The Windows key on your keyboard makes accessing system settings, the Start menu, and other things easy. Without it, more key combinations and more mouse clicks are required to complete simple tasks. This article explores several methods to potentially restore the functionality of your Windows key. Keep reading to discover how to resolve the issue of the Windows key problem on your Windows.
Common Causes for a Non-Responsive Windows Key
There are several potential reasons why the Windows key might stop functioning. After thoroughly researching various forums and reading user feedback, we’ve identified some of the most frequently reported causes for the issue:
Game Mode: When the game mode is active, it may disable the Windows key.
New Update: Windows Updates sometimes conflict with existing software resulting in the Windows key not working.
Malware: Malware can hamper the normal PC functioning making the Windows key stop working.
Windows Filter Key: The reason for this is not known, but a bug has developed in the Windows Filter keys interfering with the working of the Windows key.
How To Fix Windows Key not Working on Keyboard
Before jumping to troubleshooting the Windows button not working on a Windows PC, turn on the on-screen keyboard as it will simplify the fixing process. Here is what you need to do to enable it:
Step 1: In the Windows search bar type Settings to access Windows Settings. ( fix windows start menu not working )
Step 2: Click on the Accessibility tab in the left panel (Windows 11).
Step 3: Scroll down in the right section and click on the Keyboard option under Interaction.
Step 4: Next, locate the On-screen keyboard option and slide the toggle button towards the right to enable it.
To enable the on-screen keyboard for Windows 10 users, after accessing Windows settings, click Ease of Access > Keyboard. Under “Use your device without a physical keyboard,” enable the Use the On-Screen Keyboard option.
After the Onscreen keyboard is enabled, you can start troubleshooting the “Windows button not working on the taskbar” issue.
Method 1: Disable Filter Keys
Note: As the Windows key not functioning on the physical keyboard and we have enabled the on-screen keyboard we will be using it.
To fix the Windows key not working some experts recommend disabling Filter Keys as it interferes with the working of the Windows key. To disable Filter Keys and restore your Windows key functionality in just a few minutes follow these steps:
Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box. Type “Control,” and click the OK button.
Step 2: Click on the View by option and choose “Category”.
Step 3: Click on the “Ease Of Access” option.
Step 4: Click the “Change how your keyboard works” link.
Step 5: Locate the “Turn on Filter Keys” option and uncheck the box next to it.
Step 6: Click on Apply, followed by the OK button at the bottom of the screen, to save the setting.
Now try to use the Windows key on your physical keyboard, it should work.
Read Also: Spacebar Key on Keyboard Not Working on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7
Method 2: Use PowerShell Command
PowerShell enables you to execute commands and directly control your PC using a scripting language. Here is what you need to do to use it:
Step 1: Press Win + X to launch the Power Menu.
Step 2: Choose Terminal (Admin) to open the Powershell in admin mode.
Step 3: You may get a User Account Control prompt box. Click on the Yes button.
Step 4: Copy and paste the following command and hit Enter.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation) \AppXManifest.xml”}
Step 5: Exit the Terminal app and check if the issue has been resolved.
Method 3: Modify The Windows Registry
Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box and type “Regedit.” Press the Enter key.
Step 2: The Windows Registry app will now open. Copy and paste the following path in the address bar and hit the Enter key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
Step 3: Now look for the “Scancode” registry key in the right section of the Registry window and right-click on it to choose Delete from the context menu.
Note: If the key does not exist on your PC, then exit the Registry and proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Close the Registry app and reboot your PC.
Method 4: Turn Off Game Mode
Microsoft acknowledges the need for gaming enhancements in Windows 10 and 11, hence the introduction of the Game Mode feature. However, when the Game Mode is enabled, users have reported conflicts with the Windows key making it unusable. You can easily disable it using these steps.
Step 1: Press Win + I to launch the Windows Settings.
Step 2: Click on the Gaming tab in the left panel. 
Step 3: Next, locate Game Mode on the right pane and ensure the toggle button next to it is turned off.
Method 5: Activate System File Checker Tool
The System File Checker (SFC) is an inbuilt tool Microsoft provides. The tool helps scan, identify, and fix all corrupt system files, thus helping to fix a number of issues on the PC. Here is what you need to do:
Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “CMD” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt tool in admin mode.
Step 3: The User Account Control prompt box will appear on your screen where you have to click on the Yes button.
Step 4: Type the following command followed by the Enter key:
sfc /scannow
Step 5: Wait for the SFC scan to complete scanning your computer and repairing corrupt files. This process may take a while, so do not close the Command Prompt or turn off your computer.
Step 6: Reboot your PC after the SFC process is complete and check if the issue has been resolved.
Method 6: Use The Deployment Image Servicing And Management Tool
Like the System File Checker, DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a command to repair a Windows OS image. This can help fix the Windows button not working issue.
Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “CMD” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt tool in admin mode.
Step 3: The User Account Control prompt box will appear on your screen click on the Yes button to proceed.
Step 4: Type the following command followed by the Enter key:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Step 5: Wait for the process to complete and reboot your PC.
Method 7: Create A New User Account
When the above fixes do not work, try creating and using a new user account. If everything functions correctly on the new account, transfer your files and start using it:
Step 1: Press Win + I to open Settings.
Step 2: Click on the Accounts tab.
Step 3: Click on the Family option on the right side and then click on the “Add someone” option.
Step 4: Next, click on the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” link.
Step 5: Click the “Add a user without a Microsoft account” link.
Step 6: Enter a username and password and click the Next button.
Step 7: A new user will be created. Press Win + L to lock your screen and choose this new user from the bottom left corner.
Step 8: Enter the new credentials and check if the Windows key works.
Method 8: Run A Malware Scan
If you are still unable to fix the “Windows Key Not Working,” run a malware scan. You can use any antivirus/antimalware software of your choice. However, if you ask us, we recommend T9 antivirus. This amazing real-time antivirus scans your PC and quarantines/deletes all malware-infected files in no time. It also offers other optimization features such as Startup Manager, Shredder, and Adblocker.
Read Also: Solution – Restore Deleted Quarantined File From Windows Defender
How to Reactivate Windows Button?
When you enable the gaming mode, the Windows key is turned off to prevent interference from accidental presses. To reactivate the Windows button, you can simply deactivate the Gaming mode, as explained above.
Have You Fixed The Windows Key Problem?
We hope you can now fix the “Windows Key Not Working” issue on your Windows PC. The above-mentioned steps will help you fix this error quickly. We would love to hear all about it in the comments section below.
