Keyboards are a crucial component of a PC, so if even one of the keys fails to work, it can be challenging. For example, some users have been facing an issue where the Delete key is not working in Windows 11/10.
The Delete key is dedicated to removing any text, file, or folder easily and quickly. This means you do not need to right-click and select Delete, instead, hit the Delete button. However, like any other PC hardware component, the keyboard is also prone to occasional glitches.
Why is Delete not working in Windows 11?
This could happen for different reasons. For example, the keyboard keys may stop working after installing a Windows update, or there is an outdated or missing driver. Keyboard keys may also stop working due to a hardware glitch or incorrect keyboard layout settings.
The Delete key is not working on Windows 11/10
While for some users, it’s the Delete key that’s not working, for some, it’s both the Delete and the Backspace keys that fail to work at the same time. This issue could be application-specific. For example, many users have complained of this issue specifically with Microsoft Word. Whatever may be the reason, it could be frustrating when one of the keyboard keys is not working.
If the Delete key is not working, before you follow our suggestions, please clean the area around the Del key to ensure that nothing is suck there.
- Preliminary steps
- Run the Keyboard troubleshooter
- Update, Roll Back, or Uninstall the Keyboard Driver
- Change Power Management settings in Device Manager
- Disable Sticky & Filter Keys On Windows
- Turn on the Onscreen Keyboard
- Remap the Delete key
1] Preliminary steps
- Restart your PC to check if that helps.
- Clean your keyboard, and remove and put the batteries back again.
- Test your keyboard with another computer to rule out hardware issues.
- If you think it could be related, uninstall the last Windows Update to check if that helps.
Read: Keyboard Tab Key not working
2] Run the Keyboard troubleshooter
Windows offers built-in automated troubleshooters for different issues related to your system, and one of them is the keyboard troubleshooter. This dedicated troubleshooter helps you to fix issues related to your keyboard. So, if one of the keyboard keys, like the Delete key, is not working, run the Keyboard troubleshooter on your system to fix the issue.
Read: Left Alt key and Windows key are swapped
3] Update, Roll Back, or Uninstall the Keyboard Driver
In most cases, the issues with a certain key on your keyboard are related to the drivers. So, if the Delete key or your keyboard is not working, you can check if the current driver is outdated and if there is any latest version available. If yes, then update the driver to the latest version and check if it helps. You can also roll back the driver to the previous version or uninstall & reinstall the driver to check if it helps.
Read: Best Free Driver Updater Software for Windows
4] Change Power Management settings in Device Manager
Sometimes, the power management settings can interrupt the Keyboard’s functioning. In such a case, it’s advised to uncheck the Allow the computer to turn off this device option.
For this, open Device Manager > expand Keyboards > right-click on the device > Properties > Power Management tab > uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device option.
Read: Windows + P not working
5] Disable Sticky & Filter Keys on Windows
Enabling Sticky Keys allows you to use keyboard shortcuts by pressing one key at a time. While Sticky keys can be useful for those who have problems pressing down multiple keys together, they can affect the use of the Delete key or other keyboard keys and alter their behavior. In this case, it’s suggested that you disable the Sticky keys and check if it helps fix the issue.
Likewise, enabling the Filter keys allows the keyboard to ignore short or repeated keystrokes. However, sometimes, you need to hold down the Delete key to erase a sentence, but you cannot since the Fiilter keys option is enabled. This could be the reason why the Delete key is not working. Hence, it’s advised to turn off the Filter keys option to see if it helps fix the issue.
Read: Can’t Turn off Sticky Keys on Windows
6] Turn on the On-screen Keyboard
If you cannot fix the issue and get the Delete back to work, you can turn on the Windows On-screen keyboard option instead to make things easier.
For this, open Windows Settings (Win + I) > Accessibility > Interaction > Keyboard > On-screen keyboard, access keys, and Print screen > turn on On-screen keyboard.
Read: Fix On-Screen Keyboard not working in Windows
7] Remap the Delete key
Another way to make things work when any of the keyboard keys are not working would be to remap the Delete key.
To do this, you would need to install PowerToys. You can then follow the instructions in our detailed guide on remapping keyboard shortcuts.
If you do not wish to remap the Delete key or use the On-Screen keyboard, you may want to troubleshoot in Clean Boot State or perform a system restore to a prior good point and see if that helps.
However, if none of that works, you can contact a computer technician and seek his help. Alternatively, you can use an external keyboard until you get it fixed.
Read: How to reset Keyboard settings to default
How do I fix unresponsive keyboard keys in Windows 11?
If the keyboard keys on your Windows 11 PC are unresponsive, the primary fix would be to run the keyboard troubleshooter. However, if that fails to work, you may want to check if that keyboard works in the BIOS, reinstall the keyboard drivers, or reset the keyboard settings to fix the issue.
Why is Backspace not working in Windows 11?
The Backspace key may fail to work on Windows 11 sometimes due to factors like driver issues, Repeat Delay and Repeat Rate settings, Filter keys, etc. To fix this issue, you can either adjust the Repeat Delay and Repeat Rate settings, check the keyboard functionality, update/reinstall the keyboard driver, or disable the Filter keys.
