Fix: Windows Button or Key not Working

Since the invention of the start menu, keyboards have had the Windows key (also known as the Winkey). This is a physical key with the Microsoft Windows logo embedded on keyboards usually on the left of the keyboard which is linked to the Start Menu, so when you press this key Start menu opens and if it doesn’t open the either the Start Menu or the Windows button is not working. Some keyboards also have two; on the right and on the left of the keyboard. The Windows key quickly brings up the start menu; which is the most common procedure on a Windows computer. This saves time on dragging the mouse to the Start menu button on your screen.

However, for some users, this button has caused nothing but frustration. Whenever they press the Windows Key on the laptop, it does not seem to do its dedicated work of bringing up the start menu. This means Windows key shortcuts will also not work. Shortcuts like Winkey + L to log out, Winkey + D to bring up the desktop, Winkey + R to open run, Windows Key + I to open Settings, or Windows Key + Tab to sweep through tasks will not work. However, the start menu still works fine when you use the mouse. Others however cannot get this to work either. This article will help in explaining this problem and give you fixes to it.

Reasons why your Windows Key does not Work

This problem is related to either your PC settings including the software you have installed, or it could be tied to your keyboard itself. Your best bet is to try another keyboard if you have one. If the problem disappears that suggests you have a suspect key on the original keyboard. If the problem doesn’t go away you can assume it’s a Windows problem. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to bring up task manager. If the task manager does not come up, then you might have a malware problem.

A common reason for this problem is as seen on gaming keyboards. These keyboards have two modes; a standard mode and a gaming mode. There is a switch to change between these modes. You might flip a switch, press a button, use the software, or use a combination to toggle between the modes. The gaming mode stops the Windows key from working to prevent your game from exiting when the Windows key is accidentally pressed.

There is also a possibility that your Windows key is disabled within the Windows OS registry editor itself, hence Windows is not able to accept a request by this key. A disabled start menu will also show this problem. This could have been done by some software, game, or malware.

Bad drivers, incompatible drivers, or outdated drivers can also cause your keyboard to freeze your Windows key. These symptoms can also be manifested if File Explorer/Windows Explorer, which drives your user interface, did not start correctly. There could also be a conflict between devices as seen when the game controller is plugged in.

In the worst cases, your keyboard could be mechanically or electrically damaged hence needing replacement. Here are solutions that could get you back on track.

Note: Since Windows Shortcuts will not work because of this error, we are going to use longer methods instead of windows shortcuts that require the Windows Key.

Method 1: Disable Gaming Mode on your Keyboard

Some keyboards, usually marketed as “gaming”, have the ability to turn off Windows keys via some hardware switch or Fn key combination in order to prevent pressing this key which usually exits your game. The gaming mode key is usually marked with a joystick drawing. Here is how to disable gaming mode on some of the popular gaming keyboards.

1. On Logitech keyboards, there is a switch above the F1, F2 & F3 function keys that you can flip to the right for gaming mode and to the left for regular use. Flip it to the left. Other versions have a gaming mode button above F4, press the button to toggle in between gaming and standard modes.
   
2. In some keyboards, beside the right Ctrl button, instead of a second Windows button, there is a “Win Lock” button (not the menu button). Press it to enable the Windows key.
3. Corsair keyboards have their own software to adjust lighting, functionality, etc. Run the Corsair software (which has an option to enable/disable the windows key) and enable your Windows key.
4. The Azio keyboard also has such a switch in the MGK1 series. MGK1 & MGK1-K: Press FN and F9 at the same time. For MGK1-RGB: Press FN and Windows Start Key at the same time.
5. For the MSI computer/laptop keyboards, you can switch turn on the Windows key from the Dragon Gaming Center > System Tuner.
   
6. For the ibuypower keyboard, press fn + ibuypower (aka windows key) to toggle Windows key on and off
   For Alienware gaming keyboard, press Fn + F6 to toggle gaming mode on and off
7. For MS Sidewinder keyboard, go into MS Keyboard & Mouse Center and you can click the Windows key in the dashboard and set it to enabled/disabled
   

Method 2: Enable Windows Key using Registry Edit

The registry can allow or restrict a lot including keyboard keys and menu items. To enable your Windows key:

1. Click Start, type ‘Run’ and click Run, or in Windows 8/10 right click on the start button and click run
   
2. Type ‘regedt32’, and then click OK. Click Yes if you get any EULA message asking for confirmation.
   
3. On the Windows menu, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.
4. Double-click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, and then click the Keyboard Layout folder
5. Right-click the Scancode Map registry entry, and then click Delete.
   
6. Click Yes on the confirmation/warning message.
   
7. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.

If you need to disable Windows key again, we have a guide for you on our website (here).

Method 3: Re-Register all Apps

This will clear any software conflict with your keyboard

1. Click on the Windows button.
2. Type ‘PowerShell‘ and then right click on ‘Windows PowerShell’ and run as an administrator.
   
3. If your start button doesn’t work when you click on it, go to this location:

   C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows PowerShell\

   and right click on “Windows PowerShell” and run as administrator
   

4. Type or copy and paste the script below into the PowerShell window and press enter

   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

   

5. Restart your PC

Method 4: Enable the Start Menu

In cases where your start key does not bring up the start menu, there is a possibility the start menu was disabled. To enable it, follow the steps below.

1. Right click on the Start Button and select “Run” or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and go to File > click run a new task from task manager.
   
2. Type “regedit” (without the quotes)
   
3. Navigate to this key

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer > Advance

4. Right click on the right hand side panel and create a new DWORD (32-bit) value
   
5. Call the new key “EnableXamlStartMenu“
   
6. Restart your PC or restart Explorer using task manager as explained in method 5 below.

Method 5: Restart Windows / File Explorer

Explorer controls your Windows user interface. This method will restart Windows/File Explorer and clear any errors that prevented it from starting correctly.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del on the keyboard and click on task manager.
   
2. Click on the Process tab and locate Explorer in the windows and right click on it and select end task.
   
3. Click on File and then click on Run New Task.
   
4. Type ‘explorer.exe’ and press enter.
   

Method 6: Turn off Filter Keys

This has been seen as one of the culprits in Windows 8 and Windows 10 issues. Turning on filterkeys ignores or slows down repeated key strokes and adjusts repeat rates. Somehow, the windows key is also affected on some keyboards. To turn off filter keys:

1. Drag your mouse to the right edge of your Windows 8 PC and click settings. In windows 10, right click on your start menu and select settings.
   
2. From the Windows settings page, scroll down and click on Ease of Access
   
3. Click on the keyboard tab on the left hand pane
4. Scroll down to ‘filter keys’ and turn it off
   

Method 7: Uninstall and reinstall your keyboard drivers

Uninstalling the bad keyboard drivers will reinstall the correct drivers for your keyboard.

1. Right click on the Start Button and select “Run” or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open task manager and go to File > run a new task.
   
2. Type devmgmt.msc and hit enter to open device manager
   
3. Expand the ‘Keyboards’ section
4. Right click on your keyboard drivers and select ‘Uninstall device’
   
5. On the warning message that appears, click on ‘Yes’ or ‘Uninstall’ to remove these drivers
   
6. If you have a USB keyboard, unplug it then plug it back in. Or restart your computer. Windows will reinstall the drivers automatically. Check if Windows key now functions.

Method 8: Unplug your game controller

Your Windows key might not function some times when your game pad is plugged in and a button is pressed down on the gaming pad. This could be caused by conflicting drivers. It is rear however, but all you need to do is unplug your gamepad or make sure no button is pressed down on your gaming pad or keyboard. Updating your gamepad or keyboard drivers might permanently solve this problem.

NB: Remember that this could also be a hardware/mechanical/electric problem on your keyboard that would warrant repair or replacement.

Start Menu not opening with Windows Key

If your Windows key is working fine everywhere but your Start Menu is not popping up after press the Windows key. It’s possible that your Cortana or Start menu files have been corrupted. In that case, you will have to head over to this article. You can click on this link if your Windows 10 Start Menu not working. We have covered this issue with extensive details and also gave some solutions/workarounds that you can try.