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. i got really mad this evening. you see, i use a steelseries keyboard and i had the same problem. as i have regularly have problems with my pc, i tried doing what john said above, but the only thing it did is just give away some errors. then i saw your comment, and took a look at my keyboard. craaap, there was a light above "w lock". i started googling. yes, that was the issue. hit the win + steelseries keys. started working as ever. just an anegdote. god, what the hell is winlock for?

For me with an HP OMEN laptop. Try both FN and F12 keys. Completely forgot i had a windows shut off key for my F12. Got lost for a second because FN + windows key didn't solve it and thought it was the OMEN gaming hub bugging out. Trying examining you're guyes keyboard to look for any other keys with the windows symbol than the normal one. will defo save you the headache i had.

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.

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

2024-02-26T19:43:58+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.

i got really mad this evening. you see, i use a steelseries keyboard and i had the same problem. as i have regularly have problems with my pc, i tried doing what john said above, but the only thing it did is just give away some errors. then i saw your comment, and took a look at my keyboard. craaap, there was a light above "w lock". i started googling. yes, that was the issue. hit the win + steelseries keys. started working as ever.

just an anegdote.
god, what the hell is winlock for?
Was this answer helpful?

3 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2024-07-30T03:12:37+00:00

For me with an HP OMEN laptop. Try both FN and F12 keys. Completely forgot i had a windows shut off key for my F12. Got lost for a second because FN + windows key didn't solve it and thought it was the OMEN gaming hub bugging out. Trying examining you're guyes keyboard to look for any other keys with the windows symbol than the normal one. will defo save you the headache i had.
Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
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.

0 comments No comments