Alt codes are one of the oldest ways to type accent marks on Windows — hold Alt, type a number on the numeric keypad, release. Simple enough. But when they stop working, it’s genuinely baffling because nothing seems to have changed.
Here’s a systematic look at every reason Alt codes fail, and what to do about each one.
1. Num Lock Is Off
This is the most common culprit by a wide margin. Alt codes require Num Lock to be active — without it, the numeric keypad doesn’t register as numbers, and the whole method falls apart.
Fix: Press the Num Lock key. If your keyboard has an indicator, confirm that it is lit. Then try your Alt code again.
2. You’re Using a Laptop Without a Dedicated Numeric Keypad
This one trips up a lot of people. Standard Alt codes don’t work on the number row across the top of your keyboard. They require digits from a numeric keypad.
Some laptops include an embedded numeric keypad that can be activated with Num Lock or an Fn-key combination, and an external USB numeric keypad may also work. If your computer has neither, use Character Map, the Windows symbols panel, or a suitable international keyboard layout instead.
Fix: Try the laptop’s embedded keypad or an external numeric keypad. Otherwise, use one of the alternatives at the bottom of this post.
3. You’re Not Using the Right Alt Key
On some keyboards and in some applications, only the left Alt key triggers Alt codes. The right Alt key (sometimes labeled AltGr) does something different — on certain keyboard layouts it’s used for special characters of its own, which can conflict with what you’re trying to type.
Fix: Make sure you’re holding the left Alt key specifically when entering your code.
4. The App You’re Using Is Blocking It
Alt-code behavior can vary among applications and even among different text controls. You might find that a code works in Notepad but fails or produces a different result in another application.
Fix: Test in Notepad first. If it works there, the issue is app-specific. Try pasting the character in from Notepad, or look for an alternative input method within your app.
5. Your Keyboard Layout Isn’t Set to US English
Keyboard layouts can affect the right Alt or AltGr key and other shortcuts, but traditional numeric Alt-code results are governed primarily by the applicable OEM or Windows code page and by the application receiving the input. A US QWERTY layout is not universally required.
Fix: Confirm the active keyboard layout and use the left Alt key, but don’t switch layouts solely to repair a numeric Alt code. If a legacy three-digit code gives the wrong result, use the correct four-digit, leading-zero code instead.
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6. You’re Using the Wrong Code Format
Traditional Windows Alt entry can use two related code-page lookups:
- Alt + number without a leading zero: Uses the applicable legacy OEM code page. On a U.S. OEM code page, Alt + 130 may produce é.
- Alt + four-digit number beginning with zero: Uses the applicable legacy Windows code page, historically called the ANSI code page. Alt + 0233 produces é in Windows-1252.
If you’re getting the wrong character, the code may come from a different code page, or the application may handle the input differently.
Fix: For common Western European accent marks, use the verified four-digit, leading-zero code. Do not simply add a zero to a legacy code: Alt + 0130 is not é. Use Alt + 0233.
🧰 Not sure which shortcut to use? Try our Accent Character Finder — type any letter and get the exact shortcut for Mac or Windows.
7. A Recent Windows Update Changed Something
If Alt codes stopped working after a Windows update, first recheck Num Lock, the active keyboard layout, the numeric keypad, and the application you are using. Do not assume the update itself changed Alt-code behavior.
Fix: If those checks do not solve the problem, consult Microsoft’s Windows release-health information for any documented issue affecting your Windows version.
Not on Windows? Here’s Where to Go
Alt codes are a Windows-only feature. If you’re on a different platform:
- Mac: Use Option key shortcuts — for example, Option + E then E gives you é. No numeric keypad needed.
- Chromebook: Enable the US International keyboard in Settings, which gives you access to accent combinations without Alt codes.
Both methods are covered in detail in our guide to typing accents on Windows and Mac.
The Simplest Backup: Copy and Paste
If you need an accent right now and nothing is cooperating, the fastest workaround is to copy it directly from a reference page. It works on every platform, every app, every time.
Need the full list of Alt codes for accent marks? See our Windows Alt Codes for Accents: The Complete List.
