Shift Key Not Working: Fix With 5 Simple Hacks

A keyboard can give out several types of issue or error and the Shift key not working issue is one of them. Usually, this issue is caused by simple keyboard setting misconfigurations and installation mistakes. 

However, in some conditions, the Shift key issue is triggered by hardware problems and error. Now, if you want to know, how to resolve the issue on your keyboard or laptop, then follow this article till the end.

Prominent Reasons for the Shift Key Not Working Issue

There are various types of problematic factors in a system and keyboard that may cause the Shift key not working issue. And we have listed some of those factors below. 

Have a look at them.

  1. Dust or other foreign matters present under the Shift key.
  2. Misconfiguration in the Keyboard Language Settings
  3. Filter, Toggle or Sticky keys are activated
  4. Corrupted Keyboard driver
  5. Faulty Keyboard

Now, if you have a brief idea about the possible causes of this issue, so let’s have a look at solutions. 

Effective Ways to Fix the Shift Key Not Working Issue

In order to solve the Shift key not working issue, you need to follow some simple solution and those are given below. Have a look and try to use them as instructed. 

Clean Out the Dust or Other Foreign Matter

If the Shift Key is showing this workability issue and the rest of the keys are functional, then it might be possible that something is stopping the keystroke registration process of the Shift Key.

 

To check, remove the Shift Key from its place and look for the dust, dirt or other foreign matter. However, if the Shift Key is non-removal or you are using a laptop, then turning the keyboard or laptop upside down will allow any debris to fall out.

 

While performing this dust removal process, you can also use an air blower or compressed air dispenser in order to achieve maximum cleaning result. 

 

After completing the dust removal process, if you are still facing this issue on your keyboard, then follow the other solutions given in this article.

Check the Keyboard Language Settings

Sometimes, the Shift Key not working Windows 10 based system occurs because of the misconfiguration in the Keyboard Language Settings. And in order to fix that setting misconfiguration, you need to reconfigure the Keyboard Language Settings.

 

Now, to implement the steps on the system follow the given steps.

  1. Click on the Start icon and then select the Settings option. 
  2. In the Settings window, you will get the Time And Language option. Click on that option and open up its window.
  3. There you need to click on the Region And Language option.
  4. Inside the Region And Language window, you will get a list of keyboard languages according to the regions or country. From that list, select the English (United Kingdom) option
  5. Now, if that option is not present in that list, then you use the “Add a Language” button in order to include your desired keyboard layout.
  6. After doing that, click on the Windows Display Language option and select the Options.
  7. In the Options window, go to the Keyboards section and check what keyboard Input mode is selected.
  8. If it is not set to English based on your location. then modify it and save the changes.

Now, you just need to close all the windows and verify whether the Shift key is working or not. 

Verify Whether the Sticky Keys are Turned On

In a few cases, users have noted that the Shift Key issue occurs because of active Filter, Toggle or Sticky keys. If you are unaware of the function of the keys, then go through this guide.

 

The Filter keys suppress or discard keystrokes if they are sent too fast or simultaneously.

 

Now, the Sticky keys are a special type of key feature. This feature can pause the keystroke registrations of the modifier keys such as the Shift or Ctrl key until they are released or a specific keystroke combination is entered.

 

The Toggle keys work as an indicator in Windows OS based system. It emits a beep or audible indicator when a locked key is pressed by the user. 

 

Now, you must have a thorough idea about all the Special keys feature and their working process, then let’s know how to disable the process. 

  1. Click on the Start icon and then tap on the Settings option in order to enter into its window.
  2. There you need to click on the “Ease of Access” option and then select the Keyboard option.
  3. Now, in the Keyboard window, look for the Filter Keys section. Under that section, you will get the all the Special Keys Feature option.
  4. Side the toggles besides those options in order to turn them off and then close the window. 

After this, you just need to press on the Shift key in order to verify its workability. 

Run the Hardware And Devices Troubleshooter Tool

Another way by which you can resolve the Shift key issue on Window 10 by running the Hardware And Devices Troubleshooter Tool on the system.

 

Most of the time, this tool is used in order to verify the workability of any new installed device or hardware component. 

 

Now, to active this tool on the system, follow the given steps. 

  1. Tap on the Start icon and open up the Windows Search Box. In that box, you need to type “Control Panel” and then click on the first option which appears on the result section. This action will launch the Control Panel window.
  2. There you need to click on the Troubleshooting option and open up its window.
  3. Now, in the Troubleshooting window, look for the Hardware And Devices option and click on it. 
  4. Then, click on the Next option in order to run the Troubleshooter tool.

After doing this you just need to follow the on-screen instruction in order to complete the troubleshooting process. 

 

Once the troubleshooting process gets completed, reboot the system and check if the Shift key not working is or not. 

Reinstall the Keyboard Driver

If you are facing the Shift key issue, then it might be possible that the issue is appearing on your system because of corrupted Keyboard Driver. And to fix that problem you need to reinstall the keyboard driver properly. 

 

Now, to perform that action on your system follow the given instructions. 

  1. Launch the WinX menu by pressing the Windows key + X key. Then, click on the Device Manager option to open up its window. 
  2. In the Device Manager window, you will get a list of those drivers which are installed on your system. 
  3. From that list locate the Keyboards option and click on it  A section will come up under that option.
  4. In that expanded section, you will get the keyboard driver. Right-click on that option and open up the Context menu. In that menu, you will get the Uninstall option. Click on it.

After doing this, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Uninstallation process. Once that process gets completed, reboot the system. Then, visit the Keyboard or laptop manufacturer website in order to download a fresh version of the keyboard driver.

 

After downloading those files, install them on the system. While performing the installation process note nothing should interrupt it. Once the installation process gets accomplished, reboot the system again and look for the issue.

Conclusion

However, if none of the given solutions and suggestions works for you, then there is a change that the keyboard you are using is faulty. Now to check it out, connect your keyboard to a different system and check its workability. 

But, if you are using a laptop, then plug-in external keyboard into it and press the Shift key. If the keyboard is showing the same Shift key issue on the second system, then it means the keyboard is damaged and you need to replace it in order to fix this issue. 

For more info on Shift key not working on Mac keep following our upcoming article.

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Nathaniel Villa
Nathaniel Villa
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