Likely fix
Fix: Keyboard shortcuts not working
Keyboard shortcuts usually stop working because the wrong app is focused, Fn Lock changed behavior, modifier keys are stuck, keyboard layout changed, or another app is capturing shortcuts.
Quick answer
Click inside the app you want to control, check Fn Lock and keyboard layout, then test the shortcut in another app.
Important warning
Some laptop keyboards require Fn for F1–F12 shortcuts, while others use Fn Lock to reverse that behavior.
Try this
- 1 Click inside the app where the shortcut should work.
- 2 Try the shortcut in another app.
- 3 Check whether Ctrl, Alt, Command, Option, Shift, or Fn keys are stuck.
- 4 Check Fn Lock if function-key shortcuts changed.
- 5 Check keyboard layout and language settings.
- 6 Restart the app.
- 7 Restart the computer.
- 8 Disable apps that may capture global shortcuts if the issue continues.
Common causes
Wrong app or window is focused.
Fn Lock changed function key behavior.
Modifier key is stuck.
Keyboard layout changed.
Another app is capturing shortcuts.
App-specific shortcut setting changed.
What to check next
- Check whether the shortcut works in another app.
- Check whether modifier keys feel stuck.
- Check Fn Lock.
- Check app shortcut settings.
- Check whether a clipboard, screenshot, gaming, or keyboard utility is intercepting shortcuts.