How to turn off Sticky Keys on Windows

Sticky Keys, an accessibility feature found on Windows™ devices, can be helpful if you have trouble pressing multiple keys at once. But if you accidentally turn it on, it can slow you down. Luckily, it’s easy to turn off.

Asurion Experts help millions of people resolve tricky tech issues every year. Whether you're having trouble with a laptop keyboard that stops working or want to know how to turn off Sticky Keys, we can assist.

What are Sticky Keys, and why are they used?

People with physical impairments may have trouble pressing two keys simultaneously. Windows introduced Sticky Keys as a solution. The Sticky Keys keyboard lets users press and release the standard modifier keys—Ctrl, Alt, Windows, and Shift—to use shortcuts. 

For instance, to capitalize a letter, Sticky Keys requires the user to press and release Shift, then press and release the desired letter. The regular process to capitalize a letter requires a user to press and hold Shift and the letter at the same time.

Sticky Keys is incredibly useful to individuals who need it. But it disrupts normal keyboard operations for those who accidentally turn it on.

How to disable Sticky Keys using keyboard shortcuts

Did you accidentally press the magic key combination to enable Sticky Keys? Here's how to turn Sticky Keys off again directly from your keyboard.

1. Press and release the Shift key five times.
2. Listen for a brief alert from your device. It signifies Sticky Keys is off. The alert won't play on muted computers or devices with the Sticky Keys sound setting disabled.

If Sticky Keys isn't on and you press the Shift key five times, the Sticky Keys pop-up appears. It asks for confirmation to turn on the function. Click No to decline Sticky Keys. 

How to turn off Sticky Keys in Windows settings

To disable Sticky Keys through Windows settings, follow these steps.

1. Click the Windows Start menu > Settings.
2. Click Accessibility > Keyboard in Windows 11. If you use Windows 10, click Ease of Access > Keyboard.
3. Click the toggle button next to Sticky Keys to turn it off. 

How to permanently turn off Sticky Keys

If you don't have any use for Sticky Keys, you can disable its keyboard shortcut and turn it off in Settings. Here's how to do that.

1. Click the Windows Start menu > Settings.
2. Click Accessibility > Keyboard in Windows 11 or Ease of Access > Keyboard in Windows 10.
3. Verify the toggle button next to Sticky Keys is off. If it's on, click to disable it.
4. Click Sticky Keys to view other menu options.
5. Click the toggle button off for the below options to completely disable Sticky Keys on your device:
   1. Keyboard shortcut for Sticky Keys
   2. Show the Sticky Keys icon on the taskbar
   3. Lock shortcut keys when pressed twice in a row
6. Close Settings. 

After disabling Sticky Keys and turning off its keyboard shortcuts, you won't have to worry about accidentally turning it on again. You can always re-enable Sticky Keys through the Windows 10 or 11 Settings menu if needed.

Re-enabling Sticky Keys

To turn on Sticky Keys again, follow these steps.

1. Click the Windows Start menu > Settings.
2. Click Accessibility > Keyboard in Windows 11 or Ease of Access > Keyboard in Windows 10.
3. Toggle the button next to Sticky Keys on. 
4. Click Sticky Keys to view all available options.
5. Click the toggle button next to the below options to re-enable Sticky Keys features
   1. Keyboard shortcut for Sticky Keys
   2. Show the Sticky Keys icon on the taskbar
   3. Lock shortcut keys when pressed twice in a row
6. Close Settings.