14 Ways to Fix Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working on Windows 11/10
Unable to use keyboard shortcuts on your Windows PC? There may be problems with your keyboard hardware, drivers, shortcut change, or some Windows setting. Whatever the reason that is causing the keyboard shortcuts issue on your Windows PC, we will show every possible way to fix keyboard shortcuts not working on your Windows PC.
Table of Contents
1. Check if Keyboard Hardware is Working
Let’s begin with minor and common issues. The first thing you should do is a hardware check. attempt to plug the keyboard into another USB port if any of the keys are not working.
If you are facing an issue with only some specific keys, try using another keyboard with your PC to verify. If other keyboards are working properly, then the issue is with your keyboard itself. Similarly, you can also try using your keyboard with other PCs. If shortcuts are working fine on the other PC, then the issue may be with your PC’s software. This will help you understand if the problem is with your keyboard or with the software.
If the issue is with the hardware, make sure to clean the keyboard. There can be specks of dirt or debris accumulated under the keyboard keys. If cleaning isn’t helping you, then you have to replace the keyboard. you’re able to also check out thesetips to use your PC with a broken keyboard.
2. Restart the PC
If the issue is with the software, before tweaking the Windows settings, try restarting your PC first. Often, a simple restart can iron out many issues like keyboard shortcuts not working on Windows PC by clearing the bugs present in the memory on your computer. To restart, click on theWindows iconin the bottom bar >Power iconand then select theRestartoption.
3. Troubleshoot the Keyboard
Windows comes preinstalled with troubleshooting tools that can find and fix common errors. Running the keyboard troubleshooter may fix keyboard shortcuts not working on Windows.
1.On Windows 11, Open theSettings app > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Whereas on Windows 10, open theSettings app > Update and security > Additional troubleshooters.
2.Here, click on theRunbutton beside the Keyboard option to run the Keyboard Troubleshooter.
3.This process can run up to 5 minutes.
4. Update/Reinstall Keyboard Drivers
For the most part, troubleshooting the keyboard should fix the problems. But if it does not, try updating the keyboard drivers. Drivers are a piece of software that connects hardware to the OS. Updating keyboard drivers to the latest version will ensure there are no bugs in the connection.
1.Right-click on theWindows iconand then select theDevice Manageroption.
- In the Device Manager window, select theKeyboardsoption to open the drop-down.
3.Here you should find all the attached keyboards. Right-click on the keyboard where shortcuts are not working and then select theUpdate driveroption.
4.In the pop-up window, selectSearch automatically for drivers.
5.If there is an available driver update, your PC will automatically install it.
If updating the driver isn’t solving the issue, you can try reinstalling the driver.
1.To do that, just right-click on the keyboard and then selectUninstall driveroption.
2.In the pop-up, click onUninstallbutton to confirm.
3.Finally,restart your PCfor Windows to install the available driver again.
5. Update to the Latest Windows Version
Windows updates also include driver updates. So updating Windows to the latest version will also update the keyboard drivers and can also fix many other bugs.
1.To update to the latest version of Windows 11, open theSettings app > Windows update. On Windows 10, open theSettings app > Updates and security > Windows updates.
2.Then click onCheck for updates. If there are any updates available, click onDownload & install alloption.
Are keyboard shortcuts now working on your Windows 10/11 computer? If not, maybe you have a keyboard with a gaming mode?
6. Disable Special Keyboard Modes
Some keyboards come with special modes such as gaming. These modes disable some keyboard shortcuts to prevent you from pressing the wrong buttons accidentally while gaming. If you own a gaming keyboard, for instance, try disabling them to use your Keyboard shortcuts properly.
7. Turn Off Sticky Keys
Sticky keys are a Windows feature that changes the behavior of Windows shortcuts. For example, instead of pressingWindows Key + Ito open Settings, you need to press theWindows keyand then press theIkey (one at a time instead of together) to open Settings. This can be helpful for people who have issues using keyboard shortcuts on Windows. Anyhow, if this setting is turned on, it will disable the default Windows shortcuts behavior.
1.To disable it on Windows 11, open theSettings app > Accessibility > Keyboard. On Windows 10, open theSettings app > Ease of Accessand then selectKeyboard.
2.In the Keyboard settings, verify the toggle beside theSticky Keysis turned off.
8. Reset Keyboard Settings
If none of the above options worked, try resetting the Keyboard Settings. On Windows, there is no special option that can reset the keyboard settings. But if you change the language and then change it back to your preferred language, it will reset all keyboard settings including your layout, themes, text correction, autosuggestion, etc.
1.Open theSettings app > Time and language > Language and region. Under the Preferred Languages section, you will see a list of installed language packs.
2.Click on themeatballs menubeside the language name and then select theRemoveoption.
3.You cannot remove the primary language directly. To remove it, click onAdd a languagebutton and add any language.
4.Now drag that added language to the top making it a primary language.
5.Now click on themeatballs menubeside your preferred language and then selectRemoveto remove it. This will remove all the keyboard settings.
6.Once done, click onAdd a languagebutton and add your preferred languages back.
- Drag your preferred language to the top making it primary again. Now you’re able to remove the added language by clicking on theMeatballs iconbeside it and then selecting theRemoveoption.
9. Disable NoWinKeys from Registry Editor
Registry Editor is a graphical tool that helps users to configure system files and settings. OnRegistry Editor, there is an option to toggle off Windows keyboard shortcuts. If other shortcuts are working fine, but you have an issue with only shortcuts that include the Windows key, then Registry Editor might be the culprit. Making any changes in the registry editor can damage your device beyond repair. So ensure totake a backupbefore making any changes.
1.Click on theWindows iconand search for theRegistry Editor appand open it. In the pop-up, click onYesto make changes in the Registry Editor.
2. Now paste this path into the address bar above.
Note:If you are not able to find the Explorer option, then you’re able to consider NoWinKeys is set to default. This means that the shortcuts issue is not with the Registry Editor.
3.Now in the right pane, right-click on the NoWinKeys option and selectModify.
4.Make sure the value is set to0and click onOK.
10. Turn on Shortcuts from Group Policy Editor
Group policy is a graphical toolsimilar to the Registry editor. Unlike on the Registry editor where you may disable the Windows key shortcuts, with Group Policy, you can disable all shortcuts. However,
1.Open Command Prompt and entergpedit.mscand pressEnter.
Note:Group Policy Editor is not available on the Windows Home edition. If you do not have Group Policy Editor, you can skip this step considering all the settings in Group Policy are set to default.
2.Now on the Group Policy Editor, navigate toUser Configuration>Administrative Templates>Windows Components>File Explorer.
3.Now in the right pane, double-click onTurn off Windows keys hotkeys.
- In the pop-up window, select theDisabledoption and then click onOKand thenApply.
11. Run DISM
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool fixes any defects in the Windows image. Running it on your PC can change a few settings like Registry Editor settings to their default settings.
1.Open theCommand Prompt in administrator mode.
2.Then in the Command Prompt, enter the following command and pressEnter.
3.The process may take 2 – 5 minutes. Once the above command scans the Windows image health, enter the following command and then press Enter.
4.Within a few minutes, the tool will fix any defects in the Windows image.
12. Run System File Checker
Similar to DISM, System File Check (SFC) tool can scan for any corrupted system files and replace them with their original state.
1.Open theCommand Prompt as an administrator.
2.Then type the following command and pressEnter.
- Once the tool does its work, check if the problem is solved.
13. Restart Human Interface Device Service
Human Interface Device (HID) Services are just services that control human interface devices such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, etc.
1.Click on theWindows icon, search for theServices app, and open it.
2.In the Services app, scroll down and right-click on theHuman Interface Device Servicesoption.
3.In the pop-up menu, click on theStartoption. If the service is already in the start, click onRestart.
4.Now double-click on theHuman Interface Device Servicesoption. In the pop-up window, click on the drop-down beside the Startup type and change it from Manual toAutomatic, To save, click onOKand thenApply.
14. Check Third-Party Apps
On Windows, third-party apps can change system features such as keyboard shortcuts. You might have installed an app that disabled or remapped the Windows keyboard shortcuts. There are also apps like Power Toys, that can evenremap keyboard keys on your Windows PC.
Check for apps that you might have installed on your PC. You can disable any setting in those apps that are causing the issue or you can clean and uninstall those apps.
Fix Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows
We have covered troubleshooting the keyboard to enabling shortcuts from Group Policy Editor. If any of the above-mentioned ways failed to fix keyboard shortcuts not working on Windows error, try resetting the device in order to get back to the default state. If you have any backup of your Windows PC when it is working fine, thenyou can also system restore to that working version.
Ravi Teja KNTS
Tech writer with over 4 years of experience at TechWiser, where he has authored more than 700 articles on AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. His journey started with a passion for discussing technology and helping others in online forums, which naturally grew into a career in tech journalism. Ravi’s writing focuses on simplifying technology, making it accessible and jargon-free for readers. When he’s not breaking down the latest tech, he’s often immersed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.
