Why is My Keyboard Typing “é” Instead of an Apostrophe?

If you’ve ever encountered the issue where your keyboard types the letter “é” instead of an apostrophe (‘), you’re likely dealing with an unintended keyboard layout or input language setting. This is a common issue and can be confusing, especially if you’re unsure why it started happening. Let’s delve into the causes, symptoms, and solutions to resolve this issue.

Common Causes of the Issue

1. Keyboard Layout Switch
   The most common cause of this issue is the accidental activation of the Canadian French (or another non-English) keyboard layout. Many operating systems allow users to switch between multiple keyboard layouts, sometimes unintentionally. The Canadian French keyboard layout uses the “é” character where the apostrophe key is typically found on a standard English (US) keyboard.
2. Shortcut Key Activation
   Some systems use specific keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Alt + Shift or Ctrl + Shift) to toggle between keyboard layouts. Pressing these combinations accidentally can switch your keyboard to a layout that uses “é” instead of the apostrophe.
3. System Language Settings
   If your computer’s default language or regional settings include Canadian French or another locale that uses an alternative keyboard layout, the system may default to that layout.
4. Software or Application-Specific Behavior
   Certain applications may override your default keyboard settings. For instance, word processors, text editors, or specialized software for language learning might enable different keyboard layouts temporarily.
5. Keyboard Driver Issues
   Outdated or corrupted keyboard drivers can sometimes cause unexpected behavior, including incorrect character output.

Symptoms

• Pressing the apostrophe (') key produces “é”.
• Other keys might also produce unexpected characters, such as “è”, “à”, or “ç”.
• The issue persists across multiple applications but resolves temporarily if you switch layouts manually.

How to Fix the Issue

1. Check Your Keyboard Layout

• Windows:
  a. Open the Control Panel or Settings (Windows + I).
  b. Navigate to Time & Language > Language & Region.
  c. Check the input method listed for your preferred language. For example, ensure it’s set to English (United States) – US Keyboard.
  d. Remove any unnecessary layouts, such as Canadian French.
• Mac:
  a. Open System Preferences and select Keyboard.
  b. Go to the Input Sources tab.
  c. Ensure your keyboard is set to U.S. English. Remove any additional layouts that may be causing the issue.
• Linux:
  a. Open Settings and navigate to Keyboard or Region and Language.
  b. Verify and adjust the keyboard layout.

2. Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Toggle Layouts

• If you suspect the layout changed due to a shortcut:
  • On Windows, press Alt + Shift or Windows + Spacebar to cycle through available layouts.
  • On Mac, press Command + Space to toggle input sources.
• Test your keys after toggling to see if the issue resolves.

3. Disable Unwanted Keyboard Layouts

• On Windows:
  a. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.
  b. Select your preferred language and click on Options.
  c. Under Keyboards, remove unnecessary layouts like Canadian French or Multilingual Standard.
• On Mac:
  a. In the Keyboard settings, remove all unnecessary input sources, keeping only your primary layout.

4. Update or Reinstall Keyboard Drivers

• Outdated drivers can cause input issues. Update them through the Device Manager:
  a. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  b. Expand the Keyboards section.
  c. Right-click your keyboard and select Update driver.
  d. If the issue persists, uninstall the driver and restart your computer. The system will reinstall the correct driver automatically.

5. Check Regional Settings

• Ensure your region matches your language preferences:
  • On Windows, navigate to Settings > Time & Language > Region.
  • On Mac, go to System Preferences > Language & Region.

6. Test on Another Keyboard

• If possible, plug in another keyboard to rule out hardware issues. If the problem persists, it’s likely software-related.

7. Application-Specific Solutions

• If the issue occurs in only one application, check its input or language settings. Resetting or updating the application might also resolve the problem.

8. Reset Keyboard Settings

• On Windows:
  a. Open Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.
  b. Remove all layouts and re-add only the desired layout.
• On Mac:
  a. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources.
  b. Remove and re-add the U.S. English layout.

Preventing the Issue

1. Disable Shortcut Keys for Layout Switching
   • On Windows:
     a. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.
     b. Under Keyboard > Advanced Keyboard Settings, click Input Language Hot Keys.
     c. Disable or change the shortcut.
   • On Mac:
     a. In System Preferences > Keyboard, adjust the shortcuts for switching input sources.
2. Lock Your Preferred Layout
   • Keep only one keyboard layout enabled to avoid accidental switching.
3. Regularly Update Your System
   • Keeping your operating system and drivers up-to-date minimizes compatibility issues.