Guide to Fix Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working in Windows 10

Once you get used to keyboard shortcuts, there’s no going back. They’re convenient, save time, and help maximize productivity. If you’re unable to take advantage of these benefits because keyboard shortcuts don’t work (or stop working) on ​​your Windows 10 computer, we’ve compiled some helpful solutions to the problem in this guide.

While there are basic Windows shortcuts that work system-wide, you’ll also find application-specific keyboard shortcuts that vary from program to program. For example, some Google Chrome shortcuts may not work in Microsoft Edge. And this is normal. So before you continue troubleshooting your PC or keyboard, make sure you are using the correct key combinations.

If the problem persists, try restarting your computer (or the application not responding to keyboard shortcuts). If the situation remains the same when your computer restarts, continue with the solutions in the next section.

1. Change Sticky Keys Configuration

To perform actions using keyboard shortcuts, you can press combinations of keys simultaneously or follow them sequentially, ie one key at a time. Sometimes keyboard shortcuts may not work on your computer unless you press key combinations at the same time. In this case, you should enable Sticky Keys.

Sticky Keys is a Windows 10 feature that lets you press one key at a time for keyboard shortcuts. If you have difficulty performing actions using keyboard shortcuts, enable Sticky Keys on your computer.

Stage 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu and select ‘Ease of Access’.

Step 2: Go to Interaction from the left menu and select Keyboard.

Stage 3: Finally, turn on ‘Use Stick Keys’.

If this option has just been enabled on your computer, keyboard shortcuts will not work, turn it off and try again. If enabling and disabling Sticky Keys doesn’t make any difference, move on to the next troubleshooting fix below.

2. Disable Custom Keyboard Mods

Some mechanical keyboards have special modes that disable certain keys and shortcuts on your Windows computer. Gaming keyboards, for example, will temporarily lock the Windows keys when used in Gaming Mode. That way, the Start Menu won’t appear on the screen or interrupt your gameplay when you accidentally click the Windows key while gaming.

If you do not return the keyboard to normal programming after using it in Gaming mode, the locked keys will remain unusable. This causes some shortcuts to not work. Launch the keyboard’s software and disable any special mode that may affect system or application shortcuts.

3. Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter

If the keyboard shortcut error persists, you can use the Windows Keyboard Troubleshooter to diagnose and fix problems with your computer’s keyboard.

Stage 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu and select ‘Update and Security’.

Step 2: Go to the Troubleshoot tab and click on Keyboard.

Stage 3: Next, click the ‘Run the troubleshooter’ button.

Wait for the Troubleshooter to complete the keyboard diagnosis. If it detects any problems with your computer’s keyboard, the Troubleshooter will try to fix them or suggest troubleshooting solutions.

If no problems are detected, proceed to the next method.

4. Restart and Refresh Human Interface Device Service

The activities you run on your Windows PC are hosted in the background by their respective services. Keyboard shortcuts/shortcuts in Windows 10 are supported by the ‘Human Interface Device (HID) Service’.

If this service is not working properly or has stopped working, you may encounter difficulties using keyboard shortcuts on your computer. Follow the steps below to (re)start and refresh.

Stage 1: Right-click the lower left corner of your PC’s screen and select Run from the Quick Access Menu.

Step 2: Medicine services.msc Enter the Open dialog and click OK.

Stage 3: Right-click on ‘Human Interface Device Service’ and select Start from the context menu.

Select Restart if the service is already running.

Step 4: Then right click on the service again and this time select Refresh.

5. Re-enable Windows Key Hotkeys

Stage 1: Right-click the lower left corner of your PC’s screen and select Run from the Quick Access Menu.

Step 2: Medicine gpedit.msc Enter the Open dialog and click OK.

Stage 3: In the left menu of the ‘Local Group Policy Editor’ window navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.

Double-click on the item labeled ‘Turn off Windows Key hotkeys’.

Step 4: Make sure it is set to Disabled (or Not Configured). Click Apply and OK to continue.

If the keyboard shortcuts still do not work as expected after doing the above, restart your computer and try again.

Clean your keyboard too

This is how you fix the problem when keyboard shortcuts stop working on your Windows 10 computer. Most of the time, you will find dirt getting into the tiny gaps and crevices of your computer keyboard. These can clog keys and as a result prevent some shortcuts from working. Clean your computer’s keyboard and check if that restores non-functional shortcuts. You can try updating the driver before cleaning the keyboard. This may help resolve the issue.

Next: If your Windows 10 keyboard is in a different non-US English language, read the article linked below to learn how to change it to your preferred language/layout.