How to quickly change the keyboard layout on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note laptops 4 It's a popular combination of performance and affordable pricing, but many users are faced with changing language layouts, a problem that's especially relevant for those who work with multiple languages at the same time or accidentally knock down settings. Unlike smartphones, where the language switching occurs in two touches, on laptops the process can seem more complicated due to the features of Windows. 11/10, pre-installed on these devices.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to change layouts, from standard methods through the control panel to the use of hotkeys and third-party programs. We will focus on the nuances specific to Redmi Note 4, including problems with keyboard drivers and language package conflicts. If you just purchased this laptop or faced an unexpected failure, our instructions will help you return everything to working condition without contacting the service center.

1. Standard method: changing the layout through the taskbar

The most obvious and quickest method is to use the language bar in the lower right corner of the screen. Redmi Note 4 has Windows 11 (or 10 in some versions) installed by default, where this process is as simple as possible.

Click on the current language indicator in the taskbar (e.g. RUS or RUS). ENG). In the menu that appears, select the layout you want. If the language you want is missing, click on Language preferences and add it via Add Language.

• 🔹 Advantage: does not require reboot or administrator rights.
• 🔹 Disadvantage: If the taskbar is hidden, access to the menu is difficult.
• 🔹 Nuance for Redmi Note 4: on some firmware, the language indicator may not display correctly due to Synaptics drivers.

⚠️ Note: If the characters on the keyboard do not match the selected language after changing the layout (for example, when typing Russian, numbers are displayed), check the Regional Standards settings in the control panel.

2 Hot Keys: How to Switch the layout in one click

By default, the combination Alt is fixed in Windows to change the language + Shift or Win + On the Redmi Note 4, these combinations work consistently, but can sometimes conflict with Xiaomi's proprietary utilities, such as the Mi Hotkey.

To change or add a keyboard combination:

1. Open the settings. → Time and language → Language and region.
2. Select the keyboard. → Additional keyboard settings.
3. In the section Keyboard Combinations for input languages, click Change keyboard shortcuts.
4. Assign a convenient combination (for example, Ctrl) + Shift).

If the hot keys don’t work, check:

• 🔧 Availability of updates for Xiaomi PC Manager (often blocks system combinations).
• 🔧 Disabling conflicting programs through Task Manager.
• 🔧 Correct installation of keyboard drivers (more on this in the next section).

3. Keyboard drivers problems: why layout doesn't change

One of the common causes of a broken layout change on Redmi Note 4 is the incorrect keyboard drivers. The laptop is equipped with a backlit keyboard and multimedia keys that require special software. If after updating Windows or resetting the layout stopped switching, follow the following steps:

Step 1. Check the current driver:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Open the keyboard branch.
3. If there is an exclamation point next to the device, the driver requires an update.

Step 2. Install the official driver:

• 📥 Download the latest version from the official Xiaomi website (section Redmi Note 4) → Drivers).
• 🔄 Remove the old driver through Device Manager (right click) → Remove the device).
• 🔧 Install a new driver and restart your laptop.

4. Adding a new language: if the required layout is not in the list

If the required layout (for example, Ukrainian, Kazakh or Belarusian Latin) is not in the system, you need to add it manually. On the Redmi Note 4, this process is standard, but there are nuances with support for rare languages.

Instructions for addition:

1. Open the settings. → Time and language → Language and region.
2. Click Add language and select the one you want from the list (e.g. Belarusian).
3. After installing the language, open its settings and add additional layouts (for example, Belarusian – Latin).
4. Make sure the language is added to the taskbar (right click on the indicator) → Settings).

For rare languages (such as Tatar or Chukchi) it may be necessary to:

• 🌍 Installation of language package through Microsoft Store.
• 📦 Use of third-party software like KeyRocket or Punto Switcher.
• 🔧 Manual addition of layout through the registry (for experienced users).

5. resetting the language settings to factory: if nothing helps

If all attempts to change the layout have failed, the last option is to reset the language settings to the factory settings, which will help in cases where:

• 🔄 After the Windows update, all languages except English disappeared.
• 🔧 Language settings are blocked by group policies (relevant for corporate laptops).
• 💻 The keyboard gives out incorrect characters regardless of the layout chosen.

For discharge:

1. Open Options → Applications → Applications and Opportunities.
2. Find the language settings in the list and select Additional options.
3. Press Reset (or Reset).
4. Confirm the action and restart the laptop.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will remove all added languages and layouts except system (usually English) and after the procedure, you will need to reconfigure the language bar and hotkeys, WPS Office in Chinese, their interface may be reset to English.

💡

Language resets are a radical method that should only be used after checking drivers and system updates, and 80% of the time, the problem is solved by reinstalling the keyboard driver or disabling conflicting utilities.

6. Alternative methods: third-party programs and scripts

If the standard methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, which is especially useful for the Redmi Note. 4, where Xiaomi's proprietary software can block system functions.-3 programme:

1. Punto Switcher

• ✅ Automatically corrects layout when entering (e.g. ghbdtn) → hello).
• ✅ It supports over 50 languages, including rare ones.
• ❌ May conflict with Mi Hotkey (solution: add the program to exceptions).

2. KeyRocket

• ✅ Shows hints on hot keys (useful for beginners).
• ✅ Can switch layout by triple tap Caps Lock.
• ❌ Plugins for rare languages are installed separately.

3. AutoHotkey (for advanced users)

Script for automatic switching of layout by pressing Scroll Lock:

#NoEnv




SendMode Input




SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%





Switching the layout on Scroll Lock




ScrollLock::




Send #{Space}; Opens the language menu




Sleep 100




Send {Down}; Selects the following language




Send {Enter}




return

For use:

1. Install AutoHotkey from the official website.
2. Create a text file with the.ahk extension and paste the code above.
3. Start the script (it will work in the background).

💡

If the program does not start after installing Punto Switcher, add it to the Windows firewall and antivirus exceptions (for example, Xiaomi Security, if it is preinstalled).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even after setting the layout correctly, Redmi Note 4 users may face unexpected problems.

Mistake 1: The layout changes on its own

• 🔹 Cause: conflict with Mi Hotkey or Mi PC Suite.
• 🔹 Solution: Turn off auto-update these utilities or remove them.

Error 2: The wrong characters are displayed on the keyboard (for example, instead of "B" typed "/")

• 🔹 Reason: Incorrect settings of the Regional format.
• 🔹 Solution: Set the region of Russia in Parameters → Time and language → Region.

Error 3: Hot keys only work after rebooting

• 🔹 Reason: ctfmon.exe background service doesn't start automatically.
• 🔹 Solution: Add it to the boot through Task Planner.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions