The Windows key is the most important component of the keyboard. It allows you to open any application quickly from the Start menu. Else, there are various shortcut keys associated with the Windows key.
However, due to certain reasons, the Windows key stops working and users find it quite difficult to do simple things like accessing Start menu, settings, shutting down the device, launching applications, etc. So, the problem is either with the Windows key or the Start menu.
To resolve the error when the Windows key not working, follow up the underlying section and get it solved in no time.
Methods to Try if Windows Key not Working on Windows 10
There can be various troubleshooting measures that will help you to get rid of the situation where the Windows key not working. But, here are the most prominent ones. So, have a look below and try to troubleshoot the Windows key error as soon as possible.
Solution 1: Try to Utilize the PowerShell
PowerShell is a strong command-line utility that enables the users to eliminate the core elements in Windows 10. A majority of user claims that they have managed to settle the issue with Windows key by employing the PowerShell command.
Generally, we use the Windows logo + S shortcut keys in order to open the Powershell. But, you can also invoke the PowerShell by following the underlying instructions.
- Press the combination of the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys and initiate the Task Manager. Inside the Task Manager window, navigate to the “File” and hit the “Run New Task” option from the resultant menu.
- In the search field, enter “PowerShell” and look for the “Create this task with administrative privileges” checkbox. Once you find it, tap on it and hit the Enter key to proceed further.
- After performing this instruction, PowerShell invokes. Now, type the following command inside the PowerShell and press the Enter key to execute the command.
“Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation) \AppXManifest.xml”}”
Thereafter, press the Windows key and check if the issue is resolved. Otherwise, proceed with the remaining fixes.
Solution 2: Edit the Registry Entries
On Windows 10, when the Windows key not working, it often occurs if there are certain glitches in your registry entries. However, you can overcome this error by editing your registry entries. But, before modifying the registry, keep a backup of your registry files.
Step 1: Invoke the Task Manager and navigate to the File. Once the File opens, hit the “Run New Task” button. Inside the Command Prompt write “ regedit “ and hit the Enter key to execute it.
Step 2: This will initiate the Registry Editor Window. Next, go to the left pane and enter the following inside the search field. “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout key”.
Step 3: Afterward, expand the Keyboard Layout key and try to find the Scancode Map’s registry entry. Once you locate the entries, right-click on it and hit the “Delete” button to remove it.
Wait until the removal process gets completed. Now close the Registry Editor window and reboot your device in order to save the new modifications.
Solution 3: Create a New User Account
In this procedure, we recommend you utilize a new user account to work with the Windows key. To proceed with this solution, you can follow the under mentioned instructions.
- Open the Start menu by tapping the Start icon.
- Then, go to the Settings menu.
- Under the Settings, tap on “Accounts”.
- Navigate to the “Family & other people” option, which is present under the Accounts section.
- Next, tap on the “Add someone else to this PC” option from the “Other people” section
- Further, select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” and choose the “Add a user without a Microsoft account”.
- Now, enter a name for your new account and save it by tapping on the OK button.
After creating the account, sign out from your previous account and switch to the new one. Now, verify whether the shift key not working on Windows 10.
Solution 4: Use the Built-in Utility
At times, Windows 10 installation becomes corrupted, which results in the issue of disabling certain keys. To overcome this situation, you can utilize the System File Checker that is a built-in tool in every version of Windows. To run the System File Checker utility, follow the underlying guidelines.
- Firstly, invoke the Task Manager and select the File. Afterward, tap on the “Run New Task” from the appeared menu. This will display the “Create New Task” window.
- Inside this window, write “cmd” and select the “Create this task with administrative privileges” checkbox.
- Once the Command Prompt window invokes in Admin Mode, write “sfc /scannow” and hit the Enter key r to run the command.
- Do not interrupt while the System File Checker checks your Windows 10 installation and detects the corrupted system files.
- If System File Checker detects any corrupted system files or any other internal bugs and glitches, then it will repair them automatically.
After the scan is over, reboot your device to let the new changes take effect. Once your device reboots, verify whether the unspecified error gets eliminated or not.
In case, the error still remains, then invoke the Command Prompt again with Administrator access and run the command “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth”.
Solution 5: Review the Win Lock Button on the Keyboard
The Win Lock key is there to turn on or off the Windows keys on the keyboard. So, if your keyboard has this key, then ensure that the button isn’t enabled.
This key might be present next to the right CTRL button on the keyboard. Once you locate the button, tap on it and your Windows key should begin responding again.
Solution 6: Check for Malicious Components
At times, certain malicious components cause issues with the Windows key and turn it off. So, if your device has been infected by any malicious component, then try to use the Windows Defender to scan your device.
- Initiate the Windows Defender Security Center from the Taskbar.
- Then, choose the “Virus & threat protection” from the appeared menu.
- Go to the “Advanced Options” and hit the “Windows Defender” button.
- Initiate the scanning process by tapping on the ‘Scan Now” button.
When the scanning process gets completed, reboot your device to save the new changes.
Solution 7: Update the Keyboard Drivers
Windows key may not work due to the outdated or corrupt keyboard driver. To rectify this matter, try to update the keyboard drivers.
Open the Start menu and enter “Device Manager” inside the search field. From the appeared menu, choose the Device Manager and invoke the window.
When the Device Manager window invokes, search for the keyboard drivers from the available menu. Thereafter, double-click on it and hit the “Update Driver” option from the queue window.
Now, tap on the option of “Search automatically for updated driver software”. The device will then search for the reliable driver software for it. Further, choose the option of “Update Driver” when you are prompted.
Wait until the update process gets completed. When the process is over, reboot your device to apply the new changes.
