How to Fix Windows Key not Working Issue and Prevention Tips

Let’s discuss how to Fix Windows Key not Working Issue and Prevention Tips. The Windows key is referred to as the Win key, Start key, or Logo key. It is a dedicated key found on the majority of PC keyboards. It is usually marked with the Windows logo and sits between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the left side.

The Windows key not working is a common issue experienced by many users across various versions of Windows. This problem can significantly impact productivity, especially for those who rely on keyboard shortcuts for quick navigation and system control.

The Windows key helps open important tools and makes multitasking easier, so fixing it quickly is important. Windows 11 has added some new keyboard shortcuts to help you work faster and more easily. These shortcuts let you quickly open features like Widgets, Snap layouts, Notification Center, and Quick Settings. Most of the old shortcuts from Windows 10 still work, but the new ones make using Windows 11 even more convenient.

In this post, you will find all the details on how to fix the issue of the Windows key not working. It covers the common reasons behind the problem and provides simple, step-by-step solutions to help you get the Windows key working again.

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How to Fix Windows Key Not Working Issue

There are several reasons the Windows key might stop working, such as hardware problems, changes made by a Windows 11 update, certain system settings, or the key being accidentally disabled. To help you fix the issue, this guide starts with the most common and easy-to-follow solutions, then moves on to more advanced troubleshooting steps if needed.

• Enable Disable On-Screen Keyboard in Windows 11
• Windows 10 Shortcut Keys Keyboard Shortcuts
• New Windows 11 Quick Settings Options

Check for Windows Updates

The Outdated system files can sometimes cause keyboard issues. It includes problems with the Windows key. To fix this, it is important to check for any available Windows updates. Open the Settings app, then go to Update & Security and click on Windows Update. From there, select Check for updates and install any updates that are available.

Update Keyboard Drivers

The Windows key may stop working due to outdated or corrupted keyboard drivers. To check and updating your driver is important to do. You should open Device Manager by searching for it in the Start menu. Once open, expand the Keyboards section, then right-click on your keyboard device and select Update driver.

Choose Search automatically for updated driver software to let Windows find the latest version. If no updates are available or the issue continues, consider reinstalling the driver as the next step.

Reinstall the Keyboard Driver

You can easily perform a clean reinstall of the keyboard driver. To do so, you should open Device Manager, locate your keyboard under the Keyboards section, and right-click on it. From the options that appear, select Uninstall device to remove the current driver. After the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer. When Windows restarts, it will automatically detect the keyboard and reinstall the correct driver.

Restart Computer

Restarting your computer can often resolve many keyboard issues, including a non-working Windows key. A reboot helps reset system settings and can stop background applications or processes that might be interfering with your keyboard. It is also a quick way to ensure the problem is not due to the system being temporarily unresponsive, rather than the Windows key itself being locked or disabled.

• Click the Start menu from Taskbar.
• Click the Power icon.
• Select Restart from the menu.

Start Menu Troubleshooting

If pressing the Windows key doesn’t open the Start menu, but keyboard shortcuts like Win + R or Win + E still work, then the issue may not be with the Windows key itself, but with the Start menu. A quick way to confirm this is by clicking the Start icon using your mouse.

If the Start menu still doesn’t open, it’s a clear sign that the problem lies with the Start menu functionality. In such cases, fixing or resetting the Start menu may help restore full functionality to your Windows key.

Make Sure the Windows Key Isn’t Locked

Some keyboards, especially gaming ones, have a special key that can turn off the Windows key. This is called the Windows Lock key, and it works like the Num Lock key. It usually has a Windows logo with a small lock symbol on it, and there might be a light to show if it’s turned on. If the light is on, press the key to turn it off and unlock the Windows key.

Also, on some keyboards, you can press the Fn (Function) key along with another key (like F12) to turn the Windows key on or off. Check your keyboard’s manual to see if it has this shortcut. If it does, pressing the same keys again can turn the Windows key back on.

Disable Sticky Keys

Sticky Keys is an accessibility feature that lets users press one key at a time for keyboard shortcuts, but when enabled, it can cause unusual behavior with the Windows key. Disabling Sticky Keys can help fix these kinds of issues and restore normal keyboard behavior.

Check for Hardware Issues

If your Windows key still is not working, check the hardware. Plug in a different keyboard, a newer one, to see if the problem keeps happening. Clean your keyboard well, since dust can stop keys from working. Also, look for any damage like torn cables, loose keycaps, or cracks.

Check Wireless Keyboard Battery and Connection

If you are using a wireless keyboard, low battery power can cause unusual behavior, like the Windows key not working properly. Try replacing the batteries to see if that fixes the issue. Also, ensure that the wireless USB receiver (dongle) is securely plugged into your computer and has not come loose or fallen out, as a weak or lost connection can also cause key problems.

Turn Off Filter Keys

Filter Keys is a feature in Windows that ignores repeated key presses, but it can sometimes cause problems with keyboard functionality. It includes the Windows key. To turn it off, press and hold the right Shift key for 8 seconds until a message appears. Then, select “Disable this keyboard shortcut in Ease of Access keyboard settings” and make sure the Use Filter Keys option is set to Off. If it was already off, then Filter Keys is not the cause of the issue.

How to Use sfc /scannow to Fix Windows Key Issues

You can use sfc /scannow for fixing issues like the Windows key not working. Follow these simple steps. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click and choose Run as administrator). In the elevated prompt, type the following. sfc /scannow and press Enter. Once completed, review the results and restart your computer to apply any repairs.

• This process checks and replaces damaged or missing system files that may cause keyboard or shortcut issues

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

There are different methods to use the On-Screen Keyboard. The On-Screen Keyboard is the keyboard it will appear as a virtual keyboard on your screen. The following are the steps to use the On-Screen Keyboard.

• Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
• Type osk in the Run box.
• Press Enter.

Repair Windows Apps using PowerShell

You can easily Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then click on File and select Run new task. In the dialog box that appears, type powershell, and make sure to check the box labeled “Create this task with administrative privileges“. Once PowerShell opens, copy and paste the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each command to execute them. Restart your computer after completing the commands.

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register “$($_. InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode}

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_. InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

Create a New Local Administrator Account

Windows allows you to add multiple user accounts on the same device, giving each person their own personalized environment with separate settings, documents, and applications. If the problem persists, try creating a new local administrator account:Follow Microsoft’s official steps here.

• Open the Settings app from Start menu
• Go to Accounts > Other users.
• Under Add other user, click Add account.
• Enter Account Details:
  • If the person already has a Microsoft account, just enter their email address.
  • If they don’t have one, you can:
    • Use their regular email to create a new Microsoft account.
    • Or select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” and follow the steps to sign up for a new account.
• To Create a Local Account:
  • Click on “Add a user without a Microsoft account” if you don’t want to use email or a Microsoft account.

Read More – Manage User Accounts in Windows

Disable Game Mode

Game Mode in Windows 11 is designed to improve gaming performance, but it can sometimes interfere with keyboard functions, including the Windows key. To fix this, try turning off Game Mode in the system settings or through the Game Bar if it’s enabled.

Restarting Windows File Explorer

Sometimes, issues with the Windows Start button on your keyboard can be resolved by restarting Windows File Explorer, which manages the desktop environment and ensures smooth operation of programs. To do this, right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select Task Manager.

If the Task Manager opens in a simplified view, click on More details to expand it. Locate Windows Explorer under the Processes tab, then right-click on it and select Restart from the context menu.

Fix Windows Key Issues Using DISM Command

The Windows key may stop working due to missing or corrupted system files. You can easily repair these files using the DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) command.To do this, open Command Prompt as an administrator. Then, run the following commands. Finally press Enter.

Type this command: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup, Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Fix Windows Key Not Working by Editing the Registry

Another important way to resolve issues with the Windows key is by modifying the Windows Registry. However, this is an advanced method, so it’s important to back up your registry before making any changes. To begin, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click OK to launch the Registry Editor. Then navigate to the following path:

Once there, look for a value named Scancode Map. If it exists, right-click on it and choose Delete. This key may be overriding the default behavior of the Windows key. After deleting the entry, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. This should restore the normal function of the Windows key.

Prevention Tips for Windows Key Issues

We have covered all the ways to fix a Windows key that isn’t working. However, it’s very important to take simple steps to prevent this problem from happening in the first place. Here are some easy tips to help keep your keyboard and the Windows key working properly for a long time.

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Author

Anoop C Nair has been Microsoft MVP for 10 consecutive years from 2015 onwards. He is a Workplace Solution Architect with more than 22+ years of experience in Workplace technologies. He is a Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group Community leader. His primary focus is on Device Management technologies like SCCM and Intune. He writes about technologies like Intune, SCCM, Windows, Cloud PC, Windows, Entra, Microsoft Security, Career, etc.