PowerToys Keyboard Manager Not Working

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Confirm it's running

   Copy steps
   1. 01Check the PowerToys tray icon
   2. 02Settings > Keyboard Manager > Enable Keyboard Manager
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Disable and re-enable Keyboard Manager

   Copy steps
   1. 01Microsoft's fix when another app's keyboard hook interferes
   2. 02Toggle the module off and back on
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Run PowerToys as administrator

   Copy steps
   1. 01Settings > General > Restart as administrator
   2. 02Remaps won't apply in elevated windows otherwise
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Use the process name for app-specific remaps

   Copy steps
   1. 01Run 'tasklist' in Command Prompt
   2. 02Use the Image Name, e.g. msedge.exe, outlook.exe, as the Target app
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Avoid keys Windows reserves

   Copy steps
   1. 01Win+L and Ctrl+Alt+Del can't be remapped
   2. 02Fn usually can't be remapped; F1-F24 can
   3. 03Disable Xbox Game Bar if remapping Win+G
   Did this fix it? Yes No

6. FIX 6Update to 0.100.1 or newer

   1. 010.100.1 fixed remapped modifier keys being sent as system-key events
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Remapped keys type the original key, work in some apps but not others, stop after a while, or don't apply in games.

Why it happens

• C-01PowerToys not running or Keyboard Manager disabled
• C-02Target app runs as administrator
• C-03Wrong target app name (display name instead of process name)
• C-04Another app with its own keyboard hook interferes
• C-05Reserved keys (Win+L, Ctrl+Alt+Del, Fn) can't be remapped
• C-06Games using low-level keyboard APIs

// this guide also covers

• powertoys keyboard manager not working
• powertoys remap not working
• powertoys key remap not working in games
• keyboard manager not remapping

The same problem in other apps

All audio, video & device problems guides →

• AutoHotkey Hotkeys Not Working on Non-English Keyboard Layouts (AutoHotkey)

Other Microsoft PowerToys errors

• PowerToys Run Not Working (Alt+Space)
• PowerToys FancyZones Not Working
• PowerToys High Memory and CPU Usage
• PowerToys Not Working With Admin Apps
• PowerToys Text Extractor Not Working
• Mouse Without Borders Not Connecting
• PowerToys Settings Not Opening
• PowerToys Not Working After Update