How to Fix Esc Key Not Working in Windows 11/10

The Esc key plays an essential role in Windows. After all, with its help, the user can quickly open the task manager by pressing Shift + Esc to stop or start the necessary services. Gamers using ESCAPE can enter the game settings menu.

Sometimes the Esc key does not work in Windows 11 or Windows 10. So, we will look at ways to fix when the Escape button does not work.

Ways to Fix Esc Key Not Working in Windows 11/10

1. Check the keyboard

It is necessary to exclude the mechanical failure of the keyboard itself. If you have a PC, try connecting it to another computer and see if the ESC button works. If you have a laptop, enter the BIOS and see if the Esc key will work (this is how a PC can be).

Also, if you have a PC or a laptop, you can take another keyboard and plug it into yours. If the Esc key works, it is more likely that this is a mechanical failure.

2. Keyboard Troubleshooting

Windows 11 : Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Keyboard and Startup .

Windows 10 : Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Advanced Troubleshooters > Keyboard .

3. Reinstall the keyboard driver

An outdated keyboard driver might be the culprit when the Esc key is not working on a Windows 11/10 laptop or computer. So try updating or to reinstall the driver. For this:

Press Win+X and select Device Manager.
Expand the “Keyboards” column.
Right-click and “Update driver”.
If it doesn’t help, then select “Remove device” and restart your PC.
If you have a lot of keyboards in the list, then delete them all and then restart your PC.

Please note that the old drivers of other keyboards can interfere with the main ones. That’s why:

Click on the “View” tab and set “Show hidden devices”.
Expand the “Keyboards” column.
Delete everything that has a translucent appearance.
Restart your PC.

4. Disable Sticky Keys

Disable Sticky Keys if enabled and check if the Escape button works.

5. Hardware troubleshooting

Press Win+X and select Power Shell/ Windows Terminal. Type the command below and press Enter, which will launch the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter. Click “Next” and follow the instructions on the screen.

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

6. Online keyboard test

You can perform an online test for pressing keyboard buttons to see if the Esc key works.

Go to the dedicated KeyboardTester website and press Escape.

7. Remap the Esc key

If you are sure that the Esc key has a mechanical failure, you can reassign this button functionality to any other key using the popular PowerToys utility.