Symptoms
- Symbols appear instead of expected letters
- Punctuation keys are in different spots than expected
- Accented characters appear unexpectedly
- Recently changed language settings
Likely causes
- CommonWrong keyboard layout selectedChromeOS supports many layouts and can default to the wrong one after setup or an accidental change.
- CommonMultiple input methods enabled and cycled accidentallyA keyboard shortcut can switch between enabled input methods unintentionally.
- PossiblePhysical keyboard is a different regional layout than software expectsAn external keyboard's printed layout may not match the selected software layout.
What to do
- Click the shelf clock area or Settings and check the current input method/keyboard indicator.
- Go to Settings > Advanced > Languages and inputs > Inputs, and confirm the correct layout is selected and enabled.
- Remove extra input methods you don't need to avoid accidental switching.
- If using an external keyboard, confirm its physical layout matches the one selected in settings.
- Use the input method switch shortcut (often Ctrl+Space or Alt+Shift) to check if simply toggling fixes it.
- Restart the Chromebook if a layout change doesn't apply immediately.
When to call a pro
Not applicable; this is a settings adjustment.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.