Is the Control (Ctrl) key not working on your Windows 10 computer? If yes, try the simple troubleshooting instructions provided below to fix it.
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS
Restarting your Windows 10 computer
In most cases, the restart process will help you resolve some common issues. So, as the first step of troubleshooting the “Control key not working on Windows 10” issue, restart your computer.
- Open the Start menu.
- Click on the Power button.
- Select the Restart option from the list.
- Now, your Windows 10 computer will restart.
- After your computer restarts, check if the Control key is working. If not, try the next method given below.
Removing clogged dust or dirt particles
- Check if the Ctrl key is clogged with dust or dirt particles.
- If yes, clean it using a specialized keyboard cleaner.
- After cleaning the key, check if it is working.
- If not, perform the next method.
Using the Alt, Ctrl, and Fn keys
- Locate the Alt, Ctrl, and Fn keys on your Windows 10 computer keyboard.
- Now, press all the keys at the same time.
- After releasing the buttons, check if the Ctrl button is working.
- If not, try the advanced method given below.
ADVANCED METHODS
Method 1: Using the on-screen keyboard
Check if both (left and right) Ctrl keys are working on your computer’s on-screen keyboard. To check it, open the on-screen keyboard from the Run dialog box or use the search field.
- First, in the Run dialog box, type the command "osk" and tap Enter. (Alternatively, type the on-screen keyboard text in the Search field available in the taskbar of your computer and choose the relevant one from the suggestions.)
- Now, click the Ctrl key on the on-screen keyboard. If it works, the problem is with the physical key. Change it if necessary.
- Otherwise, try the next method given below.
Method 2: Running the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
Use the Windows 10 computer’s built-in troubleshooter to fix the issue.
- Open the Control Panel screen.
- Select the Large icons option from the View by drop-down menu.
- Click Troubleshooting > View All > Hardware and devices troubleshooter. Wait for the troubleshooting process to complete.
- Once it is done, restart your computer.
- After your computer restarts, check if the Control key is working. If not, perform the next method.
Method 3: Updating the keyboard drivers
Check if the keyboard drivers are up-to-date. If not, update them. Carry out the following instructions to check and update the keyboard drivers on your Windows 10 computer.
- Open the Device Manager window.
- Locate and expand the Keyboards section.
- Select your keyboard driver and right-click on it.
- Click the Update driver option.
- Check and update the driver by following the instructions displayed on the screen.
If the update process also doesn’t resolve the Control key not working issue on your Windows 10 computer, contact us.