9 Fixes For IME Is Disabled In Windows 10

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Input Method Editor is a program that allows the computer to receive data as its input. It enables you to enter characters, letters, and symbols of different languages all across the globe.

However, users have been reporting that IME is getting disabled and enabled on its own at times. Also, the IME might get disabled automatically after the system boots. Other than that, some users have also reported the IME disabled problem after performing a Windows update. 

This recurrent IME issue has been seen mostly with Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and a couple of other languages. If the IME is disabled, you can get stuck in the English language only with the “A” or “ENG” icon won’t let you switch languages. 

If you too are struggling with the IME disabled issue, follow the fixes given below to resolve the issue!

ime is disabled
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9 Ways To Fix IME is Disabled on Windows 10

Given below are 9 different ways to fix the “IME is disabled” problem on Windows 10:

  1. Enable The IME Icon From The Taskbar
  2. Enable Input Indicator From Taskbar Settings
  3. Change Input Methods From Language Settings
  4. Re-downloading The Additional Language Pack
  5. Copy Language Files From Old Windows Installation
  6. Bypass WSUS (For Domain-joined Systems) 
  7. Un-group Domain And Install The Additional Language
  8. Run The Keyboard Troubleshooter
  9. Reset Your Windows 10

Fix-1. Enable The IME Icon From The Taskbar

Many users have claimed that the Input Method Editor (IME) gets disabled on its own after a Windows 10 update is installed. This leads to the IME icon disappearing from your toolbar. So, if you can’t see the IME icon in the taskbar, follow the steps given below:

  1. Press the Alt + Shift keys. If that allows you to change the input language, IME is not disabled and all you need to do is re-enable the IME icon on the toolbar.
  2. However, if the IME icon is not present in the toolbar, right-click anywhere on the toolbar. Click on the Show touch keyboard button. This will enable the touch keyboard and the IME icon is supposed to back it up. 
enable ime icon on taskbar
  • If you can now change languages, as usual, the problem has been solved.
  • If you don’t use the touch keyboard, click on Show touch keyboard again to remove it.

Fix-2. Enable Input Indicator From Taskbar Settings

Your computer’s input indicator is pretty important when it comes to IME. If it is in the off state, you won’t be able to change the input language or even the keyboard layouts. Hence, you need to check out the Input Indicator once. Follow the steps given below to do so:

  1. Right-click on any space on the Taskbar and click on Taskbar Settings.
right click on taskbar and select taskbar settings
  1. Keep scrolling down the options of Taskbar settings until you find Turn System icons on or off underneath the Notification area. Click on it.
click on turn system icons on or off
  1. Now, look for the Input Indicator option. Once you find it, toggle it ON.
enabling input indicator

Fix-3. Change Input Methods From Language Settings

  1. Go to Windows Settings and select Time & Language > Region & Language
  2. Now, from the Language window, click on Advanced Settings from the right panel.
  3. Keep scrolling till you find Switching input methods. Mark the checkbox next to “Let me set a different input method for each app window.”
change input methods from language settings
  1. Now, click on Save and reboot your system. Check if you have managed to regain the functionality of IMEs.

Fix-4. Re-downloading The Additional Language Pack

  1. Press the Windows + R key to open the Run utility. Type in “ms-settings:regionlanguage.” Hit the Enter key and the Language section of Settings will show up.
  2. From the Languages section, click on all the additional languages that you don’t need and then click on the Remove button.
re-download additional language pack
  1. Once every additional language has been removed, click on Add a language. Now, re-add the languages that you removed.
  2. Wait until the Windows OS is done downloading the necessary components for the additional language. 

Once that is done, reboot the computer and check if the problem is gone. Press the Windows key + Spacebar to see if you can switch languages.

Fix-5. Copy Language Files From Old Windows Installation

Some users have reported that copying languages from a previous installation, has helped them, so you can try this out. If you have Windows.OLD folder or can access an old Windows version, follow the steps given below:

  1. Navigate to C:\Windows.OLD\IME\
  2. Now, copy the language-specific DIC files from the C:\Windows.OLD\IME\IMEJP location.
  3. You should be able to find three “.DIC” files namely IMJPTK, IMJPZP, and SDDS0411
  4. Paste these in the new installation folder located at C:\Windows\IME\.
  5. Once that is done, you’ll need to assign the IMEJP to the Administrator and give the Administrator full control of that folder along with its child folders and files too.

Fix-6. Bypass WSUS (For Domain-joined Systems) 

If your computer is Domain joined, you can try bypassing WSUS to try to enable IME. 

  1. First, you need to create a system restore point. 
  2. Once done, open the Run utility.
  3. Copy and paste the following location in the Run prompt: 

REG ADD “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU” /v UseWUServer /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

  1. Restart your Windows Update Service via the Services Manager.
  2. Next, visit the Time and Language settings, add the language once more.
  3. Open the Registry Editor and go to the following address:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

  1. Now, delete the UseWUServer or you can also set the value to 1.

Fix-7. Un-group Domain And Install The Additional Language

Another thing to try out is unregistering the domain for the time being. This will get rid of all policy restrictions on your computer. This, in turn, will get rid of the “IME is disabled” issue. But, you need to delete and add the language you want to switch to one more time.

Fix-8. Run The Keyboard Troubleshooter

Sometimes, the IME can cause trouble due to some glitch in the keyboard. To resolve the same, go through the following steps:

  1. Click on the Start button and choose Settings.
  2. Click Update & Security.
  3. Open the Troubleshoot tab from the left panel.
  4. Keep scrolling until you find the Keyboard option and select it.
  5. Select the Run the Troubleshooter button. Now, Windows will look for any keyboard and input-related problems and recommend solutions for the same. 
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooting process. 
  7. Reboot the system and check if the issue is gone or not.

Fix-9. Reset Your Windows 10

If none of the above methods work, you can resort to this last way to fix the broken IME. Many users have reported that a Windows 10 reset permanently solved the IME issue. However, resetting your Windows will also wipe out everything from the C: drive and remove your prior user settings other than the personal files. 

If you want to do it anyway, make sure you backup your important files to reduce the damage. Below are the steps to reset Windows 10: 

  1. Press the Windows + R key to open the Run prompt.
  2. Type in “ms-settings: recovery” and hit the Enter key. This will take you to the Recovery section of the Settings app.
go to recovery settings via run prompt
  1. Next, click on the Get Started button from the Recovery menu.
click on get started under reset this pc section
  1. Select Keep my files if you don’t want to lose your personal files. 
  2. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to reset Windows 10 and fix your IME.

Final Words

The IME getting disabled is not a new problem. There are hundreds and thousands of users who have faced this when it comes to using IME with secondary languages. Hopefully, the above tips will help you resolve the “IME is disabled” problem on Windows 10.