Num lock is a key that is placed on the typical computer keyboard. It is also known as Num key, Num Lock, or Num Lk key. It is a kind of toggle key that enables and disables the numeric pad. When it is enabled, users can use the numeric keys, and when it is disabled, the keys perform other actions, frequently as directional keys. For example, if the num lock is disabled and you press those keys that are associated with it, those keys may work as arrow keys.
Num Lock or Numeric Lock is a key on the numeric keypad of most computer keyboards. It is a lock key, like Caps Lock and Scroll Lock. Its state (on or off) affects the function of the numeric keypad commonly located to the right of the main keyboard and is commonly displayed by an LED built into the keyboard.
The Num Lock key exists because earlier 84-key IBM PC keyboards did not have cursor control or arrows separate from the numeric keypad. Most earlier computer keyboards had different number keys and cursor control keys; however, to reduce cost, IBM chose to combine the two in their early PC keyboards. Num Lock would be used to select between the two functions. On some laptop computers, the Num Lock key is used to convert part of the main keyboard to act as a (slightly skewed) numeric keypad rather than letters. On some laptop computers, the Num Lock key is absent and replaced by the use of a key combination.
Typically, to represent the status of the num key, a LED light is placed on the button or the top corners of the keyboard. On the different keyboard designs, num locks are applied in several ways and starting to drop out of use on some smaller keyboard designs. Similar to the scroll lock and caps lock keys, the number lock is a toggle key. As older keyboards had fewer keys; therefore, a num key was introduced to offer extra functionality to the numeric keys. The key is also useful to change the main keyboard into a numeric keypad in some computers.
Generally, the number lock is separately founded on the keyboard. However, in some computers, this key may bring a function key and other key combinations as the num lock is enabled with the help of pressing a key combination in those computers. Also, by making some changes to the keyboard settings, the num lock can be turned on or off. This key is known as a clear key in Apple computers, which has a slightly different purpose as compared to the num key in MS-Windows-based computers. Clear keys are commonly used for numeric inputs and not for cursor control and are only used in full-size keyboards that have separate numeric keys.
The need for the num lock has decreased since the design of the keyboard has changed, and the separate numeric keypads and arrow keys have been included on the keyboard. But in most modern keyboards, they are still included for convenience because some people are habitual to use that function. Additionally, this key has been replaced with a combination key on certain keyboards, especially laptop keyboards.
Where is located the Num Lock key on an Apple keyboard?
An Apple Mac computer keyboard has no alternative set of keys and, the number pad only works as a number pad. Therefore, a Num Lock key is not available on the Apple keyboards. Instead of the num key, it has the clear key as shown in the below picture:
Where is the Num Lock key on a laptop keyboard?
The Num Lock key is founded on the same location on the laptop with a numeric pad, as shown in the below keyboard image. However, to make the laptop more compact, most laptop keyboards do not contain a numeric pad. Laptops having a Num Lock key and do not have a numeric keypad allow users to give numeric input or other through keys that are available around the Backspace key, as shown in the below picture.
Some laptops use two keys as one key; in this condition, you are required to use the Fn key with the second key that you want to use. For example, as compared to other keys, the Break, Scr Lk, and Pause are all blue and a different color, as shown in the given picture. If you want to use the Pause key, you need to press this key with the Fn key. Similarly, you can also use other keys that are with blue text. According to the example picture, you can press the Num Lk key by itself if you need Num Lock and can use the Scroll Lock by pressing Fn + Scr Lk key simultaneously.
There is no static placement for these keys on the keyboard when it began to come on the PC laptops. Maybe, your laptop does not contain the same location and configuration of these keys, as shown in the picture. However, all PCs have the same process to make use of these keys or follow the same steps declared above.
Keys affected by Num Lock
When Num Lock is enabled and disabled, what do all numeric keypad key does, below, is given a table that contains additional information about each numeric keypad key. For instance, when Num Lock is off, and you press the “8” key, it will arrow Up one line, and when Num Lock is enabled, and you press “8,” enters the number “8.”
| Key on the Numeric Keypad | Num Lock On | Num Lock Off |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | End |
| 2 | 2 | Down Arrow |
| 3 | 3 | Page Down |
| 4 | 4 | Left Arrow |
| 5 | 5 | Does Nothing |
| 6 | 6 | Right Arrow |
| 7 | 7 | Home |
| 8 | 8 | Up Arrow |
| 9 | 9 | Page Up |
| 0 | 0 (zero or comma) | Insert |
| . | , (comma) or. (dot) | Delete |
How to turn Num Lock on and off
Using the Num Lock key
To turn on the Num Lock key function, you need to press the Num Lock key given on the keyboard; press the key until you see the LED light turn on that is given above the numeric keypad. Similarly, to turn it off, you need to press the Num Lock key until the LED goes out. The Num Lock key functions are turned on until you do not press the Num Lock key again.
What if the Num Lock key is not founded on the keyboard or it is broken?
The keyboards that are on the laptops or some other smaller keyboards do not contain a Num Lock key. On the other hand, if the Num Lock key is non-existent, broken, or users are unable to find the key. Fortunately, Windows include a feature called the On-Screen Keyboard that helps users to overcome these kinds of issues. To do so, follow the given below steps:
- Press the Window key or click the Start button, or open the Run dialog box by clicking the Window + R
- Then, type OSK and press Enter to open the on-screen keyboard.
- After that, you will see an image of a keyboard, as shown in the below figure. Now you need to click on the Option key that is given in the lower-right corner of the On-screen keyboard window.
- When you click on the Options button, you will see a window shown in the below screenshot. In the window, you are required to ensure that the box “Turn on numeric key pad.” is checked and next to the click Ok.
- Finally, you will be able to see the Num Lock key in the lower-right corner of the On-screen keyboard window. You can use it to turn ON or OFF the Num Lock key function.
Why does Num Lock keep turning on?
Most computers keep each time turn on the Num Lock key automatically for the computer boots, as it is more chances to use the numeric keypad numbers in the boot mode. For instance, if you use the numeric keypad in the case to enter your login password (if it has numbers), you will be unable to enter the numbers and would fail without Num Lock being enabled.
