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I can't write "ę" - Polish character unavailable

Maynooth 10266 13
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  • #1 17065033
    Maynooth
    Level 9  
    Posts: 19
    Rate: 1
    I can't write "ę". I can get it. I hit e + right alt and got no result.
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  • #2 17065077
    mariuszp19
    Level 35  
    Posts: 2079
    Help: 310
    Rate: 407
    Maybe you can write something more about hardware and software?
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  • #3 17065081
    polmark2
    Level 18  
    Posts: 179
    Help: 31
    Rate: 15
    It probably clashes with some keyboard shortcut, e.g. from graphics card properties.
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  • #4 17065099
    terminux
    Level 23  
    Posts: 986
    Help: 23
    Rate: 166
    You can set the font where "ę" is not and other characters are. How quickly do you want to insert a letter and not think about the reason, copy it from some text and put it where it should be
  • #5 17065107
    DiZMar
    Level 43  
    Posts: 32219
    Help: 2869
    Rate: 6508
    terminux wrote:
    ... How quickly do you want to insert a letter and not think about the reason, copy it from some text and put it where it should be

    I think he did, assuming this topic:
    Maynooth wrote:
    I can't write "ę" ...
  • #6 17065131
    Maynooth
    Level 9  
    Posts: 19
    Rate: 1
    Lenovo Y70 Win 10 Hardware Nvidia Geforce GTX Card

    If I copy it to Word, I can edit, etc. I can only write
  • #7 17065146
    DiZMar
    Level 43  
    Posts: 32219
    Help: 2869
    Rate: 6508
    Maynooth wrote:
    Lenovo Y70 Win 10 Hardware Nvidia Geforce GTX Card

    If I copy it to Word I can edit ...

    More efficiently / faster if it is already in the notebook.
  • #8 17065161
    polmark2
    Level 18  
    Posts: 179
    Help: 31
    Rate: 15
    Can a capital "Ę" be written?
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  • #9 17065173
    Maynooth
    Level 9  
    Posts: 19
    Rate: 1
    big Ę yes !!!!
  • #10 17065188
    polmark2
    Level 18  
    Posts: 179
    Help: 31
    Rate: 15
    Well, that is probably some application uses the shortcut [alt] + [e]. It used to be common, and the culprit was CCC (Catalyst Control Panel) ... You have to look for and close applications in the background one by one, checking if it helped.
  • #11 17065518
    dt1
    Admin of Computers group  
    Posts: 47961
    Help: 7262
    Rate: 8187
    Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray uses such a hotkey - if you have a Broadcom WiFi card, it is worth checking out. If this is the case, disable this service in the services and this should solve the problem.
  • #12 17065626
    Maynooth
    Level 9  
    Posts: 19
    Rate: 1
    I do not know what I turned off and what helped, but ęęęęęęęę it works again. Thanks people for your support.
  • #13 17065725
    polmark2
    Level 18  
    Posts: 179
    Help: 31
    Rate: 15
    The question is whether the problem will not come back after restart?
  • #14 17065793
    sylweksylwina
    Moderator of Computers service  
    Posts: 13170
    Help: 1875
    Rate: 2336
    As the author does not know what he turned off, it is not known.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the inability to type the Polish character "ę" on a Lenovo Y70 laptop running Windows 10 with an Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics card. Users suggest that the issue may stem from keyboard shortcuts conflicting with background applications, such as the Catalyst Control Panel or Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray. Solutions include checking and disabling these applications to restore functionality. The author confirms that the character can be typed again after making adjustments, although the specific change that resolved the issue remains unclear. Concerns are raised about whether the problem will recur after a system restart.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Polish typing uses 9 diacritics; "There are nine additional letters with diacritics." If AltGr+E (ę) fails, close conflicting hotkeys and ensure Polish (Programmers) layout. Broadcom or CCC often hijack Ctrl+Alt+E on Windows. [Polish alphabet]

Why it matters: This FAQ helps Windows users on Polish keyboards quickly restore ę when AltGr+E stops working.

Quick Facts

  • ę = AltGr+E, Ę = AltGr+Shift+E on Polish (Programmers) layout. [Polish keyboard layout]
  • In Windows, AltGr equals Ctrl+Alt, so global app hotkeys can intercept it. [AltGr]
  • Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray is a known Ctrl+Alt+E hijacker; disabling its service restores ę. [Elektroda, dt1, post #17065518]
  • AMD Catalyst Control Center (CCC) historically bound [Alt]+[E]; closing background apps is an effective test. [Elektroda, polmark2, post #17065188]
  • One user fixed ę by turning off a background process and kept typing normally. [Elektroda, Maynooth, post #17065626]

How do I type ę and Ę on Windows?

Switch to the Polish (Programmers) keyboard. Press Right Alt (AltGr) + E for ę. Press AltGr + Shift + E for Ę. This mapping is standard for the Polish (Programmers) layout in Windows. Confirm the layout in your language bar. [Polish keyboard layout]

Why doesnt Right Alt (AltGr) + E type ę, but Ę works?

Another program likely captured Ctrl+Alt+E, which equals AltGr+E. Uppercase may pass if that combo isnt bound. Graphics utilities, WiFi trays, or overlays often register such hotkeys. Close background apps and test after each closure. Keep or reconfigure only non-conflicting tools. [Elektroda, polmark2, post #17065188]

What does AltGr actually do on Windows?

AltGr modifies keys to access third-level characters. In Windows, it equals Ctrl+Alt. "In Microsoft Windows, the AltGr key is equivalent to pressing the Ctrl and Alt keys together." Any program binding Ctrl+Alt+E can block ę. Disable or change that hotkey. [AltGr]

How do I find which program is stealing AltGr+E?

Look at startup tray tools and overlays. Close them one by one and test ę each time. Typical culprits include GPU panels and WiFi tray tools. How-To:
  1. Close tray utilities (GPU, WiFi, overlays) one by one.
  2. Test AltGr+E after each closure.
  3. Disable the found apps hotkey or its autostart. [Elektroda, polmark2, post #17065188]

Is Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray a known culprit?

Yes. Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray uses a conflicting hotkey. Stop or disable its service in Windows Services to restore ę. Users with Broadcom WiFi should check this first. This resolves the conflict immediately for affected systems. [Elektroda, dt1, post #17065518]

How do I disable the Broadcom hotkey?

Open Windows Services. Find the Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray entry. Stop the service, then set Startup type to Disabled. Reboot and test AltGr+E. Re-enable later only if you need that tray function. [Elektroda, dt1, post #17065518]

Does AMD Catalyst Control Center (CCC) block Alt+E?

Yes, CCC historically bound [Alt]+[E] and similar shortcuts. Exit CCC from the tray and test ę. If ę returns, disable CCC hotkeys or remove the component. Keep only software that does not hijack your needed shortcuts. [Elektroda, polmark2, post #17065188]

How do I add or switch to the Polish (Programmers) keyboard in Windows 10/11?

Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Add Polish, then add the "Polish (Programmers)" keyboard. Switch layouts with Win+Space or the language icon. Remove other Polish layouts if they cause confusion. [Manage keyboard input methods in Windows]

Why can I paste ę but not type it?

Paste inserts the character code directly. Typing depends on the active keyboard layout and unblocked shortcuts. If a program registers Ctrl+Alt+E, it intercepts AltGr+E. Activate the Polish layout and clear the conflicting hotkey to restore typing. [Manage keyboard input methods in Windows]

Quick workaround: how can I insert ę if the shortcut is blocked?

In Microsoft Word, type the characters Unicode code, then press Alt+X. This converts the code into the letter. You can also use Insert > Symbol or the Windows Character Map. These methods avoid global hotkey conflicts temporarily. [Insert ASCII or Unicode characters by code]

Which Polish letters require AltGr, and how many are there?

Polish uses nine diacritic letters: ą, ć, ę, ł, ń, ó, ś, ź, ż. Many keyboard layouts map these via AltGr. A single conflict can therefore block multiple letters, not only ę. Fixing the hotkey restores all affected characters. [Polish alphabet]

Will my fix persist after a reboot?

It persists only if the conflicting app or service stays disabled. If it autostarts, the problem returns. Disable the specific service or remove its hotkey to keep ę working after restart. [Elektroda, dt1, post #17065518]

What are the Unicode codes for Ę and ę?

Ę is U+0118 and ę is U+0119 in Unicode. Knowing the codes helps when using tools like Alt+X or Character Map. This also verifies youre inserting the exact characters required for Polish. [Latin Extended-A  Unicode code chart]

What resolved it for the original poster here?

They turned off a background process, and ę started working again. They did not identify the exact culprit. Use the close-and-test method to find your conflicting app and disable its hotkey or startup. [Elektroda, Maynooth, post #17065626]
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