How to Fix the Enter Key Not Working on Windows

The Enter key sees a lot of daily use, but what should you do if it (and only it) gives up the ghost?

Imagine you’re typing away, quickly finishing up a work assignment, or banging out an email to your friend, when suddenly your Enter key stops working. You press it repeatedly and nothing happens.

Is this the end of your productivity streak? Not necessarily. It's possible that you just need to troubleshoot a few settings to get the enter key back up and running. In this article, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot and repair an Enter key that's not working on your Windows PC.

It might sound simplistic, but sometimes all you need to restart your computer. This resolves minor software glitches that could cause the Enter key to stop working. After restarting, try typing again and see if pressing the Enter key works as expected.

If your Enter key stops working suddenly, it could be physical damage. Check if the Enter key is intact. If you notice any broken pieces or debris under the key, gently clean the area using compressed air or a soft brush.

Be sure there is no liquid or moisture on the keyboard. Also, check the keyboard's cable to make sure it's securely connected to your PC.

This problem may also occur if you use a defective keyboard. To determine if the keyboard is faulty, try connecting a different one and see if the Enter key works on it. If it does, then you know that the problem lies with your own keyboard, and you’ll need to replace it.

Filter and Sticky Keys are accessibility features on Windows, but they might interfere with Enter key normal functioning. Disabling them may resolve the issue. Here's how:

After adjusting these settings, test the Enter key to see if it works.

Outdated or incorrect keyboard drivers can also malfunction with the Enter key. To make sure it's not the case, check your keyboard drivers for updates.

Usually, you can find drivers on your keyboard manufacturer's website. These often come as executables you can double-click to install. If this doesn't work, you can try manually installing the driver. Here's how to do it:

Once you complete the process, restart your computer and check if the Enter key is now working properly.

You could also try reinstalling the keyboard driver if the issue remains unresolved. It will resolve any incorrect settings or compatibility problems that might cause the Enter key not to work.

To uninstall the keyboard driver, open Device Manager, right-click the keyboard driver and select Uninstall device. If prompted for confirmation, click Uninstall. Then restart your PC and let Windows install the keyboard driver automatically.

Once you complete the process, see if the Enter key is now working properly. If not, you could try running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter detects and fixes hardware issues. It's worth running it to check if something is wrong with your keyboard.

To run the troubleshooter, follow these steps:

If anything is wrong, it should detect and fix the problem for you. Once the troubleshooting is complete, restart your PC and check if the Enter key works.

This is another useful troubleshooting utility you can use to identify and fix keyboard-related issues. Here's how to use it.

Follow the instructions on the screen and let the troubleshooter detect any issues. It should automatically fix them for you, so once it completes the process, restart your computer and check if it solves the issue.

It's possible that certain malicious programs can also interfere with the Enter key. So, if you've downloaded or installed something suspicious, it could be the culprit.

To make sure this isn't the case, scan your computer for viruses. If you prefer a command user interface, you can use Windows PowerShell tool to detect and remove malicious programs from your computer. Once you do that, restart your computer and check if it solves the issue.

If none of the solutions mentioned above solve your problem, try an on-screen keyboard. This is a virtual keyboard that simulates a real one. You can use this keyboard to input data without relying on a physical keyboard.

To open the on-screen keyboard, do the following:

You can use it to input the Enter key command until the issue is resolved.

You could also try some general fixes, as they might help you if you're having keyboard issues. For example, run the system file checker to detect and fix corrupted system files. You should also update your Windows to the latest version. These updates include vital fixes for hardware-related issues.

If all else fails, you might have to replace your keyboard. But before you do that, make sure to check all the solutions mentioned above — as one of them might help you get the Enter key working again.

Having an Enter key that doesn't work can be frustrating and puzzling. Using the methods in this guide, you should be able to get your Enter key working again right away.

Digvijay is a Computer Science graduate with a passion for writing about technology topics. He has been writing since 2016 and has developed an impressive skill set in the process. Aside from solving everyday problems, he enjoys utilizing existing technologies in creative ways.