How to Fix Windows Key Not Working on Windows 11

Is your Windows key not engaged on Windows 11?

The Windows secret’s essential for a optimistic computing expertise. It not solely launches the Start menu but in addition performs a number of shortcut capabilities. This contains launching varied functions akin to Settings, the Windows widget panel, and so forth.

But in case your Windows key all of the sudden stops functioning, it’d intervene with how you utilize your pc. Before you start troubleshooting the Windows key not engaged on Windows 11, you should first decide the origin of the issue.

There are quite a lot of potential causes for the Windows key’s malfunction, together with a software program bug, an outdated driver, and more. To help you, we have now included a number of strategies on this information so that you simply don’t must look any additional to resolve the difficulty.

So, proceed studying to seek out out!

1. Clean and Reconnect Your Keyboard. 

When you notice the Windows key shouldn’t be engaged on Windows 11, the very very first thing that you are able to do is test your keyboard. Sometimes, mud particles or filth specks might trigger one among your keyboard keys to not work. In that case, use cotton swabs, a keyboard brush, or a fabric to scrub the keys. 

If you’re using an exterior keyboard, disconnect it out of your PC and reconnect it once more. Even if that doesn’t work and you’ve got a spare keyboard, it’s possible you’ll attempt to join it and test if that solves your drawback. 

2. Reboot Your PC. 

A easy pc reboot can refresh your system and enable you to do away with any momentary minor glitches. So, in the event you’re positive the issue isn’t in your keyboard, attempt restarting your PC and test if that will get your Windows key to work. 

Simply observe these steps under:

1. Press and maintain the Power button till your PC shuts down fully.

2. Then, await just a few seconds and press the Power button once more to restart the pc.

3. Unlock the Windows Key Lock. 

Some keyboards include a change or button that you could lock and unlock the Win key with. This is normally frequent with fashionable gaming keyboards to stop customers from by accident urgent it whereas gaming.  The Windows key may not work in the event you’ve pressed it by mistake. In that case, it’s important to disable or unlock it.

Here’s how:

1. Look for the Key Lock on the top-right facet of your keyboard, alongside the fn keys, or on the facet within the type of a change.
2. Disable or unlock it. If you’re not sure how to test the consumer handbook out of your keyboard’s producer. 

4. Run Keyboard Troubleshooter. 

Another motive for the Windows key not engaged on Windows 11 could also be corrupted keyboard recordsdata. Windows Troubleshooter might assist in such instances by detecting and suggesting fixes in your drawback. 

Here’s how to run the keyboard troubleshooter in your PC:

1. Go to the Start menu and click on on Settings.

2. When the window opens, choose System from the left pane.
3. Find the tab Troubleshoot located on the suitable facet of the display and click on on it.

4. After that, choose the Other troubleshooters choice.

5. Locate the tile that reads Keyboard and click on on the Run button next to it.

6. Once the troubleshooting course of is finished, shut the Settings app.
7. Reboot your pc to make sure the modifications have been made.

5. Update Keyboard Drivers. 

An outdated or defective keyboard driver might generally intervene together with your keyboard’s functioning. This might end in some keys of your keyboard not working, together with the Windows key. In such a state of affairs, you should be sure that your keyboard drivers are updated. If not, update them to the most recent model to repair the difficulty. 

Here’s what it is advisable do:

1. First, launch the Start menu, and within the search bar, sort Device Manager.
2. Then, from the outcomes showing under, choose the Device Manager tile.

3. Once it opens, find Keyboards and double-click on it to view the choices.

4. From there, right-click the present keyboard device title and choose Update driver. A brand new window will seem in your display.

5. If you need Windows to put in and update the motive force, click on on Search for the motive force mechanically. Or else choose Browse my pc for driver software program to search for the motive force through the web.

6. Once the motive force has been up to date with its latest model, test to see if the difficulty nonetheless persists.

6. Disable Game Mode. 

Microsoft has launched a Game Mode within the latest Windows updates, permitting customers to have an excellent gaming expertise with out the interference of notifications, and many others. This mode additionally disables background processes and sure keyboard keys. So, in case your Windows key shouldn’t be working, take into account disabling the gaming mode. 

To accomplish that, observe these steps:

1. Head to the Start menu and choose the Settings app.
2. From the left pane, click on on the Gaming tab.
3. Select the Game Mode tile from the suitable facet of the window.

4. Then, change off the toggle next to Game Mode.

7. Disable Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and Toggle Keys. 

If there’s any drawback with keyboard accessibility options, such because the Filter keys, Sticky keys, or Toggle keys, it might trigger your keyboard keys to cease functioning. The best repair for that is to disable all of those options. 

Here’s how:

1. Click on the Start menu and choose the Settings tile.
2. Then, choose the Accessibility tab from the left pane.

3. On the suitable part of the display, search for the Keyboard choice below Interaction and click on on it.
4. Turn off the toggles next to Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and Toggle Keys.

5. Restart your PC to verify the modifications.

8. Scan PC for Malware or Virus. 

There’s additionally a chance {that a} virus or malware might have attacked your PC. These malicious recordsdata might intervene with the Windows key of your keyboard, stopping it from working accurately. Therefore, take into account working a fast scan in your PC to test for any malicious exercise.

Here’s what you must do:

1. Go to the Start menu and seek for Windows Security within the search bar.
2. Open the app and click on on the Virus & risk safety tab from the left pane.

3. On the suitable facet of the display, click on on the Quick Scan choice.

4. Perform the scan to take away any corrupted recordsdata out of your PC.

9. Boot into Safe Mode. 

If all else fails to resolve your drawback, rebooting your pc into Safe Mode might show to be useful. This mode makes use of restricted processes, recordsdata, drivers, and many others., besides the system and is a good way to troubleshoot any Windows drawback. 

Follow these steps under besides into Safe Mode:

1. First, launch the Run dialogue field by urgent the Windows + R shortcut keys out of your keyboard.
2. Next, sort msconfig.msc and press Enter to open System Configuration.
3. Once the window opens, click on on the Services tab and test the field next to Hide all Microsoft providers.
4. Then, click on on the Disable all choice.

5. After that, click on on Apply and OK to verify modifications.
6. Now, go to the Boot tab and choose the precise drive the place Windows 11 OS is put in.
7. Check the Safe boot field, then click on on Apply and OK.

8. Accept the immediate pop-up that seems, and your PC will reboot into Safe Mode. 

This brings our information on how to repair Windows key not engaged on Windows 11 to the tip. If you may have any questions relating to something we’ve lined on this information, make the most of the feedback part under. We’ll gladly assist additional.