Escape key doesn't work.

[Shadow2021]

Esc won't work. Tried suggested fixes. HP Laptop Windows 11

[Garp_senchau]

@Shadow2021, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

If the Esc key on your HP Laptop isn't working, let's go through some troubleshooting steps to get it back in action.

Check If "Esc" Works in BIOS

Restart your laptop and press Esc repeatedly during startup.

If the Startup Menu appears, the key works at a hardware level, and the issue is within Windows.

If it doesn’t respond, it could be a hardware or firmware issue.

Try the On-Screen Keyboard

Press Win + Ctrl + O to open the On-Screen Keyboard.

Click the Esc key and see if it registers.

If it works here, the problem might be keyboard settings or software-related.

Disable Filter Keys

Open Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.

Toggle filter keys OFF (this can block key presses).

Update/Reinstall the Keyboard Driver

Right-click the Start Menu > Device Manager.

Expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard driver, and select Uninstall device.

Restart your laptop—Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

Check for Stuck Function (Fn) Mode

Press Fn + Esc (some models toggle function key behavior this way).

If your laptop has an "Fn Lock" key, press it once and retry Esc.

Run the HP Keyboard Test

Restart and press F2 to enter HP Hardware Diagnostics.

Select Component Tests > Keyboard Test and check if Esc registers.

Perform a Hard Reset 

Power off the laptop.

Unplug the charger and hold the power button for 30 seconds.

Plug it back in and power it on.

If Esc still doesn’t work after these steps, it might be a hardware issue (defective key). In that case, try an external keyboard, 

Let me know how it goes! 😊

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Regards,