You know the drill. You try to type é or ñ, and nothing happens — or worse, you get a random number instead of the character you wanted. It’s one of those small frustrations that can derail your whole workflow.
The good news: this is almost always fixable in a few minutes. Here’s what to check, organized by platform.
Windows: The Most Common Culprits
1. Num Lock Is Off (Alt Code Users)
If you type accents using Alt codes — holding Alt and typing a number on the numeric keypad — Num Lock needs to be on. It sounds obvious, but it’s the most common reason Alt codes suddenly stop working. Press the Num Lock key and try again.
2. You’re Using a Laptop Without a Number Pad
Alt codes require a dedicated numeric keypad. Most laptops don’t have one, which means Alt codes simply won’t work — it’s not a malfunction, it’s a hardware limitation. The fix is to switch methods entirely. Try the US International keyboard layout or use Windows accent shortcuts instead.
3. Your Keyboard Layout Changed
Windows sometimes switches keyboard layouts unexpectedly — especially if you’ve added a second language to your system. Check the language bar in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar. If it shows something other than ENG, click it and switch back to English (United States).
4. AutoCorrect or the App Is Interfering
Some apps override keyboard shortcuts. If accents work in one program but not another, the issue is probably app-specific settings, not your keyboard. Try typing in Notepad first to confirm your keyboard is actually working.
Mac: What to Check First
1. The Hold-Key Method Isn’t Appearing
On a Mac, holding a letter key should bring up a popup menu of accented versions. If that’s not happening, it may have been disabled. Open Terminal and type:
defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool truePress Enter, then restart your app. The popup should return.
2. Option Key Shortcuts Aren’t Working
Mac accent shortcuts use the Option key — for example, Option + E then E gives you é. If these aren’t working, check whether your keyboard layout is set correctly. Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources and make sure you’re using a standard US or ABC layout, not a custom one that might remap the Option key.
3. The App Doesn’t Support It
A few apps — particularly browser-based tools and some productivity software — intercept Option key combinations for their own shortcuts. If accents work in TextEdit but not in your main app, that’s likely the issue. Try copy-pasting from a character viewer instead, or use a browser extension.
Chromebook: Quick Fixes
1. You Haven’t Set Up the International Keyboard
Chromebooks don’t type accents out of the box — you need to enable the US International keyboard first. Go to Settings → Device → Keyboard → Change input methods and add US International. Once it’s active, you can type accents using key combinations.
2. The Input Method Got Switched
If accents were working before and suddenly stopped, your input method may have changed. Look at the bottom-right corner of your screen for the keyboard indicator. Click it and reselect your preferred layout.
3. You’re in a Field That Blocks Special Characters
Some web forms and apps on Chromebooks restrict input. Try typing in Google Docs first — if your accents work there, the issue is with the specific site or app, not your Chromebook.
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Still Not Working?
If none of the above solves it, the simplest workaround is the copy-paste method — reliable on every platform, no setup required. Visit a page like Acute Accents and copy the character you need directly.
For a longer-term fix, consider setting up a keyboard layout designed for accents, or using an AutoCorrect shortcut so typing something like e' automatically becomes é. Both are covered in detail elsewhere on this site.
Looking for accent shortcuts for a specific language? Check out our guides on Spanish accents, French accents, German accents, and more.
Stop Googling accent shortcuts every time.