If you’re new to Chromebooks, one of the first things you might notice is that there’s no dedicated Caps Lock key on the keyboard. Instead, ChromeOS replaces it with a Search key (sometimes labeled as a launcher or magnifying glass icon). This design choice keeps the keyboard clean, but it can be confusing if you rely on Caps Lock for typing.
The good news is that Caps Lock is fully supported on ChromeOS, and once you know the shortcuts and settings, turning it on (and off) is easy.
Now, if you are here reading about how to turn on Caps Lock on a Chromebook, we assume you want a quick, reliable way to use it without guessing. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through all the working methods, step by step.
How Caps Lock Works on Chromebook
On ChromeOS:
- Caps Lock is enabled using a keyboard shortcut
- You can remap keys if you want a dedicated Caps Lock key
- An on-screen indicator shows when Caps Lock is on
Once enabled, Caps Lock behaves just like it does on other computers.
1. Turn On Caps Lock Using Keyboard Shortcut (Default Way)
This is the fastest and most common method.
Steps to Enable Caps Lock
- Press and hold the Search key on your Chromebook keyboard.
(It looks like a magnifying glass or a circle.) - While holding the Search key, press the Alt key.
- Release both keys.
Caps Lock is now turned ON.
To turn it OFF, press Search + Alt again.
When Caps Lock is turned on:
- You’ll see a Caps Lock notification on the screen
- Typed letters will appear in ALL CAPS
This visual confirmation helps avoid accidental shouting in emails.
2. Enable Caps Lock from Accessibility Settings
If you prefer using on-screen controls or have keyboard issues, you can enable Caps Lock from Settings.
Steps to Enable Caps Lock via Accessibility
- Click on the time in the bottom-right corner.
- Click the gear icon to open Settings.
- Scroll down and click Advanced.
- Select Accessibility.
- Turn ON Keyboard and text input options.
- Enable the Caps Lock option (if available).
This method is especially helpful for users with accessibility needs.
3. Remap a Key to Act as Caps Lock
If you use Caps Lock frequently, you can remap the Search key (or another key) to function as Caps Lock.
Steps to Remap Search Key to Caps Lock
- Open Settings.
- Go to Device.
- Click Keyboard.
- Find the Search key option.
- Change its function to Caps Lock.
After this, pressing the Search key alone will toggle Caps Lock on and off.
How to Turn Off Caps Lock on Chromebook
Turning off Caps Lock works the same way:
- Press Search + Alt again
or - Press the remapped key (if you changed it)
ChromeOS will notify you when Caps Lock is disabled.
Why Chromebook Doesn’t Have a Caps Lock Key
Google replaced the Caps Lock key to:
- Encourage search-based workflows
- Reduce accidental Caps Lock presses
- Simplify the keyboard layout
That said, ChromeOS still gives you full control if you prefer traditional typing behavior.
Common Caps Lock Issues and Fixes
If Caps Lock doesn’t work:
- Make sure you’re using the correct shortcut
- Restart your Chromebook
- Check keyboard remapping settings
- Test Caps Lock in Guest Mode
On managed Chromebooks, key remapping may be restricted.
Caps Lock Indicator Not Showing?
If you don’t see a Caps Lock notification:
- Check ChromeOS updates
- Restart your device
- Make sure system notifications are enabled
Caps Lock should still work even if the indicator doesn’t appear.
Who Should Remap Caps Lock on Chromebook?
Remapping is useful if you:
- Write a lot in uppercase
- Work with coding or data entry
- Prefer traditional keyboard layouts
- Frequently hit Search by mistake
For casual users, the default shortcut is usually enough.
Wrapping Up
With that, we wrap up our detailed guide on how to turn on Caps Lock on a Chromebook. While ChromeOS doesn’t include a dedicated Caps Lock key, the shortcut and remapping options make it just as easy to use.
Once you get used to the Search + Alt shortcut—or remap the key entirely—Caps Lock becomes second nature. We hope this guide helped you enable and use Caps Lock confidently on your Chromebook.
