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WIndows key button not operating properly - operates as media PLAY/STOP button

Greg 20 Reputation points
2025-11-29T21:58:14.71+00:00

Hi there. Few weeks ago I have noticed that my Windows Key Button doesn't work as normal - when I have a music player/video player - Amazon, Paramount etc it will work only then as a PLAY/STOP button.

Any advise on that?

Thank you

Greg

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures
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  1. EmilyS726 184.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-29T22:31:57.7566667+00:00

    Can you type osk in the search on the taskbar to launch the onscreen keyboard, then tap on the Windows key twice, does it launch the start menu?

    If not, tap on the Fn key or Alt key twice, see if any of those launches the start menu?

    What type of keyboard do you use? Speciality/gaming keyboard? Brand and model?

    If it is a laptop build in keyboard, what's your laptop brand?

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-11-29T21:59:24.06+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It seems that your Windows key is being interpreted as a media control key, which can happen if certain applications or settings are overriding its default behavior. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

    1. Check for Media Control Applications: Ensure that there are no media control applications running in the background that might be intercepting the Windows key functionality.
    2. Keyboard Shortcuts: Some applications allow you to customize keyboard shortcuts. Check the settings of your media players (like Amazon or Paramount) to see if the Windows key has been assigned to play/pause functions.
    3. Keyboard Settings: Go to your keyboard settings in Windows and ensure that no accessibility features (like Sticky Keys) are enabled that might affect key behavior.
    4. Update Drivers: Make sure your keyboard drivers are up to date. You can do this through Device Manager.
    5. Check for Malware: Occasionally, malware can interfere with keyboard functionality. Run a full system scan to rule out this possibility.
    6. Test with Another Keyboard: If possible, try using a different keyboard to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is hardware-related.

    If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider resetting your keyboard settings or checking for any Windows updates that might address this behavior.

    References:

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