When your keyboard starts typing “é” instead of an apostrophe on Windows 11, it typically indicates that the keyboard layout or language settings on your computer have been changed, often to a layout that uses accented characters. This behavior is most commonly linked to the Canadian Multilingual Standard layout or a similar input method. In this guide, I’ll explain the reasons behind this issue and provide step-by-step instructions to fix it. If you have Window 10 please read this
Understanding the Problem
1. Keyboard Layout Change
In Windows, keyboard layouts determine the characters you type when pressing specific keys. If you’re seeing “é” instead of an apostrophe ('), it’s likely that your keyboard has been switched to a layout that interprets certain keys differently. For instance:
- The Canadian Multilingual Standard keyboard layout maps the apostrophe key (
') to “é.” - This switch can happen accidentally, often due to a keyboard shortcut or an incorrect default setting.
2. Input Language Settings
Windows allows users to configure multiple input languages, each with its own keyboard layout. If you’ve enabled multiple languages or layouts, it’s easy to accidentally switch between them. For example:
- A shortcut like Shift + Alt or Win + Space can toggle between layouts.
- If the secondary layout includes accented characters (e.g., French), the apostrophe key might produce an “é.”
3. Sticky Key Settings or Input Issues
Sometimes, this behavior may result from sticky key configurations or keyboard hardware issues. However, this is less common compared to layout or language misconfigurations.
Steps to Fix the Issue
1. Check and Switch Your Keyboard Layout
To resolve the issue, first confirm the active keyboard layout and switch it if needed:
a. Use the Taskbar Language Bar
- Look at the bottom-right corner of your screen (Taskbar) for the language icon (e.g., “ENG,” “FRA,” or “CAN”).
- Click on the icon to see the available keyboard layouts.
- Select the correct layout for your preferred language (e.g., US English).
- If the issue persists, proceed to remove unnecessary layouts.
b. Keyboard Shortcut
You can quickly switch between layouts using:
- Alt + Shift
- Win + Space
If you see the keyboard switching back to a layout with accented characters, you may need to remove it entirely (explained in Step 2).
2. Remove Unnecessary Keyboard Layouts
To avoid accidental switching, remove layouts you don’t use:
a. Open Language Settings
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to Time & language > Language & region.
b. Edit Language Preferences
- Under Preferred languages, locate your primary language (e.g., English (United States)).
- Click the three dots next to the language and select Language options.
- Scroll to Keyboards and review the installed layouts.
- Remove any layouts you don’t use (e.g., “Canadian Multilingual Standard”).
c. Set a Default Layout
- Ensure that the US (QWERTY) or your preferred layout is set as the default.
- Test your keyboard to confirm the issue is resolved.
3. Disable Keyboard Shortcuts for Layout Switching
To prevent accidental toggling between layouts:
a. Advanced Keyboard Settings
- Go to Settings > Time & language > Typing.
- Click Advanced keyboard settings.
- Under Input language hotkeys, click Language bar options.
- In the new window, go to the Advanced Key Settings tab.
- Change the shortcut for switching languages or disable it entirely.
b. Turn Off Language Switching
- In the same window, uncheck Use the desktop language bar when it’s available.
- Apply changes.
4. Verify Regional Settings
If your system’s region is set to a country that uses accented characters (e.g., Canada, France), it might default to the corresponding keyboard layout:
a. Change Region Settings
- Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
- Under Region, ensure your country is set to the correct region (e.g., United States).
b. Adjust System Locale
- Type Control Panel in the Start Menu and open it.
- Navigate to Clock and Region > Region.
- Go to the Administrative tab and click Change system locale.
- Ensure the locale matches your preferred language.
5. Use On-Screen Keyboard to Troubleshoot
To confirm whether the issue is hardware-related or software-related:
- Press Win + R, type
osk, and press Enter to open the On-Screen Keyboard. - Test typing the apostrophe (
') key on the virtual keyboard.- If it produces the correct character, the issue is likely software-related.
- If it still types “é,” double-check your keyboard layout.
6. Reinstall or Update Keyboard Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers may also contribute to keyboard issues:
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Expand Keyboards.
- Right-click your keyboard and choose Uninstall device.
- Restart your computer; Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
- Alternatively, visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver.
7. Reset Windows Language Preferences
If none of the above steps work, you can reset your language settings:
a. Remove All Languages Except One
- Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
- Remove all languages except your preferred one (e.g., English (United States)).
b. Add Back Required Languages
- Click Add a language and re-add any additional languages you need.
- Ensure that the correct keyboard layout is installed for each language.
8. Scan for Malware or Software Conflicts
In rare cases, malware or conflicting software might alter keyboard behavior:
- Run a full system scan using Windows Security:
- Press Win + I > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Quick scan.
- Uninstall any recently installed third-party keyboard software or utilities.
9. Perform a System Restore (Optional)
If the problem started recently, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state:
- Type System Restore in the Start Menu and open it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system to a point before the issue began.
Why Does This Issue Occur?
The primary reasons include:
- Accidental Keyboard Shortcut Activation: Many users unknowingly activate layout-switching shortcuts like Shift + Alt.
- Default Settings in Specific Regions: For users in Canada, the Canadian Multilingual Standard layout is often pre-installed, which maps the apostrophe key to “é.”
- Unnecessary Layouts Enabled by Default: Windows sometimes installs additional layouts when adding a language, leading to confusion.
Preventing Future Issues
To avoid recurrence:
- Use a Single Keyboard Layout: Remove unnecessary layouts and set one as the default.
- Disable Switching Shortcuts: Turn off or change layout-switching shortcuts.
- Regularly Check Language Settings: Periodically review and update your language preferences.
When your keyboard types “é” instead of an apostrophe on Windows 11, it’s usually due to a keyboard layout or language setting change. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly identify and resolve the issue. Removing unnecessary layouts, disabling shortcuts, and verifying regional settings are effective strategies to restore normal typing behavior. If problems persist, consider updating drivers or performing a system restore. With these solutions, you can prevent this issue from disrupting your workflow in the future.