How to Fix WASD and Arrow Keys are Swaped

I will tell you how to fix the problem that the WASD and arrow keys are swapped

Swapping WASD and arrow keys: This is the common issue where the two WASD keys work as arrow keys and vice versa. It will make gaming and typing difficult with this issue. Sometimes, it happens that on many gaming keyboards, such as Redragon, you accidentally map a keyboard as “FN+W”.

This remapping is usually built into the keyboard, but software conflicts or driver issues can also cause the problem. Other causes include old keyboard drivers or malware, which can unexpectedly change the keyboard settings.

How to fix the problem that the WASD and arrow keys are swapped

Swapping WASD and arrow keys: This is the common issue where the two WASD keys work as arrow keys and vice versa. It will make gaming and typing difficult with this issue. Sometimes, it happens that on many gaming keyboards, such as Redragon, you accidentally map a keyboard as “FN+W”.

This remapping is usually built into the keyboard, but software conflicts or driver issues can also cause the problem. Other causes include old keyboard drivers or malware, which can unexpectedly change the keyboard settings.

In this article, we will discuss different ways to resolve this issue.

1. Keyboard Swap: 

First, before trying anything else, try using the “FN+W” keys to switch the keys back to normal. Many gaming keyboards, including Redragon, allow users to switch between WASD and arrow keys. Doing this can fix any accidental switching by restoring the usual key configuration. This can be helpful if the keys are mistakenly switched while gaming or using shortcuts.

2. Enable Touch Keyboard 

Enabling the touch keyboard allows you to check if the problem with the WASD and arrow keys is due to software or hardware. If the keys are working fine on the on-screen keyboard, the problem is likely due to your physical keyboard or driver settings.

• Right-click on the taskbar and then select “Show touch keyboard button” Enable Touch Keyboard in Windows 
• Click on the keyboard icon now displayed at the bottom right to enable the touch keyboard

Open On-Screen Touch Keyboard In case you are logged out of Windows 

Click on the Accessibility icon at the bottom right. Click on Accessibility Click on the On-Screen Keyboard option. Enable On-Screen Touch Keyboard from the Login Screen Use the touch keyboard to log in with your credentials.

3. Disable Filter Keys:

 Filter keys are a feature to rule out repeated key presses. Something useful for beginner typists or those with shaky hand habits. Sometimes this interferes with keyboard functions, causing the WASD and arrow keys to change unexpectedly. Try disabling Filter Keys and see if it resolves the issue.

• Right-click on the Start menu and type Settings. 
• Open Settings Go to Ease of Access.
•  Head over to Accessibility Click on Keyboard and look for Use Filter Keys on the right.
• Uncheck Ignore short or repeated keystrokes and change the keyboard repeat rate. Disabling Filter Keys in Windows Check if the issue is fixed.
•  If it is already disabled, try enabling it to see if that works.

4. Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter

Running the Keyboard Troubleshooter is a helpful step in troubleshooting your keyboard. It automatically finds and fixes common problems like incorrect key assignments or driver errors by scanning your system. This tool works silently to resolve keyboard configuration issues, often without requiring you to do anything else.

• Click the Start menu and type Troubleshoot Settings. 
• Open Troubleshoot Settings Select Additional Troubleshooters.
•  Click Additional Troubleshooters Search for the Keyboard Troubleshooter and click Run the Troubleshooter. 
• Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter The troubleshooter will automatically fix any keyboard configuration issues.

5. Update or reinstall your keyboard driver

 Updating your keyboard driver helps your system properly recognize keystrokes. An outdated or faulty driver can cause keys like WASD and the arrow keys to get swapped. Updating or reinstalling the driver repairs the communication between the hardware and software, which resolves driver issues.

• Right-click the Start menu.
• Select Device Manager. Launch Device Manager Expand the Keyboards menu.
• Right-click your keyboard driver and select Update Driver. When you click Update Driver, select Browse my computer for drivers.
• Click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer. 
• Select Choose a driver from a list of available drivers Select your keyboard driver and click Next to install.
•  Installing a compatible keyboard driver If the problem persists, right-click the keyboard driver and select Uninstall device.
•  Uninstalling the keyboard driver Restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed.

6. Reset your keyboard 

Sometimes, resetting your keyboard by changing the language settings can fix key-swapping issues like WASD and arrow keys switching. This forces the system to adjust its input settings, removing any unwanted remapping or conflicts. Switching languages ​​updates the default keyboard settings, which may resolve the issue.

• Right-click on the Start menu and select Settings.
•  Open Windows Settings Go to Time & Language. Navigate to Ease of Access
•  Click on Language in the left pane and change the Windows display language.
• If there is only one language or you only see an add button Add Language 
• Add New Language Select a new language and hit next to install. 
• Install Language Change Language and Exit will be applied afterward. 
• Change Language View the language settings again and switch back to your preferred language. Set the default language in Windows.
•  Check if the issue is resolved.

7. Remap Keyboard Keys: 

This issue may be caused by incorrect keyboard layout settings or a software glitch. Key remapping provides a simple solution. You can fix the swapped behavior of WASD and arrow keys by manually setting the function of each key. This ensures restoration to the correct layout, and any system scan conflicts such as driver issues or accidental keystrokes are rendered ineffective.

• Click the Start menu and type Microsoft Store.
• Open Microsoft Store Search for Microsoft PowerToys and 
• click Install.Install Microsoft PowerToys
•  If PowerToys doesn't open from the Start menu, navigate to:C:Program FilesPowerToysLaunch the PowerToys appOpen PowerToys and select Keyboard Manager from the left pane.
• Click Remap a key.Click Remap a keyUnder Physical key, select the key you want to use as a replacement.
• Under Assigned to, select the key that isn't working.
• Repeat for other keys as needed. Remap WASD keysNow, pressing the keys selected under Physical key will perform the functions of the WASD keys.

8. Restore your computer to an earlier time

If other methods don't work, restoring your computer to an earlier time might fix the WASD and arrow keys switch issue. This returns your system to a time before any updates or changes that may have caused the problem. It will only affect system files and settings, without touching your personal files, therefore this is an effective and safe troubleshooting step.

• Open Run with Win + R.
• Type rstrui and click OK. IClick Next
•  Select a restore point, and then click Next. 
• Selecting a restore point Click Finish. 
• Start restore process After the restart, check the keyboard.