Windows key not working in game in Windows 11

If the Windows logo key is not working in games on your PC, this post is for you. Windows key quickly opens up the Start menu on your computer. When pressed with other keys, it performs other actions. For example, Winkey+D displays the desktop, Winkey+M minimizes all windows, etc. You can also use it to exit the fullscreen game while playing games. Some users have complained that the Windows key does nothing in games. Let us find out why this issue occurs.

Why is the Windows button not working in game Windows 11?

One primary reason is enabling game mode on your keyboard. Most modern gaming keyboards have a game mode feature that disables the Windows key so that it doesn’t exit the fullscreen game if pressed accidentally. Another reason is that the Windows key is unintentionally or intentionally locked using the Win Lock key.

You might face this issue in other scenarios, including enabled filter keys, remapped keys, corrupted keyboard drivers, software conflicts, etc.

Windows key not working in game in Windows 11

If the Windows key is not working in games on your Windows 11/10 PC, you can use the below solutions to fix the issue:

1. Make sure the Windows key is not damaged.
2. Unlock the Win key or press the Fn + Win key.
3. Disable the gaming mode.
4. Update/reinstall your keyboard drivers.
5. Disable Filter keys.
6. Restart Explorer.
7. Enable Windows Key using this registry tweak.

1] Make sure the Windows key is not damaged

Before attempting any other fix, rule out the possibility of your Windows logo key being physically damaged. Check whether the key is working elsewhere or not. You can also try clearing the dust from the keys to see if it works properly.

2] Unlock the Win key or press the Fn+Win key

If you have a gaming keyboard, it will likely have a Lock button to disable the Windows key. Look for the Win Lock button on your keyboard and press it to unlock the Windows key.

Some affected users have also reported that pressing the Function (Fn) key with the Windows key worked for them. So, you can try doing the same and see if it helps you enable Windows key in games.

3] Disable the gaming mode

This issue can often occur if your computer’s gaming mode is enabled. The Game Mode feature is handy but often triggers conflicts with your keyboard’s regular functioning. It also disables the Windows and Menu key functions to avoid accidental usage.

You can find the Gaming Mode button on your keyboard and press it to disable the feature. For some gaming keyboards, you might have to press a combination of keys to disable or enable the game mode. If you have a Razor keyboard, press the Fn+F10 key combination to enable/disable gaming mode. If you own a Logitech gaming keyboard, you can use Fn+F8 hotkey to disable game mode. For the Alienware gaming keyboard, you can press Fn+F6 to enable/disable game mode. Similarly, you can disable game mode on other keyboards to get the Windows key working correctly in games.

See: Fix Win+Shift+S keyboard shortcut is not working

4] Update/reinstall your keyboard drivers

The issue might occur in case your keyboard drivers are faulty or outdated. So, make sure your keyboard drivers are up to date. You can use the Device Manager to update your Keyboard drivers. If that doesn’t work, you can uninstall the driver and reinstall it to fix the issue.

5] Disable Filter keys

If you have Filter keys turned on, it will avoid or slow down repeated keystrokes and might affect the functioning of your Windows key. Hence, disable the Filter keys in your Settings and see if they work. Here’s how to do that:

• First, open the Settings app using the Windows Search.
• Now, go to the Accessibility tab and select Keyboard.
• next, switch off the toggle associated with the Filter keys option.

Read: Fix Spacebar or Enter key is not working on Windows.

6] Restart File Explorer

Another thing you can do to fix the issue is to restart the File Explorer. It will clear all the errors preventing the Windows user interface from functioning correctly.

• First, press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to open the Task Manager.
• Now, locate the Windows Explorer task and right-click on it.
• Next, choose the Restart option from the appeared context menu.
• Once done, see if the Windows key is working fine.

Read: Fix Windows + P not working on Windows PC.

7] Enable Windows Key using this registry tweak

You can enable the Windows key using Registry Editor. First, create a backup of your Registry to be able to restore it in case of a wrong modification.

Now, open the Registry Editor and move to the following key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

From the right-side pane, select the Scancode Map registry entry, press the Delete button, and press Yes on the confirmation prompt. This will reset all your keys to their regular functions if remapped.

Once done, close Registry Editor and restart your PC to check if the issue is resolved.

Bonus tip: If your game controller is plugged in, try unplugging it. It might be that the Windows key is not working because your gamepad is connected, and a button is pressed on it. So, disconnect it and ensure that no button is pressed to check if the issue is resolved. If the issue is fixed, update your gamepad and use it in your games.

See: Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V not working in Windows.

Why is my Windows shortcut not working in Windows 11?

If the keyboard or Windows key shortcuts are not working on your Windows PC, it could be because the “Turn off Windows Key hotkeys” group policy is enabled. Other than that, conflicting software, glitches with the Human Interface Device service, and language settings can be other reasons why you can use Windows key shortcuts.

Read next: Keyboard Shortcuts not working in Word.