Top 7 Ways to Fix Windows Key Not Working on Windows 10
The Windows 10 operating system is full of keyboard shortcuts. When using my Windows laptop, the Windows key is my most used key on the keyboard. The Windows key allows you to open the Start menu and search for applications and files in the system. It works even when you’re in the app and want to open and quickly access an app. There may be times when the Windows key stops working on your keyboard. The problem can be irritating and interrupt the workflow for you.
There can be various reasons behind the strange behavior of Windows keys on Windows 10. It could be a hardware issue or a bug due to the latest Windows 10 update, the filter keys bug, the problem with the game mode, etc.
In this article, we will discuss the top seven ways to fix Windows key not working problem on Windows 10. Follow step by step and keep checking Windows key on keyboard. Let’s start.
1. Turn off the game mode
Most gaming keyboards support keyboard play mode. Game Mode is designed to disable certain keys during game sessions that may interfere with your game.
For example, while playing games, you may accidentally press the Windows key and open the Start menu. This can be a problem if you are playing an online game with your friends, and that’s why gaming keyboards offer a game mode.
Many keyboards have the game mode enabled by default. Make sure to turn off the mode. You can also turn off game mode in Windows 10 settings.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on Windows.
2nd step: Go to Games> Game Mode> Disable option.
2. Disable the Windows lock key
Some third-party keyboards support the Win Lock key. When enabled, the option disables the Windows key on your keyboard. You will find it mainly in the upper right corner of the keyboard. Disable the Win Lock option and try using the Windows key again.
3. Make adjustments to the Windows registry
Window key not working on Windows 10 is often fixed with this registry setting. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Right click on the Start menu icon and select the Run menu.
2nd step: This will open a small execution window. Type regedit to launch the registry editor.
Step 3: Move towards:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlKeyboard Layout
Step 4: In the right pane, find Scancode Map.
Step 5: Right click on it and select Remove.
Close the registry and restart the PC and see if it fixes the problem. If you cannot find the Scancode Map entry, it may not be available on your PC, so you should ignore this solution and try the following solutions.
4. Disable the filter keys option
The Filter Keys option allows your keyboard to ignore repeated keystrokes. The option is usually disabled on your device, but if you’ve enabled it, it’s time to turn it off in Windows settings.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Windows 10 PC.
2nd step: Go to Ease of Access> Keyboard.
Step 3: In the right pane, scroll to the filter keys and turn off the option.
5. Use PowerShell
PowerShell is a powerful tool for making changes to your Windows computer, as well as for troubleshooting. It gives you the ability to run commands and tell your Windows 10 PC directly what to do through a scripting language. It is an efficient command line tool that allows you to remove basic components from Windows 10.
We are going to fix the Windows key not working issue using PowerShell. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: From Windows search, find Windows PowerShell and open the software.
2nd step: Copy and paste the following command into PowerShell.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation) AppXManifest.xml”}
Step 3: Press Enter and let the command run.
After the command is executed, the Windows key should start working again.
6. Update keyboard drivers
Windows key not working might be due to outdated keyboard drivers on your device. You need to update the drivers to the latest version.
There are several ways to update keyboard drivers on your laptop. You can find the keyboard drivers on the manufacturer’s website or download the necessary drivers from the Device Manager utility.
Step 1: Right click on the Windows icon and go to Device Manager.
2nd step: Scroll down to Keyboard and find your connected keyboard.
Step 3: Right click on it and select “Update Drivers”.
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7. Scan for malware
Recently downloaded a bunch of unknown files or software from the web. You may need to scan the PC using Windows Defender to remove any malware or suspicious files.
Step 1: Open the Windows security application.
2nd step: Go to Virus and Threat Protection and scan the PC.
It usually takes around 15-20 minutes depending on the files stored on your PC. Remove the threats and restart the PC.
If the tips mentioned above don’t work for you, it might be a hardware issue. Although this is very rare, but still likely. The reason could be physical damage, or accidental hot coffee or water spilled on the keyboard.
Fix Windows key issue on Windows 10
Windows key not working in Windows 10 can be irritating, considering how many times you use the Windows Key button on a daily basis. Of course, you can link another key to complete this, but the location of that other key can be inconvenient. Instead, check the tips written above and fix Windows key issue on the go.
Then:
Does Windows 10 mobile hotspot keep turning off for you? Read the article below to find ways to resolve the issue.
Last updated on August 3, 2020
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