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

Anonymous
2023-03-29T07:36:46+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Input and language

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Anonymous
2023-10-20T12:35:51+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.

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Anonymous
2023-03-30T07:19:04+00:00

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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45 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-02-22T03:35:12+00:00

    I have an old Logitech G510 keyboard. It has a physical switch for "Gaming Mode" (it looks like a joystick). When it is moved right, the Game mode is on and it disables the Windows Logo key functions! The solution is to slide the switch left, to turn off the Game mode. Then the Windows Logo key works fine.

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    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2024-01-15T16:28:34+00:00

    Please see the code which was used as the response,

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  3. John DeV 170.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-03-30T09:06:27+00:00

    Hello ktek78,

    Thank you for updating me and sharing that information. Glad to hear the issue has been resolved.

    You're most welcome and have a great day.

    Kind regards,

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

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    6 people found this answer helpful.
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