Numlock key binding issue

using an iota 2110 combined laptop/tablet running windIows 10 home Ive recently encountered a problem where all of the keys which have an alternate numlock bindng {mostly listed below] no longer work at all unless numlock is turned on, i effectively cant use them except for their alternate number versiiiion

I have tried;

turning off numlock with both the numlock and FN+numlock keys

Restarting and hard rebooting the laptop

Cleaning the connectors between the two parts

Checking ease of access settings - mouse keys + sticky keys etc

Using device manager to remove +update keyboard drivers entirely

any ideas? I am hoping the problem is not hardware as the keys all seem to work for at least one binding - just not the one i need!


Keys affected- (by row)

u i o p
j k l
z x m . /