Windows Key Not Working on Windows 11: Fix it Now!

Is the Windows key not working on your computer running the latest Windows 11 OS? This guide offers some troubleshooting tips to fix this issue. The Windows key on the Keyboard is beneficial in executing keyboard shortcuts. It saves us time when getting to a particular setting on the computer.

Let us understand the common reasons that may cause the computer’s Windows key to not work as intended. If the Keyboard of the computer or laptop may have sustained damage, then that’s why the key is not working. Dirt or grime accumulated under the Keyboard over a long time can also render the Keyboard’s Windows key (or other keys) useless.

The keyboard driver may require an update, although these updates happen automatically. An outdated driver can cause the keys to malfunction. Also, if enabled on Windows 11, gaming mode disables a few essential functions. That can cause the Windows key to stop working. Here are the best methods to fix Windows Key Not Working on Windows 11

1. Update the Keyboard Driver

Your first move should be to update the keyboard driver.

1. Press the search button on the taskbar.
2. Type Device Manager.
3. Click Open when the search result shows up.
   
4. Scroll to Keyboards and click to expand it.
5. Right-click on the concerned Keyboard of your computer and select Update driver.
   
6. Next, select Search Automatically for Drivers.
   

The system will search for the latest drivers available from the internet and install the same on your computer.

2. Perform a Scan for Possible Malware Attack

Often users have reported that malware attacks on their computers have disabled the Keyboard’s normal way. So, to be on the safer side, you can run a malware scan on your computer. Windows security normally detects possible viruses and removes them. Still, manually checking for malware can help avert unknown threats.

1. Press Windows + I to open the settings.
2. Click on the Privacy and Security option on the left-hand panel.
3. Then click on Windows Security.
   
4. Next, click on Virus and Threat Protection.
   
5. Under that, click on Quick Scan.
   
6. The system will scan for malware and fix them.

After the virus threat is neutralized, the Windows key should be fixed.

3. Use this PowerShell Command to Fix the Windows Key

You can use the PowerShell command to fix the issue of the Windows key not responding to keystrokes on the Keyboard.

1. Open Windows PowerShell with Administrator permission.
   
2. Then enter the following command and hit enter.

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

4. Use the Windows Keyboard Troubleshooter

Here is an inbuilt tool, the Windows keyboard troubleshooter, provided in Windows 11, that will help to fix technical snags on the Keyboard. Here is how you can use it.

1. Click the search option on the taskbar.
2. Type Troubleshoot Settings.
3. Click Open.
   
4. Then click on Other Troubleshooters.
   
5. Under that, navigate to Keyboard and click on the option Run.
   

5. Disable the Filter Keys

Windows 11 has a keyboard accessibility setting section and consists of an option filter key. When enabled it can disable repeated keystrokes on the Keyboard to avoid redundancy. You can try to disable this feature on the Keyboard.

1. Click on the search button of the taskbar.
2. Type accessibility keyboard settings.
3. Click Open.
   
4. Turn off the option Filter Keys by clicking on the toggle beside the option.
   

6. Tweak the Registry to Revamp the Keyboard Settings

You may also delete an element from the Windows registry to fix the keyboard settings and make the Windows critical responsive once again.

1. Press Windows + R to involve the Run dialog box.
2. Type in Regedit and press Enter.
3. Now follow the path I have mentioned below.

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

4. When you click on Keyboard Layout, check on the right-hand side for some element called Scancode Map.
   
5. If Scancode Map is present, highlight it by right-clicking on it. Then delete it.

Remember that if you do not find anything called Scancode Map, do not proceed and close the Registry Editor.

7. Deactivate Gaming Mode on Windows 11

Normally, when enabled for playing games without any disturbance, the gaming mode may disable a few keys of the Keyboard. So, you need to ensure that the gaming mode on Windows 11 has been disabled.

1. Click on the search option of the taskbar.
2. Type Game Mode Settings and click Open when the correct search result shows up.
   
3. Click on the toggle to turn off the Game Mode.
   

Now check if the Windows key is working or not.

8. Try to Connect an External Keyboard to the PC

You can connect to your computer if you have an external keyboard USB-based or Bluetooth-based. Check if you can use all the keys of that external Keyboard. If there is no issue with the keyboard driver version, no system bug, or malware issue, then all keys should work just fine.

9. Clean the Keyboard

To remove dust and grime from the Keyboard, you can clean it using a clean cloth or a vacuum cleaner. Dust accumulated for a long time can jam the keyboard keys, making it difficult for a key to move. So, it is important to keep the Keyboard clean regularly.

10. Repair the Keyboard At the Service Center

If the Keyboard has somehow been damaged due to impact or any other reason, you can take the computer to the official service center. The technicians there will check for the issues and repair the Keyboard.

So, if you want to fix the issue of the Windows key not working on Windows 11, then follow this troubleshooting guide. I hope this was helpful.

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