Change Keyboard Language Shortcut in Windows

This guide shows you how to change the keyboard shortcut used to switch between input languages and keyboard layouts in Windows 10 and Windows 11. By default, Windows uses Alt + Shift to cycle through languages, but you can set it to Ctrl + Shift, the grave accent key (`), or even disable the shortcut entirely if you prefer using the language bar. You’ll need a Windows PC with at least two keyboard languages or layouts installed to see the full effect.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
At least two keyboard languages or layouts installed (e.g., English and Spanish)
Administrator access (usually not required, but helpful if settings are locked)

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app. Alternatively, click the Start button and then the gear icon.
Go to Time & Language. In Settings, click on Time & Language (Windows 10) or Time & language (Windows 11).
Select Typing or Language. In Windows 10, click Language in the left sidebar. In Windows 11, click Language & region in the left sidebar.
Open Advanced Keyboard Settings. Scroll down to find and click Advanced keyboard settings. In Windows 11, it’s under the “Related settings” section.
Click Input language hot keys. In the Advanced keyboard settings window, look for the link that says Input language hot keys and click it. This opens the classic “Text Services and Input Languages” dialog.
Select the shortcut you want to change. In the dialog, under the “Hot keys for input languages” section, you’ll see a list like “Switch input language” and “Switch keyboard layout”. Click on Switch input language to highlight it, then click the Change Key Sequence… button.
Choose your new shortcut. A small pop-up appears. Check the box next to Enable Key Sequence. Then, from the drop-down menus, select your preferred modifier (Ctrl, Alt, or none) and the key (Shift, Grave Accent, or others). For example, to use Ctrl + Shift, select “Ctrl” and “Shift”. To use the grave accent key (the key below Esc), select “Ctrl” and “Grave Accent” (or “Alt” and “Grave Accent”).
Apply and save. Click OK on the pop-up, then click OK on the main dialog. Your new shortcut is now active.

Common Mistakes

Not enabling the key sequence: If you forget to check the “Enable Key Sequence” box, the shortcut won’t change. Always make sure it’s checked.
Using a conflict with existing shortcuts: Some apps (like games or design software) may already use Ctrl+Shift or Alt+Shift for their own functions. If you notice conflicts, try using the Grave Accent key instead.
Changing the wrong item: Make sure you select “Switch input language” not “Switch keyboard layout” unless you specifically want to change the layout shortcut. The two are often confused.
Not having multiple languages: If you only have one language installed, the shortcut won’t do anything. You need at least two languages for the shortcut to switch between them.

Tips

Use the language bar: If you prefer a visual method, you can enable the language bar in the taskbar. Right-click the taskbar, select “Toolbars”, and check “Language bar”. Then you can click the language icon to switch.
Use Win + Space: Windows also has a built-in shortcut Windows + Space that cycles through languages. This is separate from the one you just changed and can be used as an alternative.
Set a per-app language: In Windows 11, you can set a different input language for individual apps. Right-click the language icon on the taskbar and choose “Language preferences” to explore this.
Test your shortcut: After changing, open a text editor and press the new key combination. You should see the language indicator change (e.g., ENG to ESP).

Troubleshooting

If the shortcut doesn’t work:

Verify you have at least two languages installed. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & region and check your list.
Restart your computer. Some settings changes require a reboot to take full effect.
Ensure you didn’t accidentally set the shortcut to “None” in the drop-down. Revisit the steps and confirm the settings.
Check if another program is intercepting the keys. Close background apps (especially those with global hotkeys) and try again.

If the language bar disappears:

Right-click the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”. Scroll to “System icons” and ensure “Input indicator” is toggled on.
Alternatively, in the “Text Services and Input Languages” dialog (step 5), go to the “Language Bar” tab and choose “Docked in the taskbar”.

If the shortcut only works in some apps:

Some older apps may not support the new shortcut. Use the Windows + Space shortcut as a fallback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a single key (like Caps Lock) to switch languages?

Yes, but not through the standard hotkey settings. You can use third-party tools like AutoHotkey or PowerToys to remap Caps Lock to switch languages. However, this may interfere with normal Caps Lock behavior.

What is the default shortcut to switch keyboard language in Windows?

The default is Alt + Shift for switching input language, and Ctrl + Shift for switching keyboard layout (if you have multiple layouts for the same language).

Why does my keyboard switch language randomly?

This often happens when you accidentally press the shortcut combination. If you don’t want that, you can disable the shortcut entirely by unchecking “Enable Key Sequence” in the hotkey settings. Alternatively, use Windows + Space, which is less likely to be pressed accidentally.

How do I remove a keyboard language I no longer use?

Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & region. Click the three dots next to the language you want to remove and select “Remove”. This will also remove its keyboard layout.

Does changing the shortcut affect the on-screen keyboard?

No, the on-screen keyboard uses the same language settings but the shortcut applies to physical keyboard input. The on-screen keyboard will still switch languages when you click the language button on it.

Can I set different shortcuts for different languages?

No, Windows only allows one global shortcut for switching input languages. You can, however, assign a specific shortcut to a specific language by using the “Switch to” option in the hotkey settings, but this is limited to a few languages and not all.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →