Windows keyboard shortcuts are supposed to speed up your work — when they stop working it’s usually one of a few common issues. If Keyboard shortcuts don’t work in Windows 10, this guide explains why and gives clear fixes so you can get productivity back quickly.
You’ll learn the 13 most frequent causes (hardware, settings, drivers, third-party apps, system problems and more) and step-by-step solutions to diagnose and fix each one.
Key Takeaway
Most shortcut problems are caused by either a misconfigured accessibility/keyboard setting, a conflicting application capturing hotkeys, or a driver/system-shell issue; check accessibility and layout first, then the keyboard driver and running apps, and use sfc /scannow + DISM for deeper Windows corruption.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| 1. Hardware or connection issue | Test with another keyboard or port and replace or reconnect if needed. |
| 2. Wrong keyboard layout / language | Set the correct keyboard layout in Settings > Time & Language > Language. |
| 3. Fn or F Lock active (function keys behave differently) | Toggle Fn Lock (often Fn + Esc) or use your keyboard’s F-lock key. |
| 4. Sticky Keys / Filter Keys / Toggle Keys enabled | Turn off in Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard. |
| 5. On-Screen Keyboard or accessibility tools active | Disable On-Screen Keyboard in Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard. |
| 6. Third-party hotkey or keyboard software | Exit/uninstall keyboard utilities (AutoHotkey, Razer Synapse, etc.) and test. |
| 7. Background remote/control apps capturing keys | Close remote tools (TeamViewer, AnyDesk) or change their hotkey settings. |
| 8. Windows hotkeys disabled by Registry/Group Policy | Re-enable via gpedit.msc or delete/modify NoWinKeys in Registry. |
| 9. Outdated or corrupt keyboard driver | Update or uninstall driver in Device Manager > Keyboards and reboot. |
| 10. Explorer.exe or Windows Shell glitch | Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager. |
| 11. Corrupt system files | Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. |
| 12. Power settings / Fast Startup or USB suspend | Disable Fast startup and USB selective suspend in Power Options. |
| 13. Focus, RDP/VM or multi-desktop issues | Ensure correct window focus, adjust RDP key forwarding or VM host settings. |
Detailed Fixes for “Keyboard shortcuts don’t work in Windows 10”
1. Hardware or connection issue
Why it causes the problem:
A faulty keyboard, loose cable, or failing USB port can cause keys to miss presses or generate inconsistent input.
Step-by-step solution:
- Unplug the keyboard and plug it into another USB port (preferably a USB 2.0 port if available).
- If using Bluetooth, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, remove the device, then re-pair.
- Test with another known-good keyboard. If the second keyboard works, replace the original.
- Try the suspect keyboard on a different PC to confirm hardware failure.
Notes: Mechanical damage, liquid spills, or worn switches are common hardware causes.
2. Wrong keyboard layout or language
Why it causes the problem:
Different layouts (US vs UK, or AZERTY vs QWERTY) change where keys are mapped; some shortcuts can break or perform unexpected inputs.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Time & Language > Language.
- Under Preferred languages, select your language, click Options, then confirm the correct Keyboards are listed.
- Remove incorrect layouts and add the correct one via Add a keyboard.
- Use Windows key + Space to cycle layouts and make sure the correct one is active.
Tip: Lock a single layout to prevent accidental switching by removing extras.
3. Fn or F Lock active (function keys behave differently)
Why it causes the problem:
Some laptops require the Fn key to access F1–F12; Fn lock may invert behavior or disable expected hotkeys.
Step-by-step solution:
- Look for an Fn Lock key — often Fn + Esc, Fn + Caps Lock, or a dedicated key; press to toggle.
- Check your laptop’s BIOS/UEFI: restart, enter BIOS (commonly F2, Del), and find keyboard or function key behavior to set default.
- Consult your laptop manual for manufacturer-specific toggles (HP, Dell, Lenovo vary).
Tip: Some utility apps from the manufacturer (e.g., Lenovo Vantage) allow you to change Fn key behavior.
4. Sticky Keys / Filter Keys / Toggle Keys enabled
Why it causes the problem:
Accessibility features modify how Windows processes key presses (delays, single-key modifiers), which can make shortcuts fail.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
- Turn Off Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, and Toggle Keys.
- Optionally, disable the shortcut that turns these features on (click each setting and uncheck “Allow the shortcut key to start this feature”).
Tip: Windows will sometimes enable Filter Keys after a long press — uncheck those toggles.
5. On-Screen Keyboard or accessibility tools active
Why it causes the problem:
On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) or third-party accessibility apps may take input focus or intercept keys.
Step-by-step solution:
- Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and ensure Use the On-Screen Keyboard is Off.
- Close any third-party accessibility apps from the system tray or Task Manager > Processes.
Note: Some accessibility tools run at startup — disable them in Task Manager > Startup.
6. Third-party hotkey or keyboard software
Why it causes the problem:
Utilities like AutoHotkey, Razer Synapse, Logitech G Hub, Corsair iCUE can override or reserve hotkeys.
Step-by-step solution:
- Check running apps in the system tray and Task Manager > Processes for keyboard utilities.
- Exit those apps and test shortcuts. If fixed, change or remove conflicting key bindings in the app.
- To prevent startup, go to Task Manager > Startup, disable the offending app, or uninstall it.
Tip: Reinstall updated versions of the vendor software if you need the features.
7. Background remote/control apps capturing keys
Why it causes the problem:
Remote access or screen capture apps may redirect your keypresses to another machine or use global hotkeys.
Step-by-step solution:
- Close apps like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, LogMeIn, or screen-capture tools.
- Check their preferences for hotkey settings and change or disable them.
- Re-test shortcuts after quitting the application.
8. Windows hotkeys disabled by Registry or Group Policy
Why it causes the problem:
Windows allows administrators to disable Windows key combinations; this can be set by policy or registry.
Step-by-step solution (Group Policy):
- Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
- Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
- Find Turn off Windows+X hotkeys and set it to Not Configured or Disabled.
Step-by-step solution (Registry): - Press Windows key + R, type regedit, press Enter.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer (create keys if missing).
- If NoWinKeys exists and is set to 1, double-click and set to 0, or delete the value.
- Log out and back in or restart to apply.
Warning: Always back up the registry before editing: File > Export.
9. Outdated or corrupt keyboard driver
Why it causes the problem:
Drivers translate physical keystrokes into Windows input; corrupted or incompatible drivers can cause erratic behavior.
Step-by-step solution:
- Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, and choose Update driver → Search automatically.
- If that fails, choose Uninstall device, then reboot — Windows will reinstall a default driver.
- For manufacturer keyboards, download drivers from the vendor’s website.
Tip: If problems started after a driver update, use Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
10. Explorer.exe or Windows Shell glitch
Why it causes the problem:
Explorer manages the taskbar, desktop, and many key combinations; when it hangs, shortcuts may stop working.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Under Processes, find Windows Explorer, select it, and click Restart.
- If Explorer is not listed, choose File > Run new task, type explorer.exe, press Enter.
Note: Restarting Explorer is safe and often fixes shortcut/responsiveness issues.
11. Corrupt system files
Why it causes the problem:
Damaged Windows system files can break keyboard handling or shell operations.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator: press Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator.
- Run: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
- If issues persist, run:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Then rerun sfc /scannow.
- Reboot after repairs.
Tip: These commands may take 10–30 minutes; ensure internet connectivity for DISM.
12. Power settings / Fast Startup or USB selective suspend
Why it causes the problem:
Power saving can make USB ports unresponsive or keyboard drivers misbehave after sleep/boot.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Control Panel > Power Options (or Settings > System > Power & sleep then Additional power settings).
- Click Choose what the power buttons do → Change settings that are currently unavailable → uncheck Turn on fast startup, save.
- For USB: Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings > USB settings > USB selective suspend setting → Disabled.
- In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, for each USB Root Hub right-click → Properties > Power Management, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Note: Disabling Fast Startup can fix peripherals that don’t initialize properly.
13. Focus, Remote Desktop / VM, or multiple desktops
Why it causes the problem:
Shortcuts apply to the active focus/context; remote sessions or VMs may capture or remap keys, and virtual desktops change behavior.
Step-by-step solution:
- If using Remote Desktop, check the RDP toolbar option Show Windows key combinations or use the RDP connection options to send Windows key combos to the local machine.
- For VMs (VirtualBox, VMware), use the host key to switch focus and set input preferences in VM settings.
- Ensure the app/window you want to control is focused; click it before using shortcuts.
- If using multiple desktops, check which desktop is active with Task View (Windows key + Tab).
Tip: Press Alt + Tab to confirm focus shifts; test shortcuts in Notepad to isolate scope.
Preventive Maintenance and Best Practices
- Keep Windows and device drivers updated via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Avoid installing multiple keyboard utilities; use manufacturer software only when necessary.
- Create a restore point before editing the Registry or installing system-level utilities: Control Panel > System > System Protection > Create.
- Periodically run sfc /scannow and keep backups of important data.
- Use a simple test app like Notepad to verify whether a shortcut is system-wide or app-specific.
FAQ
What if only one shortcut (e.g., Windows + L) stopped working?
Test other Windows key combinations; check NoWinKeys registry value and Group Policy for Windows hotkeys; also test with a different keyboard to rule out hardware-specific mapping.
Can I remap broken shortcuts temporarily?
Yes — use built-in PowerToys Keyboard Manager or third-party tools like AutoHotkey to remap keys; however, these can conflict with other utilities, so use them carefully.
Why do shortcuts work in some apps but not others?
Some applications capture or override shortcuts for their own use (e.g., games, IDEs). Check the app’s preferences to disable conflicting shortcuts or change focus to ensure the app receives the keys.
Will reinstalling Windows fix shortcut problems?
Reinstalling Windows usually fixes deep system-level corruption but is a last resort; try sfc, DISM, driver reinstall, and a clean boot before reinstalling Windows.
How do I test whether a key is physically failing?
Open Notepad and press suspect keys to see if characters appear; use On-Screen Keyboard (osk) to compare. Alternatively test on a different device to confirm hardware failure.
Conclusion
Keyboard shortcut failures usually come down to settings, software conflicts, drivers, or hardware — check accessibility options, layout, and running utilities first, then move to drivers and system-file repairs. If Keyboard shortcuts don’t work in Windows 10, following these 13 checks and fixes will resolve the majority of issues.
