6 Best Ways to Fix Spacebar Not Working in Windows 11

Ophicial Wisdom June 23, 2023

6 Best Ways to Fix Spacebar Not Working in Windows 11

The spacebar is an essential key that helps you with various crucial tasks whether you are typing, playing games, or using your computer. As a result, if the spacebar on your Windows 11 computer stops operating, it can be inconvenient. You’ve come to the right place if you’re having a similar problem.

In most situations, inappropriate settings or outdated keyboard drivers are to blame, rather than a hardware failure. Before you hurry to a repair shop or consider a keyboard replacement, try the following solutions to fix your Windows 11 computer’s unresponsive spacebar.

Table of Contents

1. Restart the Computer

The first and simplest step to troubleshoot any keyboard-related issue is to restart your computer. This action helps refresh the system and may resolve any temporary glitches that are causing the spacebar to malfunction.

There are several ways to restart a computer. Here are the most common methods:

Using the Start menu:

Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
Click the Power icon in the bottom-right corner.
Select Restart.

Using the keyboard:

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
Click the Power icon in the bottom right corner.
Select Restart.
Using the Power User Menu:
Press Windows+X.
Select Shut down or sign out.
Select Restart.

Using the Ctrl+Alt+F4 shortcut:

Press Alt+F4.
Use the arrow keys to select Restart.
Press Enter.

Note: If your computer is frozen or not responding, you can force it to restart by holding down the Power button for about 5 seconds.

2. Check for Physical Damage

Physical damage to the keyboard can also cause the spacebar to stop working. It’s important to examine the keyboard for any visible signs of damage, such as loose or stuck keys. Here’s what you can do to check for physical damage:

Disconnect the keyboard from your computer.
Examine the spacebar and surrounding keys for any obstructions or debris.
Gently press the spacebar to see if it moves freely without any resistance.
If you notice any damage or obstructions, clean the keyboard using compressed air or a soft brush.

3. Update Keyboard Drivers

Outdated or incompatible keyboard drivers can also lead to keyboard malfunctions, including the spacebar not working. Updating the keyboard drivers can often resolve such issues. Here’s how you can update your keyboard drivers in Windows 11:

Press Windows+X to open the Power User Menu.
Select Device Manager.
Expand the Keyboards category.
Right-click on your keyboard and select Update driver.
In the Update Driver Software window, select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Windows will search for the latest driver for your keyboard and install it.
Once the driver is installed, restart your computer.

3. Adjust Keyboard Settings

Sometimes, the issue with the spacebar not working can be related to the keyboard settings on your Windows 11 computer. Adjusting these settings may help resolve the problem. Here’s what you can do:

Click on the “Start” button located at the bottom left corner of the screen.
Select the “Settings” icon.
In the Settings menu, click on “Devices.”
On the left side, click on “Typing.”
Scroll down to the “More keyboard settings” section.
Under “Input language hot keys,” click on “Change input methods.”
In the new window that opens, click on “Advanced keyboard settings.”
Under the “Input language hot keys” section, click on “Change language bar hot keys.”
In the Text Services and Input Languages window, go to the “Advanced Key Settings” tab.
Select the “Between input languages” option and click on “Change Key Sequence.”
Make sure the “Not Assigned” option is selected for both “Switch input language” and “Switch keyboard layout.”
Click “OK” to save the changes.

4. Perform a System File Check

Corrupted system files can sometimes cause issues with the keyboard, including the spacebar not working. Performing a system file check can help identify and repair any damaged files. Follow these steps to run a system file check:

Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Quick Access menu.
Select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list. If it’s not available, choose “Command Prompt (Admin).”
In the PowerShell or Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Wait for the scan to complete. It may take some time.

This command will scan all of the protected system files on your computer and replace any that are corrupt with a copy from the Windows installation media.

The scan may take several minutes to complete. Once the scan is finished, you will see a message indicating whether any corrupt files were found and repaired.

If the scan finds any corrupt files that it cannot repair, you may need to use the DISM tool to repair your Windows image. To do this, type the following command in Command Prompt and press Enter:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

This command will scan your Windows image for corruption and repair any problems that it finds.

Once the DISM tool has finished repairing your Windows image, you can run the System File Check again to see if any corrupt files were found and repaired.

5. Turn Off Sticky Keys And Filter Keys

How to Turn of Sticky Keys

Using the Shift key shortcut: Press the Shift key five times in a row. You will hear a series of beeps, and the Sticky Keys icon will disappear from the taskbar.

Using the Settings app:

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + i.
Click on Accessibility > Keyboard.
Under Sticky Keys, toggle off the Turn on Sticky Keys switch.

Using the Control Panel:

Open the Control Panel by searching for it in Windows Search.
Click on Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center.
Under Make the keyboard easier to use, click on Set up Sticky Keys.
Uncheck the Turn on Sticky Keys checkbox.

How to Turn Off Filter Keys

Using the Settings app:

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + i.
Click on Accessibility > Keyboard.
Under Filter Keys, toggle off the Turn on Filter Keys switch.

Using the Control Panel:

Open the Control Panel by searching for it in Windows Search.
Click on Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center.
Under Make the keyboard easier to use, click on Set up Filter Keys.
Uncheck the Turn on Filter Keys checkbox.

6. Run Windows Troubleshooters

Windows 11 has a number of troubleshooters for fixing common computer issues. In this situation, you can use the keyboard troubleshooter to resolve any system issues that may have caused the spacebar on your Windows 11 PC to stop working.

Follow the steps below to run windows troubleshooters:

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + i.
Click on System > Troubleshoot.
Go to Other troubleshooters
You’ll see the option “keyboard”, beside it you’ll see the “Run” button, click on it.

If the keyboard troubleshooter does not find any problems, use the Hardware & Devices troubleshooter instead. This program will attempt to identify and resolve issues with all of your external devices, including the keyboard.

Here are the steps on how to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter on Windows 11:

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. If you don’t know how to do this, you can read our step-by-step guide here.
Type the following command and press Enter.

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

Click Next and Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

Conclusion

Encountering a non-functional spacebar can be a frustrating experience while using Windows 11. However, with the six methods mentioned in this article, you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue effectively. Remember to restart your computer, check for physical damage, update keyboard drivers, use the On-Screen Keyboard, adjust keyboard settings, and perform a system file check. By following these steps, you can regain the functionality of your spacebar and continue using your computer without any hindrance.

FAQs

Why is my spacebar not working in Windows 11?

There can be several reasons for the spacebar not working in Windows 11, including software glitches, physical damage, outdated drivers, or incorrect keyboard settings.

Can I fix the spacebar issue without restarting my computer?

Restarting the computer is often the simplest and most effective solution. It helps refresh the system and resolves temporary glitches.

What if updating the keyboard drivers doesn’t solve the problem?

If updating the keyboard drivers doesn’t resolve the spacebar issue, you can try uninstalling the drivers and then reinstalling them.

Is there a way to test if my spacebar is physically damaged?

Yes, you can test if your spacebar is physically damaged by gently pressing it to see if it moves freely without any resistance. If the spacebar feels sticky, unresponsive, or doesn’t move smoothly, there may be physical damage or debris causing the issue.

What should I do if the On-Screen Keyboard doesn’t work?

If the On-Screen Keyboard doesn’t work as well, you can try connecting an external keyboard to your computer and check if the spacebar works with the external keyboard. If it does, it indicates that the issue is specific to your internal keyboard and may require further troubleshooting or replacement.

Are these methods specific to Windows 11 or applicable to other Windows versions as well?

While this article focuses on troubleshooting the spacebar issue in Windows 11, many of the methods mentioned can be applied to other Windows versions like Windows 10 or Windows 8.

Do I need technical expertise to perform these troubleshooting steps?

No, these troubleshooting steps are designed to be user-friendly and can be performed by anyone.

Ophicial Wisdom June 23, 2023