{Solved} 10 Ways to Fix Windows Key Not Working on Windows 10

Windows key is an essential part in Windows computers that allows the users to perform multiple tasks. Mainly Windows key is used as a shortcut to open the Start menu, besides this, it takes part in other shortcuts such as Win + R and Win + S. There are a great number of functions performed by Windows key which makes it very important for basic as well as advanced level users. But sometimes users report an error that states Windows key not working on their Windows 10 computer.

Due to the multiple uses of the Windows key, it becomes very frustrating for every user to see the failure of the working of Window key.

How to Fix Windows Key Not Working on Windows 10?

However, after proper research, we have come up with some of the best solutions that can help you to fix the error of Windows key not working. So make sure to check out all of them and then choose the one that best suits your preference.

Method #1 Change Your Registry

Users have reported that the error Windows key not working can occur due to the problem with your registry. This error can be fixed up simply by modifying the registry in your Windows 10 PC.

But remember that you need to be very careful while modifying your registry otherwise you can damage your hard drive or entire PC severely. Your Windows 10 file explorer won’t open if the damage is high in registry. So in this case, you can export your registry and can use the exported registry files as a backup. Follow the steps to modify your registry:

1. Open Task Manager window and navigate to File >> Run new task.

   

2. Type regedit and hit Enter key.

   

3. Go to the left pane and select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout key.

   

4. Now expand the Layout key and find Snapcode Map registry entry and remove or delete it.
5. At last, exit Registry Editor and restart your computer.

If you are not able to find the Snapcode Map entry, it might not be there on your computer. In that case, you can try another solution to fix the error of Windows key not working.

See Also: – 10 Ways to Fix Windows 10 Update Error Code 0x8024a105

Method #2 Perform a Malware and Virus Scan

The presence of an infectious virus and unwanted malware can cause several hard disk problems and can lead to issue in the Windows key. This can completely disable the Windows key. Always perform a full system scan in your computer to be sure of this cause. Also, you can download and run malware removal tools like Malwarebytes and Windows Defender to check the presence of malicious software in your PC. Follow the steps to scan your system using Windows Defender:

1. 1. Navigate to Start Menu and click on Settings.
2. 2. Choose Update and Security and then click on Windows Defender.

   

3. Go to the shield icon located on the left side.
4. Click on the Advanced scan and then choose Full Scan.

After removing the malicious software from your PC, check if the Windows key not working error is resolved.

Related Article:

• Windows 10 Start Menu Not Working

Method #3 Disable the Gaming Mode

If you are using a gaming keyboard, then most probably you have support for Gaming mode on the gaming keyboard. Gaming keyboard has been designed by the developers to disable some keys during your game-play sessions so that they won’t interfere with your game sessions.

For Instance, if you mistakenly press Windows key while playing the game, it will minimize your game and will open the Start menu. It causes problems when you play online games with your friends. Due to this, gaming keyboards support Gaming mode.

So if you are receiving the Windows key not working error in your PC, check if the Gaming mode is turned on. If it is switched on, make sure to turn it off. The switch can be found above the F2 and F3 buttons on your keyboard and contains a joystick image beside it. So use this switch to turn off the Gaming mode in your PC.

There are some keyboards like Apex M800 which has a hidden Gaming mode and to disable the Gaming mode; you need to hold the SteelSeries button and then press the Windows key to switch off the Gaming mode. Different keyboards have different ways to disable the Gaming mode, so make sure to have a look at your keyboard’s instruction manual to ensure the proper way of disabling the Gaming mode.

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Method #4 Check out the Win Lock Button

Some keyboards come up with a Gaming mode switched on in them while others carry a Win Lock button. Win Lock button is developed to disable the Windows key on your keyboard. So check if your keyboard contains the Win Lock button.

The location of this key is fixed near the right Ctrl button on your keyboard so make sure to look for it. After locating the Win Lock button, press it and your Windows key will start working again, thus removing the Windows key not working error in your PC.

Method #5 Create a New Account

Sometimes the errors on Windows 10 can be solved by simply creating a new user account. To remove the Windows key not working error in your PC, follow the steps:

1. Navigate to Settings and then click on Accounts section.
2. Now navigate to Family and other people.

3. Under the other people section, click on Add someone else to this PC.
4. Now select, “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.”

5. Now select “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”

6. Give a name for your new user account and at last click on Next to complete the procedure.

After creating the new user account, sign out of your current account and switch to the new one. Now check if the Windows key works without causing any problems. If the Windows key start working correctly now on a new account and the error Windows key not working doesn’t appear anymore, this means the software is causing the trouble in your PC. Now, you need to move your files and folders to the new account and then start using it as your main account.

Method #6 Perform a System File Checker Scan

The installed Windows 10 in your PC can sometimes become corrupt which might prevent the working of certain features in your Windows 10 computer. To remove the error of Windows key not working on your computer, you can perform an SFC (System File Checker) scan by following the given steps:

1. Open Task Manager and navigate to File >> Run new task.

   

2. Under the Create new task window, enter cmd and then check mark the box beside Create this task with administrative privileges.
3. Under the Command Prompt window, type sfc/ scannow and hit Enter key.

   

4. Wait for the scanning to get complete. It will check your Windows 10 installation.
5. After the scanning is done, restart your computer.

Check Out: – 3 Ways to Fix GDI+ Window Preventing to Shutdown

After your PC restarts, check if the error Windows key not working is resolved. If the issue is still there, open Command Prompt again and then run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command. Again check if the error is resolved.

Method #7 Uninstall Bad Keyboard Drivers

To remove the Windows key not working error, you need to uninstall the bad keyboard drivers to make space to reinstall the correct drivers for your keyboard. Follow the steps:

1. First, right click on Start menu and choose Run or hold Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together to open task manager and then navigate to File > Run a new task.

   

2. Now enter devmgmt.msc and press Enter key to open device manager window.

   

3. Expand the keyboards section and right-click on the current keyboard drivers and choose ‘Uninstall device.’
4. Click on Yes or Uninstall in the warning message to confirm the removal of these faulty drivers.
5. If you are using a USB keyboard, unplug it and then plug again or else you can restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the correct drivers automatically. If there’s any issue in USB ports then you can fix it from here.
6. Check if the Window key starts functioning now.

Method #8 Use Powershell Command

Sometimes we can solve the Windows key not working error by only using a Powershell command. Powershell is a powerful command- line tool which enables you to remove core Windows 10 components. With Powershell, you can do a lot of things but be careful as carelessness can lead to harm and damage to your Windows 10 computer system. Follow the steps to open Powershell:

1. First, Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open Task Manager.

   

2. Under the Task Manager window, navigate to File >> Run new task.

   

3. Then go to PowerShell and check-mark “Create this task with administrative privileges.” Click on OK.

   

4. Under the Powershell, type Get-AppXPackage –AllUsers | For each {Add-AppxPackage –DisableDevelopmentMode –Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}. Hit Enter key.
5. After executing this command, Windows key will start working again.

However, Powershell commands can cause unexpected results on your Windows 10 computer system, so it’s better to create a new System Restore point and use it to restore your Windows 10 if something goes wrong after using the Powershell commands.

Method #9 Restart Your Windows or File Explorer

File Explorer has the control of your Windows user interface. By using this method, you can remove the Windows key not working error by restarting Windows or File Explorer in your PC. It will also clear any errors which prevent it from starting correctly. Follow the steps:

1. First, Press Ctrl + Alt + Del keys on your keyboard at the same time and open Task Manager.

   

2. Select the Process tab and find Explorer in the windows and right click on it and choose End task option.

   

3. Now click on File, and then select Run new Task.

   

4. Now type, “explorer.exe” and hit Enter key.

   

5. Check if the error Windows key not working is problem solve or not.

Method #10 Switch off the Filter Keys

If the Filter keys are turned on in your PC, it can cause different types of issues in your Windows 10 computer such as the Windows key not working problem. The filter keys may ignore or slow down the repeated keystrokes and it adjusts repeat rates. The Windows key can also get affected on certain keyboards due to the filter keys. Further, it might cause low memory issue in Windows. Follow the steps to turn off the filter keys in your PC:

1. Right-click on the Start menu and choose Settings.
2. Then under the Settings page, scroll down and select Ease of Access.

   

3. Now click on the keyboard tab located at the left side.
4. Scroll down and look for filter keys and then turn them off.

Conclusion

So that’s it on how to fix the error Windows key not working in your Windows 10 computers. Hope the article will prove to be helpful for all the users who are receiving this particular error. But don’t forget that this issue might also occur due to any faulty hardware, electric or mechanical problem on your keyboard that would require you to either replace or repair your keyboard. So if nothing works out for you, it’s better than take the keyboard for a repair service.

Garvit Sinha

Gravit Sinha: Founder of ValidEdge, a problem-solving website, driven by his lifelong passion for fixing issues.