Hello, the Windows key on my keyboard in Windows 11 suddenly stopped working for 99% of inputs. Problem seemed to start when I walked away from PC for a bit. Weirdly, the key still works when I hit 'Win+L', but nothing else. The issue isn't at the keyboard level, as I've tried hitting the Win key on both the laptop and external keyboard. Here are some things I've tried/ruled out: Problem persists across Restarts Sticky keys and Filter Keys are switched off Tried uninstalling and reinstalling all keyboards in Device Manager sfc /scannow doesn't fix the problem. Tried restarting Explorer.exe process I don't have Win Lock on my keyboard, but maybe there's some other secret keyboard shortcut that I accidentally hit that caused this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, FN + Windows could resolve your issue. Like I had it couple of minutes ago, during the gaming I accidentally hit Windows + FN and after quitting the game I've noticed that it stopped to work. So I hit again FN + Windows and it worked. You are a genius! I also had Armory Crate and was about to go into it when I saw your post. How the heck did it get "locked" in the first place I dont know but I do see that little 🔒 on that key which makes sense you need to press Fn to activate/deactivate. Thank you!

Thank you for this! I have tried numerous solutions from altering Run programs, reinstalling new drivers, etc. and nothing worked. I just tried FN + Windows key and the Start up menu popped right up. I really need windows key to work for remote work into my iMac. The windows key acts as Apple's command key and without that function, tasks were very tetious!

Windows key not working (but is detected by Windows 11)

Anonymous

Hello, the Windows key on my keyboard in Windows 11 suddenly stopped working for 99% of inputs. Problem seemed to start when I walked away from PC for a bit. Weirdly, the key still works when I hit 'Win+L', but nothing else. The issue isn't at the keyboard level, as I've tried hitting the Win key on both the laptop and external keyboard.

Here are some things I've tried/ruled out:

Problem persists across Restarts
Sticky keys and Filter Keys are switched off
Tried uninstalling and reinstalling all keyboards in Device Manager
sfc /scannow doesn't fix the problem.
Tried restarting Explorer.exe process
I don't have Win Lock on my keyboard, but maybe there's some other secret keyboard shortcut that I accidentally hit that caused this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous

Also, FN + Windows could resolve your issue. Like I had it couple of minutes ago, during the gaming I accidentally hit Windows + FN and after quitting the game I've noticed that it stopped to work. So I hit again FN + Windows and it worked.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Thanks John. I've now solved the issue. After 2 days, the ASUS Armory Crate app finally gave me a pop-up telling me that my Windows key was disabled. I sometimes use the app to turn on 'Eco Mode' when I'm using the laptop on battery, so must have mis-clicked and pressed the button to disable the Windows key.

Cheers,

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Anonymous

2023-10-27T15:44:18+00:00

Also, FN + Windows could resolve your issue. Like I had it couple of minutes ago, during the gaming I accidentally hit Windows + FN and after quitting the game I've noticed that it stopped to work. So I hit again FN + Windows and it worked.

You are a genius! I also had Armory Crate and was about to go into it when I saw your post. How the heck did it get "locked" in the first place I dont know but I do see that little 🔒 on that key which makes sense you need to press Fn to activate/deactivate. Thank you!
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Anonymous

2024-01-11T22:26:47+00:00

Thank you for this! I have tried numerous solutions from altering Run programs, reinstalling new drivers, etc. and nothing worked. I just tried FN + Windows key and the Start up menu popped right up.

I really need windows key to work for remote work into my iMac. The windows key acts as Apple's command key and without that function, tasks were very tetious!
Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.

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