How to fix Windows key

Question

When i press windows key it opens start panel .. but from past two days its not opening and when i click window button + period i can open emoji panel too but now its not working.. even when i right click and click on emoji panel it just prints period . same with the clipboard. what should i do now?

Answer 1

Hi Majid,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand that the Windows key shortcuts (Start menu, emoji panel, and clipboard) stopped working and are now typing characters instead.

Please make sure you already tried the Q&A Assist steps. In addition, please try the following.

Before proceeding, I need to narrow this down a bit:

1, Which Windows version are you using (Windows 10 or Windows 11)?

2, Does the Windows key work correctly when you sign in with a different user account on the same PC?

In the meantime, you can try these steps:

1, Restart Windows Explorer

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
• Find Windows Explorer
• Select it and choose Restart

2, Turn off Filter Keys and Sticky Keys

• Open Settings
• Go to Accessibility
• Select Keyboard
• Turn off Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and Toggle Keys

3, Check language and input method

• Open Settings
• Go to Time & Language
• Select Language
• Make sure the correct keyboard layout is set and remove unused layouts

4, Run System File Checker

• Open Start
• Search for Command Prompt
• Right‑click it and choose Run as administrator
• Run this command: sfc /scannow

5, Check for keyboard remapping software

• Uninstall or disable any third‑party tools that modify keyboard behavior (for example macro or key‑remap utilities)
• Restart the PC after disabling them

6, Create a temporary new local user account

• Open Settings
• Go to Accounts
• Select Other users
• Create a new local account and sign in to test the Windows key behavior

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Answer 2

Hello,

To diagnose a keyboard problem, it's essential to test with the onscreen keyboard or a different keyboard via USB or Bluetooth. If the alternative keyboard works, it's certain that the issue is hardware-related.

If you use the onscreen keyboard, try tapping it twice, and see if it launches the start menu.

Answer 3

If your Windows key and emoji panel are not functioning properly, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Restart Your Computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.
2. Check for Windows Updates: Ensure that your system is up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
3. Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Keyboard and run the troubleshooter to detect and fix issues.
4. Check Keyboard Settings: Make sure that the keyboard layout is set correctly. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language and check your keyboard settings.
5. Reinstall Keyboard Drivers: Open Device Manager, find your keyboard in the list, right-click it, and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer, and Windows should reinstall the driver automatically.
6. Use the On-Screen Keyboard: If the physical keyboard is not responding, you can use the on-screen keyboard as a temporary workaround. You can enable it from Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
7. Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts: Sometimes, third-party applications can interfere with keyboard functionality. Try booting your computer in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. If it works in Safe Mode, a third-party app might be the cause.
8. Reset Windows: If none of the above solutions work, consider resetting Windows. This can be done from Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

If the problem continues after trying these steps, it may be a hardware issue with the keyboard itself.

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References:

• The Changelog
• The Changelog