Media Keys Not Working on Windows 11? Here’s the Fix!

Modern-day keyboards have advanced functionality that allows you to do much more in just one tap. Just how media keys make our lives simpler, helping us to play, pause, increase or decrease volume, jump to the previous or next track, and perform a handful of operations with just a single press. They allow you to quickly take command over any music or video that is been playing on your device.

Image source: Addictive Tips

Media keys not working on Windows 11? Yes, this can be frustrating. But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. If the media keys have stopped working on your device, here are workarounds to resolve this issue.

In this post, we have listed a bunch of solutions you can use to troubleshoot the “Media keys not working on Windows 11” issue.

Let’s begin!

Also read: Windows On Screen Keyboard Not Working? Here’s the Fix!

Why are the Media Keys not Working on Windows 11/10?

Here are a few reasons why the media keys may fail to operate on Windows 11.

• Outdated or corrupt keyboard drivers.
• Interference of a third-party app.
• Misconfigured keyboard settings.
• Hardware malfunction.

Also read: Keyboard Backlight Won’t Turn ON on Windows and Mac? Here’s the Fix!

How to Fix the “Media Keys not Working on Windows 11” Issue?

Solution 1: Check the Physical Connections 

Image source: Lifewire

A hardware malfunction is one of the most common reasons why the media keys suddenly stop working on your Windows PC. So, before you begin complex troubleshooting, here’s something you can try.

• Try connecting your keyboard to a different USB port.
• Check if the other keys are working properly.
• Clean the keyboard with a damp cloth.
• Make sure that the keyboard is properly connected to your device.
• If you use an external keyboard, connect the faulty keyboard to a different computer to check if it’s functioning well on the other device.

Solution 2: Update the Keyboard Drivers

Outdated or corrupt keyboard drivers can also trigger the “media keys not working on Windows 11” issue. Here’s how you can quickly update drivers on Windows 11:

Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box. Type “Devmgmt.msc” and hit Enter.

In the Device Manager window, tap on “Keyboards.” Right-click on the keyboard device and select the “Update Driver” option from the menu.

Follow the on-screen instructions to update the keyboard drivers. Reboot your device and check if the issue was resolved.

Also read: How To Fix Wireless Keyboard Lag on Windows PC?

Solution 3: Reset the Keyboard Layout

Misconfigured keyboard settings can also mess with the media key’s functioning. Resetting your keyboard’s layout might help. Here’s what you need to do:

Tap the Windows icon on the Taskbar and select “Settings.” Switch to the “Time and language” section from the left menu pane.

Select “Language and Region.”

Under the “Preferred Languages” section, ensure the right language is selected and placed at the top of the list. If the preferred language is not selected, drag and drop it on the top to reset the keyboard layout.

Solution 4: Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter 

Launch the Settings app, switch to the “System” category from the left menu pane, and select “Troubleshoot.”

Tap on “Other Troubleshooters.”

Scroll down and hit the “Run” button placed next to the “Keyboard” troubleshooter.

Run the keyboard troubleshooter following the on-screen instructions so that Windows can automatically scan and diagnose the underlying issues.

Also read: How To Fix “MacBook Keyboard Is Not Working” Issue.

Solution 5: Disable Windows Media Network Sharing Service

Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box. Type “Services.msc” and hit Enter.

In the Services window, scroll down and look for the “Windows Media Network Sharing” service in the list. Double-tap on it to open Properties.

Select the “Startup Type” value as “Disabled.”

Reboot your device and check if the media keys are functioning again!

Solution 6: Restart the Human Interface Device Service

Press the Windows + R key combination, type “Services.msc” and hit Enter.

Look for the “Human Interface Device” service in the Services window. Right-click on it and select “Restart.”

Conclusion

Here are a few simple solutions to fix the “Media keys not working on Windows 11” issue. You can use any of the above-listed troubleshooting methods to get the media keys up and running within no time.

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