How to Fix the Windows Key or Button Not Working on Windows 11

Windows keys not only can open/close Start Menu, but also be used to execute many common key shortcuts. For example, Windows + R will launch Run dialog, Windows + I will open settings app. All of these can be opened by other ways, but Windows key is faster and more convenient, so losing this feature will lower your work efficiency.

It is not difficult to solve this problem. In this guide, we will tell you how to solve the Windows key not working issue.

You can read the following posts to learn more about various keyboard issues:

How to Create Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 10 and 11 .

Solve: Keyboard Numbers not Working in Windows 10 & 11 .

How to Control Your Mouse Using a Keyboard on Windows .

1. Initial ways

Before using other way to solve your issue, try following first:

• Connect a different/external keyboard to your system and check if the button works
• Make sure the keyboard you are using currently is turned on.
• If your keyboard is battery powered or wireless, change the battery.
• If you use a Bluetooth keyboard, unpair it and pair it again.
• Clean your keyboard to avoid something from stucking under the key.

If the Windows key still doesn't work, try the fixes below.

2. Disable game mode

Windows 11 is optimized for games with game mode, which doesn't mean it is perfect. In fact, Game mode comes with some drawbacks, which may interfere with game or conflict with keyboards, causing the Windows key not working.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2: Click Gaming.

Step 3: Click Game Mode.

Step 4: Turn the toggle Game Mode off.

3. Turn off the filter keys feature

There's a known bug in Windows 11's filter key feature which cause issues with your keyboard. You can turn off the filter keys feature to restore your Windows key issue.

Step 1: Right-click the Windows icon on the left corner of your desktop and click Control Panel.

Step 2: Navigate to Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center > Make the keyboard easier to use.

Step 3: Under Make it easier to type, make sure that the checkbox next to Turn on Filter Keys is empty.

Step 4: Click Apply and OK.

4. Delete registry key

Registry key might lead to a Windows key problem. You can simply try to delete it to get the Windows keys back to the working order. Here' re how to do.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run dialog, then type regedit to launch the registry editor.

Step 2: Locate the following registry key by double-clicking their name.

     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout 
       

Step 3: Right-click the ScancodeMap registry key and click press Delete.

Note: If you can't find this key, it's most likely not available on your device - please try other different ways below.

Step 4: Then restart your computer.

5. Create a new user account

You can try to create a new account to solve the Windows key issue, if nothing wrong in the new account, you just need to transfer your files over and begin use the new account, where you will get a fresh OS environment.

Step 1: Press Windows + I keys together to open Settings.

Step 2: Click Accounts.

Step 3: Click Family & other users.

Step 4: Scroll down and click Add someone else to this PC. Instead of signing in to a Microsoft account, click I don't have this person's sign-in information.

Step 5: Click Add a user without a Microsoft account.

Step 6: Type in a Username and add a password, then click Next. A new user will be created immediately.