The Windows key has become something of a symbol, almost verging on a sign of navigational aid in Windows 10, for any of the uses of the Start menu, shortcuts, or system functions. It is generally regarded as one of the most important keys on the keyboard.
This is the main reason why users are frustrated and annoyed with a malfunction or glitch, which results in a non-responsive Windows key. The complete guide here explains how to troubleshoot a Windows key that does not respond. Use the different methods that we are mentioning here in the article when you want to resolve Windows Key Not Working.
Effective Troubleshooting methods to fix a non-working Windows Key
You need to make sure that you are following all the methods carefully to ensure that your key works again without issues.
Restart Your Computer: The First Line of Defense
As with all tech-related issues, restarting is the most effective remedy against temporary glitches. You can easily restart the computer by accessing the Start menu (if it can be accessed). After this, you need to hit the Power icon and choose the Restart option. This method clears temporary files from the RAM and any inter-process which might interfere with your Windows key usage.
Check for Keyboard Issues
It is possible that there might be a hardware issue at play, which means that it will be more difficult to troubleshoot as compared to a software issue. You can use a few methods if Keyboard Isnt Working On Widows Lock Screen and the Windows key not working.
- Try Another Keyboard: If you can, connect a different keyboard to your computer and check if the Windows key works.
- Clean Your Keyboard: Dust or debris under the keys can prevent them from functioning properly. Carefully clean the keyboard with compressed air or a soft cloth.
- Check Keyboard Drivers: You can also try and check the keyboard drivers by accessing the Device Manager on your device. This shows you whether your driver needs an update or not.
Alternatively, uninstalling the keyboard drivers and then restarting the system may work; Windows will reinstall them.
Game Mode or Filter Keys Should Be Disabled
Both of these keys are meant to aid with either gaming or accessibility, but occasionally they can interfere with the Windows key. The interference of these keys can cause the Windows key to malfunction or glitch, which is why you need to disable them.
You can easily look for both of these settings by entering in the Search Bar and turning them off.
Running the System File Checker (SFC)
If there are corrupt system files on your computer, then you can encounter many issues, one of which can be the Windows key not responding. To resolve the issue, you need to run the System File Checker by accessing ‘Command Prompt’ and typing ‘sfc /scannow’ in the bar. The computer will take any necessary action once the scan is completed successfully.
When you follow these troubleshooting steps in order, most of the time, your Windows key will get back to functioning, and navigation through Windows 10 will be as close as it should be.