Windows 11 keeps switching my keyboard

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the issue of Windows 11 automatically switching keyboard layouts, particularly affecting users who frequently utilize multiple languages. The user has attempted various solutions, including checking language settings in the "Language & Region" section and adjusting "Advanced Settings" for keyboard preferences, but the problem persists. References to external sources suggest that the issue may stem from keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+Alt, which toggle between languages. The user is exploring the possibility that the problem may be linked to Microsoft Office's handling of multiple languages.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Windows 11 language and keyboard settings
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Word and its language features
  • Knowledge of keyboard shortcuts, specifically Ctrl+Alt for language switching
  • Basic troubleshooting skills for software installation and configuration
NEXT STEPS
  • Investigate Windows 11 keyboard shortcut settings to disable unwanted toggles
  • Learn how to manage multiple language inputs in Windows 11
  • Explore Microsoft Office language settings and auto-correct features
  • Research user experiences and solutions for keyboard layout issues in Windows 11 forums
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for Windows 11 users, multilingual typists, and anyone experiencing keyboard layout issues in Microsoft Word or other applications.

nomadreid
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TL;DR
I use several language keyboards, and as I am typing with the English keyboard, the computer inexplicably switches to another language keyboard (mostly German, sometimes French), mostly in Word. I can find nothing appropriate in Settings (Language and Region) or anywhere else.
I have searched on the Internet for a solution to the above problem, without success. I don't want to get rid of the other keyboards (I need them), It happens more and more frequently. I find nothing appropriate in Settings>Language & Region, or anything else in Settings. It is mostly in Microsoft Word (Windows 11).
 
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Thanks, jedishrfu
jedishrfu said:
It suggests that the language may be wrong or tat you have some languages you're not using and to check its settings.
I use all five languages frequently. Each one is correct in its settings.
jedishrfu said:
ctl+alt causing a keyboard switch:

This allows one to toggle between languages, but when I switch the keyboards, I go directly to the list (old habits die hard) and don't use the toggle; nor do I accidentally use the toggle when the unwanted keyboard switch occurs (I paid attention to this, and it is not easy to accidentally use the toggle anyway).

However, that last site did give me the idea to go to "Advanced Settings" for the keyboard, where there is the possibility to list one's preferred default (override) keyboard if that is not first on the list. English is the first on my list, so this shouldn't be relevant, but I tried putting in English as the explicit default keyboard. That didn't work; it switched into German anyway.

So I am still at a loss. I lose a lot of time switching back to English.
 
Did you try to uninstall and reinstall the keyboards?
 
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Maybe it is not the Windows, but some part of the Office (or other software) is what trying to be to smart for its own good? Based on the languages of documents it touches? (Even just by preview, maybe...)
 
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Thanks, Hill. You are right, that should have occurred to me. So I started by uninstalling and reinstalling the German keyboard (because it is a lot more effort to uninstall and reinstall the "preferred language" English, so that is Plan B) -- so far that seems to be working, but if it switches again I will go with Plan B. So, I hope it continues to work. Thanks again.

Thanks, Rive, Yes, I suspect it is something trying to "auto-correct" which is just confused by my multiple languages. However, it does not look like a specific software, because the switch happened also in websites in which I was typing, so it looks more like Microsoft.
 
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