Suppose you are using your PC in your daily routine, but suddenly you realise your Windows Key is not working. It is frustrating because you lost access to shortcut buttons, and now you can only use your mouse to complete your remaining task like a noob. This issue is very common, but it can be fixed within a few minutes.
Why is Your Windows Key Not Working?
It might not be working due to a keyboard driver crash, a faulty Windows update, a system glitch, filter keys, Misconfigured BIOS settings, or physical damage. Once you identify the root cause of this issue, you can easily fix it yourself. Here are the leading causes of this concern:
Corrupted Keyboard Drivers: If the keyboard driver is outdated or damaged, your PC may fail to detect key presses correctly.
Faulty Windows Update: Some Windows updates can accidentally break keyboard functions. Rolling back to the previous version will fix that issue.
System Glitches: Temporary system errors or background processes may interfere with keyboard input.
Misconfigured BIOS Settings: The BIOS may disable keyboard functions, especially on custom-built or gaming systems.
HotKeys: Some keyboards or apps disable the Windows key to avoid accidental use during games.
Physical Damage: Spills, dust, or wear-and-tear can cause keys to stop responding.
How do I fix the Windows Key not working on Windows 10/11?
First, restart your PC using the Windows restart button. When your computer shuts down, instantly press F2, F10, or F12 to enter the Windows BIOS menu. Inside the BIOS settings, click on “Reset Settings” at the bottom of the screen, and your system will automatically reboot to the default OS.
If you fail to enter the BIOS/Boot menu, it means your keyboard is not responding to the system. In that case, check for any physical damage or remove the dust stuck between the buttons. After cleaning, plug your keyboard into a different port and check whether it is working or not. If the problem persists, try a different keyboard.
2) Run System Diagnostics
You need to run system diagnostics to identify the issue. Here is how to do it:
Step 1: Go to Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot>Additional Troubleshooters.
Image of troubleshooter settings
Step 2: Scroll down to Keyboard under “Find and Fix Other Problems.” Tap on it.
Run keyboard troubleshooter
Step 3: Click on ‘Run the Troubleshooter’ and wait for a few seconds.
Troubleshooter is diagnosing the Keyboard
It will automatically find and fix problems with your computer’s keyboard settings. This built-in tool usually resets the keyboard settings. If your issue persists, try the next fix.
3) Update or Reinstall Keyboard Drivers
Updating or reinstalling your keyboard drivers will help you solve all keyboard key-related problems.
Right-click on the ‘This PC’ icon and go to Device Manager.
Opening the device manager
2. Navigate to the Keyboards section and right-click your keyboard device.
Device Manager displaying Keyboard drivers
3. Choose “Update Driver” from the top of the list and select “Choose automatically for Drivers”.
Searching automatically for drivers
4. Windows will fix corrupted drivers and apply fixes.
If you still cannot use the keyboard keys, uninstall and reinstall the drivers, then restart your PC.
4) Finish Windows Update
An outdated Windows version can cause Hardware glitches, so always keep your PC up-to-date with Microsoft Updates.
Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
Install any available updates, including optional ones (under View optional updates), as they may include keyboard-related fixes.
View optional updates in the Windows Update Center
Finally, restart your system after completing updates to ensure changes take effect.
5) Disable Hot Keys
The next step is to disable hot keys. Usually, games enable it to perform effectively and avoid disruption from another app. Here is how to disable it:
Type ‘gpedit.msc’ and press Enter to open Keyboard Properties.
Navigate to User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → File Explorer
Find the “Turn off Windows Key hotkeys” option and double-click to open properties.
Set the option to Enabled, click Apply> and then OK.
Note: Turning off hotkeys will stop shortcut keys from working, e.g, WIN+I
6) Turn off Filter Keys
The sixth method is to turn off Filter Keys. This is an accessibility feature that ignores brief or repeated keystrokes, but it can interfere with normal typing if turned on accidentally.
1. Open the Control Panel and move to the ‘Ease of Access’ settings.
Image of Ease of Access settings
2. Heads into the ‘Change how your keyboard works’ option.
3. Scroll down and uncheck “Turn on Filter Keys”.
4. Press Apply and then OK.
If the option were enabled first, the issue would be fixed. If it is already off, proceed to the next step.
7) Registry Fix
The next method is to fix the corrupt registry that disturbs keyboard functionality. Follow these steps to fix it:
Step 1: Open Registry Editor on your PC
Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout. You can copy/paste the address.
Step 3: Look for a Scancode Map entry (If it exists).
Step 4: Right-click and delete the entry, then restart your computer
This method will remove the Scancode Map that games create for better functionality.
8) Run System File Checker (SFC)
The 8th method is to run SFC to look for corrupted system files that affect hardware performance.
Open Command Prompt (cmd) with Administrator privileges
Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter
Wait for the scan to complete and restart your system
This repairs missing or damaged system files that might impact your keyboard.
9) Check Group Policy Settings
If you work in a school or office, the administrator might restrict your keyboard use through group policy settings.
Open the RUN dialog and type gpedit.msc (use virtual keyboard)
Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation.
Ensure policies like the Prevent installation of devices aren’t enabled. If they are, set them to Not Configured, apply changes, and reboot.
10) PowerShell Command Fix
The next method is to use a PowerShell command to reset keyboard-related services. Here’s how:
Right-click on Start and select Windows PowerShell (admin).
Run the following command (for PS controller): Get-Service -Name i8042prt | Restart-Service -Force
For USB keyboards, type: Get-Service -Name HidServ | Restart-Service -Force
Restart your PC, unplug it, and plug your keyboard back in. I hope it will fix your issue; if not, try the next method.
11) Create Another User Account
Sometimes, a corrupt user profile could be the culprit. Therefore, create another user account to fix this issue. Here is how to do it:
Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, and click Add someone else to this PC.
2. Select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”.
3. Click on “Add a user without Microsoft Account.”
4. Enter your new username and password (optional)
Once a new user account is created, sign out or restart your PC and sign in with the new account. If it works, delete the old user.
12) Disable Game Mode
Game mode is automatically enabled once you open the Xbox Game Bar on your computer, so the solution is to disable it. Here is how:
Open your system settings
Find “Gaming” from the bottom left and click on it
Click “Game Mode” from the left sidebar and toggle it off.
Restart your PC and check if the issue resolves. Also, disable any overlays that might conflict in Xbox Game Bar settings.
13) Test & Replace the Mechanical Key
Test your keyboard buttons using an online testing tool like keyboardtester.com. If any specific key of your mechanical keyboard is not working, consider changing it with tweezer. Here is how to change it safely:
Carefully pull off the plastic cap of your Windows key using your fingers or a flat tool. Be gentle to avoid damaging the cap.
Use a tweezer to grab the mechanical switch under the Windows key and gently pull it out.
Now, choose another key you don’t often use (such as one from the Numeric Pad). Repeat the same process to remove its key cap and mechanical switch.
Swap the switches — place the working switch into the Windows key position.
Reattach the key cap to the Windows key and press it to test if it now works properly.
If the Windows key starts functioning again, it confirms that the original mechanical switch was faulty. Instead of replacing the entire keyboard, you can order a replacement for the individual faulty key switch.
14) Check The Keyboard For the Windows Lock Key
Some gaming keyboards have a Windows Lock key (often a Win + Lock icon) that disables the Windows key or other functions to avoid in-game disruptions. Check your keyboard for this button—usually near the function row—and press it to toggle it off.
15) Replace Your Keyboard
If nothing else works, try plugging in a different keyboard, even get one from a friend will do the trick. If the Windows key works fine on the new keyboard, then you’ve got your answer: the issue is with your original keyboard. It’s a simple way to rule out software problems. Also, don’t forget to check if your current keyboard is still under warranty; you might be able to get a free replacement or repair without spending a dime.
16) Reset your Windows
If all else fails, resetting your Windows 10/11 is the last resort. It will restore your system settings to default without losing your Apps and data. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. Choose Keep my files (to preserve data) or Remove everything (for a full wipe), then follow the prompts. This will surely fix all software-related issues.
Conclusion
This article discusses different methods for solving the Windows Key-related issues on Windows 10 & 11. If you urgently want to use the keyboard for your work, use a virtual keyboard until you deal with the issue. If you update your drivers manually using these methods, proceed carefully and never use any unauthorized driver; otherwise, you will face a DPC Watchdog Violation error. In the future, if anything happens with your computer, contact us to get a fast solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Fix the Windows Key Not Working in Game?
If the Windows key isn’t working in the game, check if Game Mode or gaming software has disabled it. You can also try turning off Sticky Keys, AutoHotkeys, or changing the wire.
What do you do if your Windows key is not working?
Check if the Win Lock key is enabled on your keyboard, run the Windows troubleshooter, or update keyboard drivers.
Haroon Rashid is a content writer with over two years of experience. He loves writing articles about Windows, telecom, and gaming. His ability to simplify complex topics and provide in-depth insights makes his work stand out.
