The combination of ALT + F4 is useful for shutting down applications and systems. It is one of the most-used keyboard shortcuts. However, many users report that the combination doesn’t work. If you encounter the same problem if Alt + F4 is not working on Windows 11 or Windows 10, then kindly read through this article for the resolution.
Alt + F4 not working on Windows 11/10
The main causes behind this issue are different system configurations, interference by third-party software, corrupt drivers, etc. So, let us troubleshoot the issue sequentially to resolve it.
- Update and Restart the system
- Reboot your system in the Clean Boot state
- Reinstall the keyboard drivers from the manufacturer’s website
- Check if Fn lock is active
- Run the Keyboard troubleshooter
- Edit a Registry entry
- Replace your keyboard
1] Update and Restart the system
Before proceeding with any other solution, it is important check if your computer has been updated and if so, click the Restart button to Update and Restart the computer.
Now check if ALT + F4 is working.
2] Reboot your system in the Clean Boot state
In case the issue is caused by a third-party software, the case could be isolated by rebooting your system in the clean boot state. In this state, all third-party programs remain inactive when the system is booted and thus, you can know whether or not the issue is caused by them.
Read: Change default Shutdown options in the Alt+F4 Dialog box.
3] Reinstall the keyboard drivers from the manufacturer’s website
One of the reasons for the issue could be corrupt keyboard drivers. In this case, uninstall the keyboard drivers and install them again from the keyboard manufacturer’s website.
4] Check if Fn lock is active
The Fn key works differently in different brands of computers. In some computers, it needs to be held while using Function keys (F1 to F12). In other computers, it needs to be pressed once and then locks the Function keys. To unlock, press the Fn key once and check if the ALT + F4 starts working or not.
Read: Create a shortcut to open Shut Down Dialog Box (Alt+F4).
5] Run the Keyboard troubleshooter
The Keyboard troubleshooter is an excellent tool to check from problems related to the keyboard and then fix them if possible. The procedure to run the Keyboard troubleshooter is as follows:
Click on the Start button and go to Settings >> Updates & Security >> Troubleshoot >> Additional Troubleshooters.
Select the Keyboard troubleshooter and click on Run the troubleshooter.
6] Edit a Registry entry
If a certain Registry key is present and active, then the Alt + F4 combination might not work. In this case, you can disable the entry as follows.
Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command regedit. Hit Enter to open the Registry Editor window.
Then, navigate to the following key.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
In the right-pane, right-click in the open space and create a DWORD (32 bit) entry named NoWinKeys.
Double-click on this entry and change the value of the Value data to 0.
Click on OK and restart the system.
If everything else fails, the keyboard may be faulty. In this case, you can consider showing it to a hardware technician or replacing it.
What is the alternative key for Alt+F4?
If Alt + F4 doesn’t work, you can use Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and end the task. Alternatively, pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete allows access to Task Manager. Another option is to right-click the program in the taskbar or Task Manager and select “End task” to close it.
Why are my Alt function keys not working in Windows?
ALT function keys may not work on Windows primarily because the number lock setting is disabled, affecting numeric keypad inputs. Ensure Num Lock is on to resolve this. Additionally, incorrect Windows language settings can cause issues, so check your language preferences to ensure compatibility with ALT codes.
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