7 Ways to Fix Windows Key Not Working in Windows 11

Quick Tips

• Boot your laptop in Safe Mode and test if the Windows key works.
• Your Windows key might be disabled; press Fn + F6 to enable it.
• If your keyboard has a gaming mode activated, go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode > turn off Game Mode.

Basic Fixes

• Check for physical damage: There might be physical damage or dirt buildup on your keyboard. If you have a spare keyboard, use it to see if the Windows key works. If it does, your original keyboard might need to be cleaned or replaced.
• Boot into Safe mode: If you recently installed new software or made changes to your system, try booting into Safe mode.
• Check for Windows update: Sometimes, an outdated Windows system can cause the Windows key to stop working. Open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates > install them.

Fix 1: Update or Reinstall the Keyboard Driver

Outdated keyboard drivers may cause the Windows key to malfunction on Windows 11. To resolve this, update your keyboard drivers to the latest version.

Step 1: Open the Device Manager.

Step 2: Scroll down and click Keyboards to expand it.

Step 3: Right-click on your keyboard driver and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.

Step 4: Wait for the process to complete and restart your computer. Check if the Windows key is now working.

If the issue persists, reinstall the keyboard driver.

Right-click on your keyboard driver > select Uninstall device > Uninstall. After that, restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the keyboard driver.

Fix 2: Enable the Windows Key

Sometimes, the Windows key may stop responding when playing a game on your computer. This is due to a Windows feature that disables the Windows key to prevent gaming interference.

To enable it, press Fn + F6 on your keyboard.

Fix 3: Disable the Game Mode

Some keyboards have a gaming mode that disables certain keys. Make sure this mode is turned off.

Step 1: Open the Settings menu.

Step 2: Navigate to Gaming > Game Mode.

Step 3: Toggle off Game Mode.

Try pressing the Windows key and see if it works. If not, continue reading.

Fix 4: Run Windows Keyboard Troubleshooter

Windows 11 comes with a default keyboard troubleshooter tool to help diagnose and fix small niggles with the keyboard.

Step 1: Open the Settings app > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooter.

Step 2: Click Run next to the Keyboard.

Troubleshooter will scan for underlying problems and automatically fix them. Restart your computer and check if the Windows key works.

Fix 5: Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to detect and fix common hardware problems with your computer:

Step 1: Run PowerShell as Administrator.

Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter.

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

Step 3: Click Next to scan, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Once you have completed the above steps, restart your computer and see if the Windows keys are now working.

Fix 6: Disable the Filter Keys

Filter Keys is an accessibility feature that can sometimes interfere with Windows key functions when the OS registers the key twice. Follow these steps to disable it:

Step 1: Open the Settings menu.

Step 2: Navigate to Accessibility > Keyboard > toggle off Filter keys.

Fix 7: Enable the Windows Key via Registry

This solution requires you to enable the Windows key in your registry. Be careful when using this trick; a small mistake can lead to major issues.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the following path.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

Step 3: If you see Scancode Map in the right pane, right-click on it and select Delete.

Step 4: Close the Registry menu and restart the PC.