A quick Ctrl + Alt + Del keyboard shortcut helps you lock screen, switch user, sign out, change a password, and access Task Manager instantly. You can use this quick solution to force quit task, instantly sign out of the account, lock your screen, and perform numerous other tasks instantly. In some cases, this quick keyboard shortcut refuses to work. Here, we have discussed some of the easiest and most effective solutions to fix Ctrl Alt Del not working in Windows 10.

Also Read: How To Fix Laptop Keys Not Working?

How to Fix Ctrl Alt Del Not Working in 2022

There are numerous ways to fix Ctrl Alt Del not working error. Some of these solutions include:

Solution 1: Check your keyboard

Before you move on to advance steps to fix the issue, make sure all is good with your keyboard. It is possible that your keyboard is malfunctioning causing Ctrl Alt Del not working. You can try connecting new keyboard with your system or check your keyboard with another system to check this. Once you have ascertained everything is fine with keyboard and still Ctrl Alt Del shortcut is not working, then move on to some advanced steps.

Solution 2: Update Keyboard Drivers

In the advanced steps, first solution is to update keyboard drivers. Drivers help your hardware communicate with the operating system to perform seamlessly. There might be outdated, corrupt, or incompatible drivers that are causing the trouble. To fix this, you should consider updating keyboard drivers by following these steps:

• Right click Start menu and select Device Manager.
• On Device Manager, expand Keyboards
• Now right click on the device within and select Update Driver.

Now you will find two options:

First, Search automatically for updated driver software, choosing which you allow Windows to update drivers automatically. Here, it will search your PC and Internet to find and install the latest drivers.

Second, Browse my computer for driver software. You can use this option to locate and install driver software manually. Remember, before you select this option, you need to find and download the latest keyboard drivers from the manufacturer website.

In you find manually updating drivers a complicated task, then you can consider using driver updater software for instant results. One such tool is Smart Driver Care that helps you update all outdated, corrupt, and incompatible drivers automatically.

Download Smart Driver Care 

Complete Review on Smart Driver Care

Solution 3: Change Keyboard Settings

If you have added some custom keyboard shortcuts/hotkeys or you have installed any software that could modify your default keyboard settings automatically, then this is the time to change or reset the keyboard settings. This is one of the easiest steps to fix Ctrl Alt Del not working in Windows 10. To do this, follow these steps:

• Press Win + I keys to open Windows Settings.
• On Settings window, select Time & Language
• On the next window, select Region and language from left pane.
• In the right pane under Preferred Languages, click Add a language

Note: Make sure you have not selected Set as my Windows display language here. Additionally, if you are already using multiple languages, then you can skip this step.

Next is to select your primary language from the top of the list.

You are done. Check if Ctrl + Alt + Del is working now.

Solution 4: Run SFC Scan

Sometimes corrupt system files could cause Ctrl + Alt + Del not working issue on your PC> Here, you can consider repairing corrupt Windows system files by running an SFC (System File Checker) Scan. To do this, follow these steps:

• Type cmd in the search bar on the taskbar.
• Right click on Command Prompt from the given options and select Run as administrator.
• Press Yes when prompted.

Now you need to enter below commands and wait for the process to complete:

• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Sfc /Scannow

Once you have run all these commands, close Command Prompt. Check if Ctrl+Alt+Del is working now.

Solution 5: Update Windows

Updating Windows on regular intervals could help you fix various performance issues effortlessly. To update Windows, follow steps mentioned below.

• Press Win + I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Select Update & Security.
• Click Windows Update in the left pane.
• Click the Check for Updates button in the right pane.
• It will help you find and install all latest available updates automatically on your PC.

Once the system is up to date, check if Ctrl+Alt+Del not working issue is fixed.

Conclusion

So, these were a few quick steps to fix Ctrl+Alt+Del not working in Windows 10. Do try these steps and share your feedback in the comments below.