Spacebar Key on Keyboard Not Working on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7

Keyboard-Spacebar-Not-Working-on-Windows-11,-10,-8,-7

Spacebar, Backspace, and Enter keys are the most used yet underrated keys because most people consider them pros in typing. Only when these keys stop working do they understand how useful these keys are. 

If you, like most, considered the Spacebar to be just an extra key, but now that it has stopped working, you are wondering how to fix the Spacebar not working on Windows 11/10/8/7, you’ve landed on the right post. Here, we will explain ways to fix the space bar key on your keyboard stopped working

The spacebar is an essential key on the keyboard. Using it, you can perform several important functions. Regardless of what you are using the PC for, be it for gaming, typing, or browsing, spacebar is very useful. Therefore, working on the PC becomes inconvenient when the Spacebar is broken. This happens mostly because of misconfigured settings or outdated keyboard drivers. Hence, before you rush to the technician to fix the issue, try the troubleshooting steps below.

Best Ways to Fix Keyboard Spacebar Not Working – Windows 11/10/8/7

Basic Fixes

Before we learn more about technical troubleshooting, let us try some basic fixes. 

1. Clean your keyboard using a vacuum cleaner. So that all dust particles are removed, and if they are causing the issue, the problem gets fixed.

keyboard space bar

2. If you use an external keyboard, disconnect and reconnect it. However, if this does not help, try connecting the keyboard to another PC so that you know there is nothing wrong with the keyboard. This will help determine whether it is a software or hardware issue. 

Technical Troubleshooting

Method 1 – Disable Filter and Sticky Keys

To offer ease of use to users with disabilities, Windows offers different accessibility features. Sticky Keys and Filter Keys are a part of these features. Sometimes, when enabled, they cause issues with the Spacebar. Therefore, to ensure they are not the reason behind the broken Spacebar issue, let us disable them and see if it helps.

Step 1: Press the Windows + I to access Windows Settings.
Step 2: Click the Accessibility tab (Windows 11) Ease of Access (Windows 10).

Windows Settings

Step 3: Click the Keyboard option.

Toggle switch - Keyboard Option

Step 4: Toggle off the switches next to the Sticky and Filter keys. 

Now, try to use the Spacebar. It should help. If this doesn’t work, no worries. We have other fixes you can try. 

Read Also: Fix – Keyboard Input Lag Issue on Windows 11/10

Method 2 – Run Windows Troubleshooter

To fix different issues, Windows offers a built-in troubleshooter. Since the Spacebar on the keyboard is not working, try using the troubleshooter to fix the issue. 

Step 1: Press Windows + S, and in the search field, type troubleshoot.
Step 2: Open the best search results.
Step 3: Click Other troubleshooters (Windows 11.) Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10).

Additional Troubleshooters

Step 4: Look for the Keyboard option, click on it, and Run the troubleshooter.

Run the troubleshooter in Keyboard tab

Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter. If there are any errors detected, they will be automatically fixed. 

However, if the troubleshooter fails to detect any issue, run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. It will help fix problems with all your externally connected devices, including the keyboard.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press the Enter key.

use DeviceDiagnostic command

Step 3: Click Next and follow the on-screen prompts to run the troubleshooter.

Follow the instructions. This should help.

Method 3 – Restart Human Interface Device Service

Human Interface Device Service is responsible for registering your keyboard inputs on Windows. If there is an issue with the service, the keyboard might not work. Restarting it helps fix the issue. Follow the steps to restart it:

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
Step 2: Type services.msc and press the Enter key.
Step 3: Look for Human Interface Device Service in the Services window. Right-click it > select Restart.

Human Interface Device Service in Services window

This should help fix the issue on your computer.

Read Also : [Solution] Keyboard Arrow Keys Not Working Issue ? Try These Fixes!

Method 4 -. Update or Reinstall Keyboard drivers

The keyboard driver translates the commands and acts as a bridge between the keyboard and Windows. Hence, when the driver is outdated or corrupt, you face issues with keyboard keys, and some keys might malfunction, such as the Spacebar. Try updating the keyboard driver to see if it helps get the Spacebar working. You can update the driver manually or automatically using a driver updating tool like Advanced Driver Updater. Follow the steps below and decide which method you will try to use to update drivers. 

Manually Updating Keyboard Driver

Step 1: Press the Windows + R to open the Run window.
Step 2: Type devmgmt.msc, and hit the Enter key.

type devmgmt command

Step 3: Now, scroll down and double-click the Keyboard option. Right-click on your keyboard device > select Update driver.

update driver

Step 4: Select ‘Search automatically for drivers’ for updating drivers on the next page and follow on-screen instructions. Windows will look for available updates and will update the driver.search automatically for drivers

Step 5: Restart your PC to apply the changes. Alternatively, download the latest driver update from the manufacturer’s website.

Automatically Update Keyboard Driver

If manually updating the driver seems too much work, you can update the driver automatically. To do so, you will need to install Advanced Driver Updater, one of the best driver updating tools that help keep drivers updated on Windows. You can use its free or paid version to update the driver and fix the Spacebar not working error.

Want to know complete information about the tool ? Go here

Also, you can use it to schedule driver scanning, exclude incompatible drivers, and update tested and WHQL-certified drivers in a few clicks without providing any information. 

To use it and fix the Spacebar not working, follow these steps.

Step 1: Download, install, and run Advanced Driver Updater.

Step 2: Click Start Scan Now to scan the PC for outdated drivers. Wait for the scanning process to finish. Advanced Driver Updater will now show a list of out-of-date system drivers.

start scan using advanced driver updater

Step 3: You can now update the driver. If you are using the trial version, click the Update Driver link. However, click the Update All button if you have the paid version. This will update all drivers at once.

Click on Update all

Step 4: Finally, restart the PC and check that the ‘Spacebar key is not working’; issue is now fixed.

Method 5 -. Perform the SFC scan

If the issue persists, there might be an issue with the system files causing the problem. Hence, run an SFC Scan to fix the laptop Spacebar not working. Follow the steps below to run the command and fix corrupt system files.

Step 1: Run the elevated Command Prompt.

Command Prompt_Admin

Step 2: Type the sfc /scannow and press the Enter key.

SFC command

Let the process run. Windows will now look for issues with system files and fix them automatically. Now check if the Spacebar key should be working.

Method 6 -. Update Windows

Sometimes, a Windows bug can also cause the Spacebar not to work. The best way to fix it is to update Windows. Follow these steps to download and run the latest version of Windows. 

Step 1: Press Windows + S and type Check for updates.

type check for updates

Step 2: Choose the best search result.
Step 3: Click the Check for updates button.

Windows will now look for available updates. If updates are found, the downloading procedure will begin immediately. Restart your computer and check the Keyboard Spacebar should now be working.

Method 7 – Perform System Restore

If you have made any changes to the Windows, then the Spacebar might become unresponsive. If you don’t remember the changes you made,  perform a system restore. This will help reverse any changes. The process will not impact your data.

Step 1: Press Windows + S, type create a restore point, and press Enter.
Step 2: Click the System Protection tab > System Restore button.

create system restore

Step 3: Click Next to continue.
Step 4: Select a restore point to which you want to restore the system or when the spacebar was working. Click Next to proceed.

Step 5: Click Finish and allow Windows to restore to the specified restore point.

No More Spacebar Not Working Issues

That’s it. You can fix the Spacebar not working issue on Windows 11/10/8/7 using the steps mentioned above. To keep drivers updated and avoid facing such issues give Advanced Driver Updater a try. However, if you find the issue you are facing is hardware, you can temporarily use the on-screen keyboard available in Windows or remap a key you don’t often use to function as the Spacebar. We hope this helps. In case you have any suggestions or queries, drop us a comment. 

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About The Author

Preeti Seth
Preeti Seth

A UX writer who loves explaining technical details in a clear, crisp, and concise manner. She loves writing about technical troubleshooting, How-To's, product reviews, etc. In her free time, she loves reading, meditating, and traveling.

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