Windows Key Not Working on Windows 10 [SOLVED]

In the digital world, Keyboard whether it is our computer system or our phone we can’t type anything without a keyboard, it helps us to write. The keyboard is not only used in typing but also it has many other uses like keys that are used as a shortcut for different software. From all the key collections there’s a small key with a window logo is called Windows key, which is built to execute the Windows operating system.

Generally, it is placed between the Alt and Ctrl button of the keyboard on the left side with a Microsoft logo on it! If you generally press this key you will be navigated to the start menu also it provides the shortcut of many window functions when it is used or pressed with other keys simultaneously. But it became a problem when this key does not work properly due to some errors and in this article, you can find how to overcome them.

How to Fix Windows Key Not Working error on Windows 10

Facing trouble while using your system makes us irritating. Many users reported that they are unable to use the Windows key properly. But nothing to worry about as in this article we have come up with 10 solutions for this particular Windows key issue. So scroll down to get ten successful methods for this issue are :

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Method 1 – Change Your Registry

It had been reported by many users that they faced such an error with the Windows key which is caused by the problem with the registry. Well, there’s a caution that you need to be very careful while fixing this error as it may affect your hard drive or your PC. So it is a safe play if you back up your registry as if there’s high damage in registry Windows 10 file explorer will not open so for this you can export your registry and can backup them. This is a simple method to fix this type of error. For this :

Open task manager and in the new window go to file. There you need to run a new task.
In the new run command box type “regedit” and click OK or hit the enter button.
In the appeared window go to the left panel and elect HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard layout button.
Now you need to expand the layout key and search for Snapcode Map registry entry. After finding you need to remove or delete it.
Now close and exit Registry Editor and give a restart to your system.

Now check if the problem persists or not. Well, some users may unable to find the Snapcode Map registry entry, because it might not be there on their computer and for that, they can apply other methods mentioned below.

Method 2 – Perform Malware and Virus Scan

Contagious virus and undesirable malware can harm your system as well as it can lead to hard drive problems which can trigger Windows key error Windows 10. Well, this method can totally disable the Windows key so to get a confirmation on this issue always does a full system scan. Still, except this, you can detect the presence of harmful software in your system by downloading and running malware removal tools like Malwarebytes and Windows defender. For this follow these steps :

Go to the start menu and hit the settings button.
Opt for Update and Security. Then you will find the Windows defender option and click on it.
On the left side, you will see the shield type icon and navigate to that.
Then firstly click on the advanced scan and then select a full scan.

Now after removing harmful software from your system, check if the Windows key is working properly or not. If not scroll down to get other methods.

Method 3 – Disable the Gaming Mode

Well, this segment is applicable for those who play games and uses a gaming keyboard that has been designed and developed by developers where some keys will be disabled while playing games so that it can’t interrupt your gaming session. But this advantage can become a disadvantage when it triggers this issue because of having game mode on the gaming keyboard.

Developers planned this so that you can enjoy a hassle free game because as an example, mistakenly pressing Windows key while playing games will minimize your game and will navigate to the start menu. If you are a gamer then you can feel how does it seem when such thing happens while playing online with friend. So, after thinking about all these measures developers developed game mode and as a result gaming keyboard supports game mode.

Nevertheless, if you are using a gaming keyboard and also you are facing Windows key not working error in your personal computer, check if the game mode is on or off.

Well, there’s some exception like Apex M800 keyboard whose gaming mode is in hidden state and here to disable you need to hold the SteelSeries button and then hit the Windows key which will off this facility. Still, it is recommended to look at your keyboard as different keyboard have different methods to disable this function and you need to take step accordingly.

Method 4 – Check out the Win Lock Button

Win Lock Button is developed by developers to disable the win key present on your keyboard and there are some keyboards who have Win Lock Button. In many gaming keyboards, it contains this Win Lock Button in order to give you a hassle-free game session so that you can not exit from your game accidentally to your desktop or home screen. So you need to check your keyboard for that whether it contains Win Lock Button or not. If it contains then it is for you!

Well, you could easily locate this Win Lock Button on your keyboard near the right control button. After getting this fixed Win Lock Button you need to press it to make your Windows key start working again so you can easily troubleshoot this Windows key not working error for this reason easily.

Method 5 – Create a New Account

It has been reported by some users that sometimes this error of Windows 10 can be shooted by some easy steps. You can overcome this problem by creating a new user account, for this you can go through these steps accordingly :

Go to Settings and click on the account section.
Now, select the option labeled Family and other people.
Under this category, you will find the other people labeled option and now click on Add someone else to this PC.
Now search for the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” option.
Now select the option “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
Name your new user account and finally click on the next button to finish the process.

After creating this new user account sign out from your previous account and sign in to your new user account. Now check if the Windows key is going without any problem or the problem is still persisting. Now if the Windows key is working properly on the new user account means the error of the Windows key is not rising anymore this means in your PC this software is causing the issue. So now once it is settled then start moving your files and folders to your new user account and start treating it as your admin account. Well, if this method doesn’t work for you, try other methods!

Method 6 – Perform a System File Checker Scan

Beyond those causes, corrupted Windows 10 is another one. This issue can occur if the Windows 10 which is installed in your computer is corrupted and this can head towards stopping certain functions work properly in your Windows 10. To troubleshoot this issue you can go through a System File Checker (SFC). For this follow the following steps :

Go to task manager and opt for the File option then click on Run new task.
Under this category type cmd and make sure the box is checked which is situated beside the Create this task with admin privileges.
Now new command prompt window will appear and there you need to type sfc /scannow and press Enter key.
Now wait until your scan gets done! This scan will check about your Windows 10 installation.
Now restart your computer once everything is done and check.

After restarting check if the problem fixed or not. If this problem persists, navigate to the command prompt and type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command and check for this problem’s existence in your system till now. If yea then scrolls down.

Method 7 – Uninstall Bad Keyboard Drivers

Uninstalling the Bad Keyboard driver can make a way to fix it. For this follow this step:

Navigate to the Start menu and opt for Run or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc at a time to open task manager. Now from there go to the file option and select run a new task.
In the command box type devmgmt.msc to open a new window of the device manager and hit the enter button to execute it.
You will see a keyboard section appear and you need to expand it first and apply a right-click on current keyboard drivers and opt for uninstalling device labeled option.
Now to remove the faulty drivers, select the option uninstall or yes from the upcoming warning message.
For the USB keyboard, unplug it first and again plug it or you can simply give a restart to your computer so that Windows can reinstall the drivers automatically. If there’s any problem regarding USB ports you need to fix them accordingly.
Now check if the Windows key is working properly or not.

If it is not working properly then go for the other methods.

Method 8 – Use PowerShell Command

PowerShell Command line tool can be useful for this particular issue which can be enabled to remove Windows 10 components. So sometimes with this method, you can shoot this problem but it is recommended here to be careful as carelessness can be harmful to your computer and can damage Windows 10 system. This PowerShell Command can made the unwanted result of your computer system so it is recommended to create a new System Restore Point which you can use to restore if there anything wrong happen to Windows 10 computer system. To apply this step follow accordingly :

Go to the start menu and open run or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together to open task manager.
Under the task manager category you will see the file option and from there click on Run new task.
Then go to the PowerShell and then make sure there’s a checkmark on the option “Create this task with administrative privileges.” and hit enter or press the OK button.
Under PowerShell category in the command box type Get-AppXPackage –AllUsers | For each {Add-AppxPackage –DisableDevelopmentMode –Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}. And press the Enter button from your keyboard.
With this method, after this Windows key should work properly.

If this method doesn’t work for you then it could be due to other problems in the system. Scroll down to know and fix them.

Method 9 – Restart Your Windows or File Explorer

With this method, you also can overcome this problem as the Windows user interface can be controlled by file explorer. In this strategy easily you can solve this by giving a restart to your file explorer or Windows on your PC. For this:

From your keyboard press Ctrl + Alt + Del keys simultaneously and navigate to task manager.
Go to gab labeled Process and opt for Explorer in the window and hit a right-click on this. Now click on the end task option.
Again now click on the file named option and select Run new task.
Now type “explorer.exe” on the box and press the Enter key to execute it.
Now check if the error of the Windows key persists or not.

Method 10 – Switch off the Filter Keys

Filter Keys are those by whose instructions your keyboard can ignore or make the system slow down to repeated keystrokes and adjust the repeat rate. So, if they are in on mode in your PC it can cause many problems and from the Windows key not working error is another. Filter Keys can also affect Windows key but on some certain keyboards. Furthermore, it’s error can result in Low memory issue in Windows 10. So to turn it off you can follow those steps :

Navigate to the start menu and go to the settings.
On the settings page, a bit of scrolling down can show you the option Ease of Access and click on it.
Then you will find the keyboard tab on the left side there and click on it.
Again scroll down to opt for filter Keys and then turn them off.

Restart your computer and check if it is running properly.