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.

Thank you! This fixed my problem.

THANK YOU! This worked immediately. I am illiterate with computers and had no hope in hell at figuring this out on my own. Pushing both FN key and Windows key re-enabled my windows key instantaneously. Very much appreciated

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.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

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.

0 comments

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,

0 comments

45 additional answers

Anonymous

2024-03-18T06:18:01+00:00

Thank you! This fixed my problem.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2024-03-22T04:25:41+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.

works like a charm!!! thanks!!!
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2024-04-26T00:03:40+00:00

THANK YOU!

This worked immediately. I am illiterate with computers and had no hope in hell at figuring this out on my own. Pushing both FN key and Windows key re-enabled my windows key instantaneously.

Very much appreciated
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments