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Today, in this article we will discuss about how to Fix “Esc Key Not Working” error on Windows and Mac. If the Esc key stops working on your Windows computer and MacBook, you might not be able to close dialog boxes or use keyboard tools that depend on it. Several things can cause this problem, such as hardware problems, settings that aren’t set up right, broken keyboard drivers, and more.
Since the beginning of computers, the Escape key on a keyboard has been the usual way to get out of a program. This was a very easy way to get out of different computer situations, but in the last 10 years, developers have started to focus on making things easier to use, and having a single key on the keyboard that can close an application by accident is a big problem.
There’s also a chance that the ESC key is broken, which could be caused by dirt, physical damage, or normal wear and tear. But you should try the fixes below first before coming to that decision. In the normal process of using your Windows 11 or Windows PC, you may notice at some point that one or more of the keyboard keys don’t work. If the Esc Key Not Working error on your Windows 11/10 and Mac, this post shows you how to fix it.
Fix “Esc Key Not Working” error on Windows
Scan for Possible Viruses or Malware
Fix “Esc Key Not Working” error: If you think some software might have bugs or other bad things on it, you should get rid of it right away. Or, you could start a quick scan in Windows that would fix all the problems with your keyboard and other hardware:
- Navigate to Settings and choose Privacy and Security.
- Under Protection Areas, click on Virus & Threat Protection. This opens up the Windows Security application.
- Now, under Current Threats, press the Quick scan button.
- Finally, wait for several minutes until the viruses and malware are scanned and eradicated from your system.
Uninstall & Reinstall Your Keyboard
Well, you can actually remove your keyboard from your computer. If none of the above fixes work, remove the keyboard driver for now. If you want to know more information about this visit official Microsoft support site. This is how you can do it:
- Right-click on the Windows icon and choose Device Manager.
- Expand the Keyboard drop-down and right-click on your keyboard.
- Then, choose Uninstall device.
- Next, press the Uninstall button to confirm your action.
- Wait for several seconds until the keyboard driver is completely removed from your system.
- Finally, click on the Restart button. This will restart your system and install the necessary driver for your keyboard to function.
Update Your Keyboard Driver
If your keyboard driver isn’t up-to-date, the hardware won’t be able to talk to the OS in the right way. So, some of your keys, like the Esc key, might not work. So, you need to update your driver and see if that fixes the problem:
- Press Windows + X keys and select Device Manager from the list.
- Expand the Keyboard drop-down and right-click on your keyboard driver.
- Press the Update Driver option.
- Next, click on Search automatically for drivers.
- Wait until a new driver is found and installed.
- If you haven’t updated Windows, choose Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.
- Once you’re navigated to the Windows Update settings, click on the Download & Install button. This should install the latest keyboard driver available.
Using Keyboard Troubleshooter
Fix “Esc Key Not Working” error: You can use the Keyboard Troubleshooter if checking doesn’t fix the Esc key. Well, this method makes a list of the things that could have gone wrong with your computer and tries to fix the problem. Here’s how to run the specialized troubleshooter on Windows 11:
- Open Settings and navigate to the System menu.
- Scroll down and choose the Troubleshoot option.
- Next, click on Other Troubleshooters.
- Now, find Keyboard and press the Run button beside it.
- Then, wait for several seconds until the troubleshooter detects and resolves all the issues.
- Finally, close the troubleshooter and check if the Esc key works fine.
Fix “Esc Key Not Working” error on Mac
Use the Accessibility Keyboard
If the first step didn’t make the Escape key work, try this one. You can use the ESC key and turn on the Accessibility Keyboard. So, do what we say to activate the Accessibility Keyboard.
- Go to the System Preferences option and click Accessibility.
- Now, click Keyboard, select Viewer, and choose Enable Accessibility Keyboard.
If you know it is a hardware problem, you can take your Mac to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store. Apple offers a Keyboard Service program; if your Mac meets some criteria, you don’t need to pay anything.
Try to Quit Siri
When Siri freezes, this Escape key doesn’t always work. So, this method is about how to make Siri to stop working. Here are the steps you need to take.
- Open Activity Monitor on your Mac, then Application and Utilities.
- Choose the Siri.
- Next, click the Stop button and then select the Force Quit section
Update your Mac
If your Mac doesn’t have the latest version of macOS, try to update it to the latest version and Fix ESC (Escape) Key not Working on Mac. Follow the steps we’ve given.
- Go to the System Preferences on your Mac.
- Click the Software Update option.
- If you can see an update message, click the Upgrade Now or Update Now option.
- After that, follow the onscreen instruction and wait for the update to be completed.
- Now, restart your Mac and then check the Escape Issue.
Use Safe Mode
Try to fix the ESC (Escape) Key not Working on Mac in Safe mode. Start up your Mac in Safe Mode to fix the problem.
- Go to your Apple Menu on your Mac, click on About This Mac and click the Overview tab.
- If you are using Intel Macs, then turn off your Mac. Now, turn on your Mac and press and hold the Shift key until you see the login screen.
- If you are using Apple Silicon Macs, then turn off your Mac. Turn on the Mac and immediately press and hold the power button until you see the startup options on the screen. Now, select the startup disk, press and hold the Shift key until you see “Continue in Safe Mode”.
- Now, log in to your Mac.
- Restart your Mac and check the ESC key.
FAQs
Find the Fn, F lock, or F Mode key on your computer. Depending on your laptop, you may need to press once or press and hold for a few seconds. If that didn’t work, press the Fn key and the Esc key together. Then, try using one of the Function keys.
Esc is a key on a computer keyboard that stands for “Escape.” It is in the top-left corner. It lets the person stop, cancel, or end a process. For example, hitting the Escape key stops the download of a slow-loading web page in an Internet browser.