How to fix multimedia keys not working in Windows 10

The multimedia keys on your keyboards are special keys that allow you to control the media on your system.. A common use of these multimedia keys is to play / stop media from keyboard. These multimedia keys allow users to interact and control multimedia files, like songs, in a very simple way. But, sometimes, multimedia keys stop working. This can happen randomly or after a Windows update. Most likely the keyboard keys work fine.

However, you may not be able to use them on your system or specific apps like Spotify app. Every time you press the multimedia key, nothing will change or happen. Your application will not respond to media keys. This issue is also not specific to a particular keyboard brand. This problem can occur with any keyboard manufacturer because it is not hardware related.

What causes the multimedia keys to stop working?

The most likely causes of this problem are

• Integrated Windows applications (or other third party applications) who take control of access to multimedia keys. In other words, certain apps will become the default apps for using the media keys.

• The desktop overlay option is enabled in certain applications.

• Google Play Music extension

Method 1: change the default program

Changing the default program to the application you are trying to use the multimedia keys with will usually solve the problem. Here are the steps you need to follow to make the desired app your default app

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R

2. Type control panel and press Enter

1. Click Programs

1. Select default programs

1. Click Select Program Defaults and Computer Access

1. Now select your application for the type of program. For example, if you have problems with iTunes for Windows, click on Music and select iTunes from the list. This will make iTunes the default program.

Once this is done, should be ready to go.

Method 2: deshabilitar Google Play Music

Note: although this method shows the steps to disable or change Google Play Music settings, this problem may be due to another music related extension like Plex. Therefore, the steps to disable or change extension settings will also be similar for other extensions. If you have other extensions related to music or media, use this solution.

If you have the Google Play Music extension installed in Google Chrome, then you may be to blame for this. Many users solved the problem simply by disabling the Google Play Music extension or changing the settings so that the multimedia keys work with other applications as well.. Both approaches are given below. First, We will try to solve the problem by changing some settings in Google Chrome so that you do not have to disable the Google Play Music extension.

1. Open Google Chrome

2. Click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner of the browser.

3. Select More tools and click Extensions

1. Click on the 3 bars in the upper left corner of the extensions page.

1. Select keyboard shortcuts

1. Look for the Google Play Music section and you will see a drop down menu with the Global option selected. This drop-down menu should be in front of the multimedia key options, how to reproduce / stop. Just select Chrome from the drop-down menu.

Once this is done, should be ready to go. But, if this doesn't solve the problem, you can disable Google Play Music extension completely. These are the steps you must follow to disable the Google Play Music extension

1. Open Google Chrome

2. Click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner of the browser.

3. Select More tools and click Extensions

4. You should be able to see all the installed extensions. Just toggle the slider to disable the Google Play Music extension.

Once this is done, check if this solved the problem or not.

Method 3: disable desktop overlay when using multimedia keys function

Note: This is applicable to people who are experiencing this problem with the Spotify app.

There is an option called Desktop Overlay when using the multimedia keys in the Spotify application. Disabling this option has solved the problem for most Spotify users. Follow the steps below to change this setting.

1. Open the Spotify app

2. Click Options (o Configuration)

3. Uncheck the Desktop overlay option when using multimedia keys

This should solve the problem and your media keys should start working in the Spotify app now.