When your keyboard starts typing “é” instead of the apostrophe (‘), it’s typically due to a change in the keyboard layout or input language settings. This issue is most commonly caused by:
- Canadian Multilingual Standard Keyboard Layout:
- This layout replaces some standard keys, including the apostrophe, with accented characters like “é.”
- Accidental Shortcut Activation:
- Keyboard shortcuts might have inadvertently switched your input language or layout.
- Application or Autocorrect Settings:
- Specific software or apps might be overriding your standard keyboard output.
- Glitches in Windows Settings:
- Rare bugs or unintentional changes in the regional and language settings.
How to Fix the Issue on Windows 10
Step 1: Check Your Keyboard Layout
- Open the Settings app by pressing
Win + I
. - Navigate to Time & Language > Language.
- Under the Preferred languages section, select your primary language (e.g., English (United States)).
- Click Options.
- Under Keyboards, check if “Canadian Multilingual Standard” or another unintended layout is active.
- If so, select it and click Remove. Ensure “US Keyboard” or your intended layout is the default.
Step 2: Disable Language Switching Shortcuts
Sometimes, shortcuts like Alt + Shift
or Ctrl + Shift
can inadvertently change the keyboard layout.
- Go to Settings > Devices > Typing.
- Scroll down and select Advanced keyboard settings.
- Under Input language hotkeys, click Language bar options.
- In the new window, select Advanced Key Settings.
- Click Change Key Sequence, and either disable the shortcuts or set them to a key combination that you won’t accidentally press.
Step 3: Use the On-Screen Keyboard to Verify
- Press
Win + Ctrl + O
to open the on-screen keyboard. - Check if pressing the apostrophe key still types “é.”
- If it does, the problem is in the layout settings. If not, your physical keyboard might be faulty.
Step 4: Reset Regional and Language Settings
- Navigate to Settings > Time & Language > Region.
- Under Regional format, select your region (e.g., United States).
- Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
Additional Tips for Windows 10
- Update Drivers: Outdated keyboard drivers might cause unexpected behaviors. Update them via Device Manager.
- Check for Updates: Install the latest Windows updates to resolve potential bugs.
Preventing the Issue
- Lock Your Layout:
- Remove unused keyboard layouts from the system.
- Disable Language Hotkeys:
- Avoid accidental activations by turning off keyboard shortcuts.
- Regular Updates:
- Ensure Windows and keyboard drivers are updated to the latest version.
- Use a Standard Layout:
- Stick to widely-used layouts like “US QWERTY” for consistency.