad Enter if you have one. For deeper Windows behavior, Microsoft’s official shortcuts reference lays out how Enter behaves in common tasks, and HP’s own keyboard keys overview explains special keys on HP notebooks.