Fix: Alt + F4 Keys Stopped Working Problem in Windows 11/10. Automated Solution Included

Even before I became fully conversant with using a personal computer, I had already learned the Alt + F4 command.

When I was much younger, I had to remind myself regularly, “Use Alt + F4 to close a window or to shut down a computer system.” So, what do you do if the Alt + F4 keys stopped working?

When you press the Alt + F4 shortcut on your keyboard and it does nothing, try any of the easy fixes below. If it does not solve the problem, keep trying other solutions until you have found the one that works.

How to Fix the Alt + F4 Command Not Working

Fix 1: Restart your computer

Sometimes, you can resolve the Alt + F4 shortcut problem on Windows 10 and 11 by restarting your computer. Anyway, restarting your computer should be your first action when you encounter any confusing issue on Windows 10/11.

There are a few ways to restart your Windows PC if the Alt + F4 shortcut is not functioning. One way is to click the Start button, then click the Power symbol, and then choose Restart.

Another way is to press and hold the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager, then clicking the File menu and Restart. You can also use the Windows Security toolbar to restart your PC:

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously on your keyboard. This will bring up the Windows Security screen.
• In the bottom-right corner of the screen, you’ll see the Power icon; click it.
• From the options that appear, select Restart.

However, if restarting your computer does not solve the problem, try the next solution.

Also read: Computer Keeps Restarting: How to Fix?

Fix 2: Use the Fn key

The Function key (Fn, or FN on some keyboards) is used as a modifier, and it is present on most—if not all—laptops.

The main reason why it exists is because of the compact nature of laptops—it helps to perform certain actions using your keyboard.

The Function key is often located between the Ctrl key and the Windows key. It may be somewhere else, though, so make sure to find it.

If the Alt + F4 combo fails to do what it is supposed to do, then press the Fn key and try the Alt + F4 shortcut again. Still not working? Try pressing Fn + F4.

If you still cannot notice any change, try holding down Fn for a few seconds.

If that doesn’t work too, try Alt + Fn + F4. This should work. If it doesn’t, something else may be the problem. Try our third fix and see if that has solved the Alt + F4 problem.

Also read: [FIXED] Function Keys Not Working on Windows 10/11

Fix 3: Update and reboot your computer

Windows 10/11 needs regular updates, and something that needs to be updated at this moment might be what is affecting your Alt + F4 command. Let me show you how to update and reboot your computer in the following simple steps:

• Click the Start menu button in the bottom-left corner of your screen and type “Settings.”
• Click Settings, and then click Update & Security.
• You’ll see either Updates available or You’re up to date. If what appears on the screen is You’re up to date, then you don’t need to update your PC. However, if you see Updates available, then you have to update your PC.

• Update your PC and reboot it; then try pressing Alt + F4 again to see if it works.

On Windows 11, do the following to check for updates:

• In the Settings window, click on Windows Update (found at the bottom of the left-hand menu).
• You will either see Updates available or You’re up to date.
  • If you see Updates available, click on Download & install.
  • If you see You’re up to date, no update is necessary.
• After the update finishes downloading, you may be prompted to restart your PC to complete the installation.
• If not prompted, click on Restart now to reboot your computer and apply the update.

Once your PC restarts, try the Alt + F4 command again to see if the issue is resolved.

Did it work? Don’t worry if it didn’t—just move on to the fourth fix.

Also read: Windows Update Troubleshooter: Easily Fixing Windows Update Issues

Fix 4: Check the keyboard driver

If updating and rebooting your computer hasn’t made any difference, check your keyboard driver and then uninstall and update it. Follow the steps below to uninstall and update your keyboard driver on Windows 10/11:

• Press the Windows logo + X keys together and select Device Manager.

• Double-click Keyboards after the Device Manager window appears.

• Right-click the keyboard whose driver you want to uninstall and select Uninstall device.

• You will be prompted to either cancel your action or to continue with uninstallation.

Restart your computer after uninstalling the driver. Windows will automatically reinstall it.

Alternatively, you can try updating the driver.

Use the procedure described above to access your keyboard driver. This time, click Update driver instead of Uninstall device, and then select Search automatically for drivers.

Windows will search for the latest keyboard driver update and install it. After that, you should restart your computer to save the changes.

Fix 5: Disable Sticky Keys

Holding the Alt, Fn, and F4 keys at the same time may be a little challenging. If you don’t like the idea of having to press two or more keys at the same time, Sticky Keys may be a better alternative for you.

If the Sticky Keys feature is turned on, it can affect your computer’s response to Alt + F4 when you press it.

So, try turning the feature off by clicking the Start menu and typing “ease of access” into the search box.

Click Ease of Access keyboard settings and then navigate your way to Sticky Keys to turn the feature off.

If that hasn’t worked too, please try the fix below.

Fix 6: Troubleshoot your keyboard

Both Windows 10 and 11 come with built-in troubleshooters that can help diagnose your keyboard.

On Windows 10, press the Windows and I keys and type “troubleshoot keyboard” into the search box that appears in the window.

Click Find and fix keyboard problems, and Windows will help you to troubleshoot your keyboard. This should help to solve the problem. If it doesn’t, try our seventh solution.

On Windows 11:

• Press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.
• In the Settings window, click System in the left-hand menu.
• Scroll down and click Troubleshoot.

• Select Other troubleshooters.

• Scroll down to find Keyboard under the Other section, and click Run next to it.

• Windows will now run the keyboard troubleshooter and attempt to detect and fix any issues.

Fix 7: Tweak your Windows registry settings

Making certain changes to the Windows registry may also help to solve the problem. To get the job done, follow the instructions below:

• Press the Windows key + R combination, type regedit into the Run dialog box, and press Enter.
• Select HKEY_CURRENT_USER and then navigate your way to Explorer by successively clicking HKEY_CURRENT_USER/SOFTWARE/Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion >StartupNotify

• Right-click Explorer, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value entry and name it NoWinKeys.
• Double-click the entry you just created, select Decimal under Base, and then set the value as 0.
• Save your input and reboot your PC. But if you are editing an existing entry, make sure you create a backup first.

If you still don’t know what to do if Alt + F4 isn’t working in Windows 10/11, you may need to replace your keyboard.

Fix 8: Check for hardware problems

If you still don’t know how to fix the Windows 10/11 Alt + F4 problem, there are a few things you can do to check for hardware problems.

First, check to see if all of the cables are plugged in correctly. Next, restart your computer and see if the problem persists. If the problem does not go away, it is likely that you have a hardware issue.

To diagnose the problem, you can try running a hardware diagnostic tool—the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. This will allow you to check for problems with your CPU, memory, and other hardware components. Here’s how:

• Press the Windows key + R and type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic.
• Click Next, wait for the troubleshooter to finish the check, and follow the instructions on the screen.

If the Alt + F4 key still isn’t working, you may need to contact a professional or replace your keyboard.

Further reading: Hardware Problems Detected by Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

Fix 9: Replace your keyboard

If none of the methods above have worked, you should consider getting a new keyboard. It could be that the keyboard you are currently using is faulty.

This is a relatively simple and straightforward process that can be completed in a few minutes.

• First, you’ll need to find a new keyboard. You can purchase a replacement keyboard from your local electronics store or online. Be sure to select a keyboard that is compatible with your computer.
• Next, you’ll need to remove the old one and connect the new keyboard to your computer. To do this, you’ll need to find the appropriate cable and plug it into the back of the keyboard.

Once the keyboard is plugged in, check if the Alt + F4 shortcut is working.

Also read: What to Do if the Mouse and Keyboard Are Not Working on a Laptop?

The Alt + F4 Keys Stopped Working Problem in Windows 11/10: Fixed

If you find that your Alt + F4 shortcut isn’t working in Windows 10/11, there are a few things you can try. Restart your PC, try using the Fn key instead, update and reboot your computer, check your keyboard drivers, disable sticky keys, troubleshoot your keyboard, look into tweaking your Windows registry settings, disable the legacy Fx function, check for hardware issues, and, finally, replace your keyboard, if necessary.

FAQ