Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Excel from Disabling Num Lock

Bushra Parveen Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a way to prevent Microsoft Excel from automatically turning off the keyboard's Num Lock key whenever the application is launched.

How to Stop Excel from Disabling Num Lock

Product: Excel for Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening the Microsoft Excel application to work on spreadsheets.
Observed behavior: The Num Lock key is automatically disabled every time Excel opens, disrupting the use of the numeric keypad for data entry.

Before you start

Save your current work and take note of any recent third-party add-ins you have installed, as you will need to restart Excel during the troubleshooting process.

Solution 1Recommended

Troubleshoot Add-ins Using Excel Safe Mode

Identify and disable the specific add-in causing the Num Lock issue by testing Excel in Safe Mode.

In many cases, the Num Lock key is disabled by a conflicting third-party COM add-in loading at startup. Running Excel in Safe Mode prevents these add-ins from loading, allowing you to isolate the problem.

Open Excel in Safe Mode

Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard while double-clicking the Excel shortcut. Click 'Yes' when prompted to start the application in Safe Mode.

Test the Num Lock key

Verify if the Num Lock stays enabled. If it does, the issue is confirmed to be an add-in.

Access Add-ins settings

Go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage drop-down menu and click 'Go'.

Disable and isolate the add-in

Uncheck all add-ins in the list and click OK. Restart Excel normally. Re-enable the add-ins one by one, restarting Excel each time, to identify which one disables the Num Lock.

Troubleshoot Add-ins Using Excel Safe Mode

Resolution: Once the problematic add-in is identified, leave it disabled or contact the add-in developer for a patched update.

Solution 2

Use a VBA Macro Workaround

If you cannot disable the conflicting add-in, use a simple VBA macro to force Num Lock back on when the workbook opens.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for a Stable Spreadsheet Experience

If Excel continues to disable your Num Lock key due to complex add-in conflicts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, robust spreadsheet environment that avoids unexpected keyboard behavior while remaining fully compatible with your existing files.

1. Download and install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your computer.
2. Open your Excel files: Right-click your existing .xlsx or .xls documents and select 'Open with WPS Office' to continue your work seamlessly.
3. Enjoy a stable experience: Use the numeric keypad freely for data entry, as WPS Spreadsheet handles your data efficiently without altering your system's Num Lock state.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Does not suffer from the automatic Num Lock disabling bug.Lightweight and fast startup without complex add-in conflicts.Familiar interface ensures a seamless transition with zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel turn off Num Lock when opened?

This behavior is generally caused by third-party COM add-ins, specific workbook event triggers, or macros that conflict with your keyboard state during the application's startup process.

Does reinstalling Microsoft Office permanently fix the Num Lock issue?

Reinstalling rarely resolves this issue because third-party add-ins and registry configurations often persist after a reinstallation. It is much more effective to start Excel in Safe Mode and systematically disable add-ins to locate the root cause.

How can I permanently fix this behavior without using VBA macros?

The most permanent fix without relying on VBA workarounds is to pinpoint the exact add-in causing the disruption via Excel's Safe Mode, and then either permanently disable that add-in or update it to a bug-free version.

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