220-1101 Question 3
Single answerKeyboard/keysA user reports that their laptop suddenly types numbers when they press certain letter keys. For example, pressing U, I, and O enters 4, 5, and 6 instead of letters. An external USB keyboard works normally. You need to restore normal typing on the built-in keyboard as quickly as possible without replacing hardware. What should you do FIRST?
- A
Disable Sticky Keys in Accessibility settings
- B
Turn off Num Lock on the laptop's embedded keypad
- C
Reinstall the keyboard driver in Device Manager
- D
Replace the built-in keyboard assembly
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
This scenario reflects a common real-world laptop support issue: the embedded numeric keypad has been enabled. On many compact laptop keyboards, certain letter keys double as number pad keys, and enabling Num Lock changes their output. CompTIA A+ Core 1 expects technicians to recognize common keyboard/key behavior issues and apply the least invasive, most efficient fix first. Standard troubleshooting best practice is to verify keyboard lock states and function-key toggles before moving to drivers or hardware replacement. Manufacturer documentation for laptop models often identifies the exact Fn+key combination used to toggle the embedded keypad or Num Lock.
- A. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Sticky Keys affects modifier key behavior such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt, and Windows key combinations. It does not cause letter keys like U, I, and O to produce numbers. This is a plausible distractor because accessibility settings can affect keyboard behavior, but not in this specific way.
- B. Correct.
Correct. Many laptops use an embedded numeric keypad that shares keys with part of the letter area, commonly including U, I, O, J, K, L, and M. When Num Lock is enabled, those keys can enter numbers instead of letters. The fastest first step is to toggle Num Lock, often using a dedicated Num Lock key or an Fn key combination.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A driver issue is less likely because the symptom is specific and consistent with an enabled embedded numeric keypad, and the external USB keyboard works normally. Reinstalling the driver is a more time-consuming troubleshooting step and not the best first action.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Hardware replacement is premature. The symptom strongly suggests a keyboard mode setting rather than physical key failure, especially since multiple related keys are affected in a predictable pattern. Best practice is to rule out simple configuration issues before replacing components.