The Alt key fails in two distinct ways. Either shortcuts like Alt+Tab and Alt+F4 stop working, or Alt codes for symbols stop working while shortcuts still do. They have different causes, so start by pinning down which one you have.
Which Alt problem do you have?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Jump to |
|---|---|---|
| Alt+Tab, Alt+F4 and menu shortcuts do nothing | Sticky Keys, a stuck modifier, gaming mode, or the key is dead | Fixes 1 to 6 |
| Shortcuts work but Alt+0176 style codes do not | No numpad, Num Lock off, or the wrong Alt key | Fixes 7 to 9 |
| The right Alt types symbols like € instead of acting as Alt | That key is Alt Gr on your layout | Fix 10 |
| Alt works in some apps only | The app captures it | Fix 4 |
Use the tester above first. Press each Alt key and watch whether it registers. If neither registers, the problem is almost certainly Sticky Keys, a driver, or hardware. If both register, the key is fine and the fix is in settings.
Fixes for Alt shortcuts not working
1. Turn off Sticky Keys
Sticky Keys makes modifiers behave as if they are held after one press, which can make Alt appear stuck or ignored. Pressing Shift five times turns it on, so it switches on by accident constantly.
- Windows: Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard → turn Sticky Keys and Filter Keys off.
- Mac: System Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard → turn Sticky Keys and Slow Keys off.
Details are in How to turn Sticky Keys off.
2. Clear a stuck modifier
If Windows believes Alt, Ctrl or Shift is already held, other combinations behave strangely. Press and release each modifier once: left Alt, right Alt, both Ctrl keys, both Shift keys, and the Windows key. On a laptop, press Fn once too. Then try Alt+Tab.
3. Turn off game mode on the keyboard
Gaming keyboards from Logitech, Razer, Corsair, SteelSeries and others have a game mode that disables the Windows key and, on some models, Alt+Tab and Alt+F4. Look for a key with a controller or lock icon, usually combined with Fn, or check the vendor software.
4. Close the app that captures Alt
Remote desktop sessions, virtual machines and full-screen games often take Alt for themselves. Test in Notepad: if Alt+F4 closes Notepad, the key works and the other app is intercepting it. In Remote Desktop, Alt+Tab is sent to the remote machine when the session is full screen; press Alt+Page Up for the local equivalent.
5. Check the keyboard layout
Some layouts, such as the Dvorak variants or custom layouts from a previous user, move or disable keys. Press Win+Space to see the active layout and switch to your normal one. If you see a language you did not add, remove it under Settings → Time & Language → Language & region.
6. Reinstall the keyboard driver
Open Device Manager, expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, choose Uninstall device, then restart. If the problem began after a Windows update, also check Settings → Windows Update → Update history for a driver update you can roll back in Device Manager.
Fixes for Alt codes not working
7. Use the numeric keypad, not the number row
Alt codes only work with the numpad. On a full-size keyboard, hold Alt and type the digits on the keypad on the right. The number row above the letters does nothing. See the Alt codes finder for the codes themselves.
8. Turn Num Lock on
The keypad must be in number mode. Press Num Lock and look for its indicator light. If the keypad moves the cursor instead of typing numbers, Num Lock is off. More on this in Num Lock not working.
9. On a laptop without a numpad
Most laptops have no keypad, and many have no Fn overlay either. Your options:
- Press Win + . to open the emoji panel and use its Symbols tab.
- Copy the symbol from Copy and paste symbols.
- In Word, type the Unicode hex code and press Alt+X. Every symbol page on this site lists it.
- If your laptop has a hidden overlay on the J, K, L, U, I, O keys, hold Fn+Alt and type the code on those keys.
10. Use the left Alt, not Alt Gr
On UK, German, French and most other non-US layouts, the right Alt is Alt Gr. It types the third character on a key, for example Alt Gr+4 for € on a UK keyboard, and it does not work for Alt codes. Always use the left Alt for Alt codes and for shortcuts that misbehave. Read Where is the Alt Gr key for a full explanation.
Hardware checks
If neither Alt key registers in the tester and Sticky Keys is off:
- Try the keyboard on another computer, or another keyboard on this one, to separate hardware from software.
- Clean under the key with compressed air.
- On a wireless keyboard, replace the batteries or re-pair it.
- If one Alt is dead and the other works, remap the dead one with PowerToys Keyboard Manager. How to remap keyboard keys shows the steps.
Troubleshooting flow
- Test both Alt keys in the tester above.
- Turn off Sticky Keys and Filter Keys.
- Press and release every modifier to clear a stuck state.
- Turn off keyboard game mode; close games, remote desktop and VMs.
- For Alt codes: use the numpad, turn Num Lock on, use the left Alt.
- Check the layout with Win+Space.
- Reinstall the driver and restart.
- Test another keyboard, then clean or remap.
Related guides
- Alt codes on a laptop without a numpad
- Alt codes not working
- Where is the Alt key
- Mac keyboard symbols and Option shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
Why does Alt+Tab work but Alt codes do not? +
Alt codes need the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. On a laptop without a numpad, the number row does not work for Alt codes. Use Win + . for the symbol panel or copy the symbol instead.
What is the difference between Alt and Alt Gr? +
Alt Gr is the right Alt key on many non-US layouts. It types the third character on a key, such as € or @. It does not behave like the left Alt for shortcuts on those layouts.
Why does the Alt key open the menu bar in my app? +
Tapping Alt on its own activates the menu bar in most Windows apps. That is normal. Press Escape to leave it. Alt only works as a modifier when you hold it and press another key.
Can a game make my Alt key stop working in Windows? +
Yes. Some games and launchers grab the key while they are open, and some gaming keyboards have a game mode that disables the Windows key and sometimes Alt combinations. Close the game or turn game mode off.
Does the Mac have an Alt key? +
The Option key is the Mac equivalent and is often printed with alt on it. It does not use Windows Alt codes; it uses Option shortcuts and the Character Viewer instead.