Shift key plays a critical role in performing shortcuts and carrying out many operations easily and quickly.
Unfortunately, if any of them stops working, it ruins your entire work experience.
Most importantly, it hampers your typing experience as most writing shortcuts require the Shift key to work.
Due to this, you must be frustrated and looking for a solution to your Shift key.
One of your Shift keys, either left or right, might not be working properly.
Lets move ahead and check them out.
For instance, there could be an issue with your hardware or software.
In addition, third-party keyboard software could also be the culprit for this problem.
you might now try these fixes to fix the Shift Key on both Windows 11/10.
Suppose you travel to different places with your laptop or use it in a dusty environment.
Then, there are chances that some dust or microparticle made your Shift key faulty.
Sometimes, dust particles settle underneath the keys, preventing them from pressing properly.
Cleaning your keyboard keys is simple and can be done in a few minutes.
First, you oughta remove the keycaps from the keyboard.
you might do this using a keycap puller or by using your fingers.
you better be extremely gentle and careful while cleaning.
Once you remove all the keys, you must clean the area underneath them with a damp cloth.
You should also clean other dirty areas of your keyboard, such as around the edges and on top.
2. tune up your Keyboard Drivers
Step 1.Press theWin + Rkeys to open Run.
Step 2.Typedevmgmt.mscand choose theOKbutton.
Step 3.Search forKeyboardsin the drivers list.
Step 4.Double-click onKeyboards, and you will see three varied keyboard drivers.
These are:
Step 5.Right-choose the first keyboard driver, then choose theUpdate driveroption.
Step 7.Windows will now start searching for the updated drivers from the database.
you better wait until it shows the confirmation message related to the driver update.
It is most helpful and designed for physically challenged users to prevent repetitive touch.
This feature helps them perform keyboard shortcuts efficiently.
Some Windows users have reported that the Sticky keys feature was the culprit in their case.
So, another way to fix the Shift keys on Windows is to disable Sticky keys.
you’ve got the option to disable Sticky keys with the mentioned steps.
Step 1.Press theWin + Ikeys to openSettings.
Step 2.choose theAccessibilityto head to the Accessibility tweaks.
Step 3.Scroll down, search forKeyboardsettings, and hit it.
Step 4.Now, click onSticky keysandturn off all the optionsyou see on your screen.
Step 1.OpenSettingswith theWin + Ishortcut.
Step 2.SearchEase of accessin the search bar, and press theEnterkey.
Step 3.Then, head to theKeyboardsection of the Ease of Access tweaks.
Step 4.Now, tap on the toggle to disable Sticky keys.
Also, uncheck the box below the toggle to disable Sticky keys permanently.
Use Windows In Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a debugging mode that starts Windows with minimal drivers and services.
We prefer to use Windows in Safe Mode to troubleshoot our Windows problems.
In Safe Mode, Windows only starts basic and essential drivers to operate efficiently.
We usually run Safe Mode when there is a possibility of having faults in the hardware.
Step 1.First, open tweaks by pressingWin + I.
Step 2.Scroll down, search for theRecoverysection, and tap on it to get the tweaks.
Step 3.select theRestart nowbutton to change startup tweaks.
Your system will now restart and display some advanced startup configs.
Step 4.Head to theTroubleshootsettings, then to theAdvanced options.
Step 5.In theAdvanced options, hit theStartup setting, and then hit theRestartbutton.
Step 6.Now, select theEnable Safe Mode with Networkingoption.
Step 7.Now, your PC will restart in Safe mode.
Step 1.Open your WindowsSettingsand head to theUpdate & Security.
Then, go toRecovery settingsand press theRestart nowbutton.
Step 2.Your system will restart, and you will see Advanced Startup options.
Step 3.Head to theTroubleshootsettings, then to theAdvanced options.
Step 4.In theAdvanced options, press theStartup tweaks, and then hit theRestartbutton.
Step 5.Now, punch theEnable Safe Mode with Networkingoption.
Step 6.Your system will now reboot with Safe Mode enabled.
We sometimes use third-party keyboard software to personalize our keyboard functionality.
Hence, it is possible that the software is creating issues with your Shift keys.
It made some unusual tweaks that are now conflicting with your Shift keys.
If the Shift key starts working right after disabling the software.
The culprit is in front of you.
6. spin up the Built-in Troubleshooter
Window 11/10 comes with the Built-in Keyboard Troubleshooter.
you might use Windowss Keyboard Troubleshooter tool to find issues related to your keyboard.
It scans and reports all errors related to your keyboard, from software to hardware.
you’re able to follow the given steps to execute the Keyboard Troubleshooter tool.
Step 2.TypeTroubleshoot settingsin the search bar, and tap on the first search result.
Step 3.In theTroubleshootsettings, click onOther Troubleshooters.
Step 4.Now, search for theKeyboardin theOthersection, and punch theRunoption.
Run Malware Scan
We download multiple files and software on our PC.
By default, we cant check whether the file is safe.
Yes, we can, but with the help of other tools.
Now, there could be a possibility that some of the files you have downloaded are infected with viruses.
As a result, the virus could also affect your peripheral devices, including your keyboard.
you could run a comprehensive malware scan to check whether the virus is a reason for this issue.
it’s possible for you to use the Windows antivirus feature to run quick virus scans.
To access this feature, head to the Virus & threat protection setting and press the Quick Scan button.
It will take a few minutes to scan.
Suppose it finds some errors; you will see them under Virus & threat protection options.
Else, you might use third-party antivirus software like Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Norton Antivirus Plus, etc.
These tools will help you run detailed scans and remove the infected files from your rig.
They will also ensure that your system is safe and healthy by running automatic scans.
This helps eliminate software conflicts that might occur due to the presence of multiple programs.
Step 1.PressWinand typeSystem Configurationin the search bar.
Step 2.Open theSystem Configurationand head to theServicestab.
Step 3.choose theHide all Microsoft servicesoption and then click onDisable all.
Step 4.Head to theStartuptab and click onOpen Task Manager.
Step 5.Now, right-hit each option, and click onDisable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Turn On Shift Key in Windows?
you’re able to turn on the Shift key in Windows from your Windows controls.
Open controls > Accessibility > Keyboard.
Then, search for the Sticky keys option, and punch it.
At last, choose the toggle to turn on the Sticky keys.
What Is the Alternative Key for Shift?
The alternate key to the Shift key is the Caps Lock Key.
You will find this key above the left Shift key.
How Do I Reset My Keyboard?
To reset your keyboard, unplug your keyboard from your setup, and wait for at least 30 seconds.
Then, press and hold the Esc key and plug it back.
Keep holding the Esc key until you see the LED light flashing.
Final Words
You reached the end of this article.
These are a few ways to fix the Shift key not working issue of Windows 11/10.
There could be different causes for this issue.
However, most users encountered this issue due to third-party keyboard software and faulty USB ports.
But, in your case, the reason could be different.
We recommend trying the mentioned ways one by one and testing the dysfunctional Shift key.
We hope these above-mentioned ways help you fix the Shift key on Windows 11/10.
We would love to know which methods worked for you pretty well and which didnt.
