10 Solutions for Fixing WASD and Arrow Key Swapping on a Computer

Advice for swapping WASD and arrow keys in Windows and Mac

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: March 18, 2025 Fact Checked

It can be frustrating when the WASD keys and arrow keys swap functions. Using the W, A, S, and D keys to move became a popular keyboard configuration for gaming in the 90s. Today it is the standard for gaming with a keyboard and mouse. There are many reasons the arrow WASD and arrow keys may be swapped. This wikiHow article teaches you how to fix your swapped WASD and arrow keys.

WASD and Arrow Keys Swapped

Unplug and plug your keyboard back in. Press the Fn with the key used to swap your WASD and arrow keys. Check for alternate profiles on your gaming keyboard. Update your keyboard drivers. If nothing works, you can remap your keyboard keys in the game settings or use a third-party remapping tool.

1

Unplug your keyboard and plug it back in.

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Unplugging your keyboard and plugging it back in is a good way to fix any errors you are experiencing with your keyboard. This will reset the keyboard to its default mode. Any modes or profiles you may have accidentally activated will be reset.

2

Try a different USB port.

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Some keyboards don't support USB 3.0. If you plug into a USB 3.0 port, your keyboard may experience glitches. Try connecting to a different USB port. If you're not plugged into a USB 3.0 port, try plugging into one.^{[1]
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3

Change the function mode.

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You may have accidentally activated an alternate function mode. You can usually change to different modes and functions by pressing the "Fn" key along with another key. The specific key combination you need to press to swap the WASD and arrow keys may be different from one keyboard model to the next. Check your keyboard user's manual if you need assistance. Try one of the following key combinations:^{[2]
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- Fn + W.
- Fn + Win.
- Fn + Left Arrow.
- Fn + Esc.
- Fn + O.
- Fn + Q.

4

Check for different profile options.

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Many gaming keyboards have different profiles that you can switch to. If you accidentally switched to another profile, the key mapping may have changed. Check your keyboard for options that allow you to change profiles. If you need assistance, consult the user's manual for your keyboard to learn how to change profiles or if it's possible on your keyboard.

5

Check your keyboard language and layout.

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You may have set the wrong keyboard language or layout. Check your keyboard settings to make sure you are using the correct keyboard layout. Use one of the following steps to do so:^{[3]
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- Windows: Click the Windows Start and type "Keyboard." Click Edit language and keyboard options. Make sure the correct language is set. Click the icon with three dots (⋯) next to your language and click Language options. Scroll down and click Add keyboard. Select your correct keyboard layout.
- Mac: Click the Apple icon followed by System Settings. Scroll down and click Keyboard in the menu to the left. Check to make sure you have the correct language next to "Input Source." Click Edit next to Input Source. Click the plus (+) sign in the lower-left corner. Select your correct keyboard input. Click the correct keyboard input in the menu to the left.^{[4]
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6

Update your keyboard drivers.

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Your keyboard drivers may be out of date. Generally, you can update all your drivers by updating Windows or macOS. However, you can manually install keyboard driver updates on a Windows computer. On Mac, you can only update your drivers by updating macOS. Use the following steps to manually update your keyboard drivers on Windows:
- Right-click the Windows Start button.
- Click Device manager.
- Expand the Keyboards menu.
- Right-click your keyboard driver.
- Click Update driver.
- Click Search automatically for drivers.
- Follow the prompts if an update is available.

7

Reinstall your keyboard drivers.

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Your keyboard drivers may be faulty. If you continue to experience problems with your keyboard, you may want to try uninstalling and reinstalling your keyboard drivers. MacOS does not have any easy options to uninstall keyboard drivers. While it is possible, it is strongly discouraged. Use the following steps to uninstall and reinstall your keyboard drivers on Windows:
- Right-click the Windows Start button.
- Click Device manager.
- Expand the Keyboards menu.
- Right-click your keyboard driver.
- Click Uninstall Driver.
- Click Uninstall.
- Follow any prompts to uninstall the driver.
- Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

8

Check for third-party programs.

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You may have third-party apps altering your keyboard layout. You can fix this problem by uninstalling any apps you don't use or recognize. Alternatively, you can prevent these apps from launching at startup. Use one of the following steps to do so:
- Windows:
  - Uninstall apps: Click the Windows Start menu and click the Settings icon. Click Apps followed by Installed apps. Click the icon with three dots (⋯) next to an app and click Uninstall. Follow any prompts to uninstall the app.
  - Remove from startup: Click the Windows Start menu and click the Settings icon. Click Apps followed by Startup. Click the toggle switch next to any apps you don't want to launch with at startup.
- Mac:
  - Uninstall apps: Open the Finder and click the Applications folder. Drag any apps you want to uninstall to the trash bin.
  - Remove from startup: Click the Apple icon followed by System Settings. Click General in the menu bar to the left. Click Login Items & Extensions and click the minus (-) icon next to any apps you don't want launching at startup.

9

Remap your keys in a game.

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If the problem is happening on a specific game, you may just need to remap your keys for that game. Most games have the option to remap your keys or change the keyboard layout in the Settings or Options menu of that game. Check the keyboard settings for the game you are playing.

10

Use a third-party keyboard mapper.

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If nothing works, you can use a third-party keyboard mapping to permanently change your keyboard layout. PowerToys by Microsoft allows you to remap your keyboard. You can also download SharpKeys from the Microsoft Store. On Mac you can use Karabiner Elements to remap your keyboard.