Fix toggling WASD and arrow keys in Windows 10
The W, A, S and D keys, also known as WASD, are a favorite among gamers as they are comfortable and ideal for gaming with a mouse on one side and WASD keys on the other. The WASD keys on most gaming keyboards have slight bumps and are printed in different colors on them. In almost all modern games, the default arrow key configuration is WASD. However, it gets even more confusing when there is a problem with replacing WASD with arrow keys, pressing any arrow key will change it to W, A, S, or D, and the alphabets will take on the role of the arrow keys. If you are also facing the same issue, you are in the right place. We bring you the perfect guide to help you solve the problem of toggling WASD and arrow keys.
How to fix switching WASD and arrow keys in Windows 10
Prior to gaming advancements such as 3D interfaces and numerous other features, the arrow keys were enough to play any game. Because arrow keys could not be used for all functions, mouse-enabled WASD keys quickly became popular.
- The WASD keys on the keyboard perform the same function as the arrow keys: W - up, S - down, A - left and D - right.
- It is mainly used by gamers, but it is fully customizable and other keys can be used instead of WASD.
- The main reason for WASD's popularity is its proximity to the horizontal numeric keypad, which is used in games to change tools, inventory, and many other functions depending on gameplay.
- Plus, it's conveniently located next to the Shift, Tab, and Esc keys, making it easy to quickly multi-task. Now let's understand the reasons behind switching WASD keys to arrow keys in Windows 10.
Why are WASD and arrow keys swapped?
Since most games and programs have the WASD keys set by default for arrow functions, closing or moving between certain programs can cause problems for the keyboard driver and confuse the system. Incompatible ports, an outdated keyboard driver, and several modifications to keyboard settings may be contributing factors in replacing WASD with arrow keys.
Here we have shown ways to fix WASD and arrow keys swapping issue on Windows PC.
Method 1: Reconnect the keyboard
As mentioned above, the USB port may be the problem if you are using an older keyboard that is not compatible with the current USB version. For example, a USB 2.0 keyboard will not work correctly with a USB 3.0 port. Or, the problem could be the USB port itself, which could be infested with dust or faulty wiring. So, the first thing to do in order to fix the problem of swapping WASD using the arrow keys, we advise you to change the port and connect it back to a USB 2.0 port or another port.
Photo by Vulan Sari on Unsplash
Method 2: Disable Alternate Key Settings
WASD keys toggled by arrow keys The Windows 10 issue can also occur due to inadvertently pressing keyboard shortcuts that change keyboard settings and functions. Try pressing the following keyboard shortcuts to restore the feature to normal:
Note. Press these keys on your keyboard at the same time.
- Fn + Windows keys
- Fn + Esc keys
- Fn + left arrow keys
- Fn+W keys
Method 3: Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter
The troubleshooter can identify any unknown issues and help resolve the issue. The problem with replacing WASD with an arrow key can also be fixed using the keyboard troubleshooter. Here are the steps to run the troubleshooter:
1. Press Windows Key + I at the same time to open Settings.
2. Click Update & Security.
3. Then click Troubleshoot.
4. Scroll down and select Keyboard, then click Run the troubleshooter.
5. Wait for the troubleshooter to find problems and apply the fix following the on-screen instructions.
Method 4: Update the keyboard driver
The problem of switching WASD and arrow keys can also be caused by an outdated keyboard driver. To solve the problem, try updating the driver. Read our guide to updating device drivers in Windows 10.
Method 5: Disable Browser Extension
The problem with swapping WASD and arrow keys may occur while playing online games in a web browser. Usually most games support WASD and they work like arrow keys. However, sometimes a browser extension can affect the default keyboard settings. In this method, in order to fix the problem of switching WASD and arrow keys, we will try to play the game in incognito mode or private mode, which is a browser mode in which no history or data is saved on the system, and disable/remove unnecessary web extensions , such as a browser widget for performing specific tasks.
Note. This method for fixing the WASD and arrow keys toggle problem is performed in Mozilla Firefox browser on Windows 10. The steps may be slightly different in other browsers.
1. Press the Windows key, type Firefox and click Open.
2. Press the Ctrl + Shift + P keys at the same time to open the tab in incognito mode.
3. Then start any game for testing. If the problem with replacing WASD with arrow keys still exists, then disable all web extensions as the next step.
4. Click the "Open application menu" button and select "Help" from the displayed list.
5. Now click "Troubleshooting Mode..." in the Firefox help window.
6. Click the "Open" button in the "Restart Firefox in Troubleshooting Mode" pop-up window.
7. Then click the "Open application menu" button and select "Add-ons and themes" from the list.
8. Click the "Extensions" tab in the left pane of the next window and disable the add-ons (such as Google Translate) in this window.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the difference between USB 2.0 and 3.0?
Answer Less power consumption and speed are the main differences. USB 3.0 is ten times faster than USB 2.0.
Q. How can I solve the problem with swapping WASD and arrow keys on a wireless keyboard?
Answer The methods are the same as mentioned above, with the only difference being that the wireless keyboard is connected via Bluetooth instead of a USB cable.
Q. What should I look for before buying a gaming keyboard?
Answer It depends on your needs and preferences, including factors such as size and style, key travel, price, wired or wireless connection, additional software, wrist rest, numeric keypad, etc.
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We hope this guide was helpful and you were able to solve the problem of toggling WASD and arrow keys. Let us know which method worked best for you. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to post them in the comments section below.