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How to Fix Ctrl+B and Other Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working in Word
Question details
The user needs to restore the functionality of standard keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word, specifically the Ctrl+B command for bolding text.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to use common keyboard shortcuts to format text or execute commands while editing a document.
- Observed behavior
- Standard keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+B fail to execute their assigned commands (e.g., text does not become bold), which is particularly common in non-English installations.
Before altering your Word settings, verify that your keyboard hardware is functioning properly and that no background applications (like screen recorders or gaming software) are intercepting your keyboard combinations.
Reassign Shortcuts via the Customize Keyboard Dialog
Manually reassign the affected shortcuts directly in Word's global template to override any corrupted or conflicting key bindings.
This method modifies the global Normal.dotm template. Doing so ensures that your corrected keyboard shortcuts will apply permanently to all new documents you create, bypassing issues caused by non-English installations or third-party add-ins.
Launch Microsoft Word and navigate to File > Options. From the left-hand menu, select Customize Ribbon.
At the bottom of the Customize Ribbon window, locate the 'Keyboard shortcuts' label and click the 'Customize...' button next to it.
In the Customize Keyboard dialog, select 'All Commands' under the Categories list on the left. Then, scroll through the Commands list on the right and select the specific command you want to fix, such as 'Bold'.
Click inside the 'Press new shortcut key' text box and physically press the desired key combination on your keyboard (e.g., Ctrl+B). Ensure the 'Save changes in' dropdown is set to 'Normal.dotm', then click the 'Assign' button at the bottom left.
Close the dialog boxes to return to your document. When you exit Word entirely, if a prompt appears asking if you want to save changes to the global template (Normal.dotm), be sure to click 'Save'.
Avoid Shortcut Conflicts with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word shortcut bugs and template configuration issues are slowing down your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with seamless format compatibility and reliable, pre-configured keyboard shortcuts.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and complete the quick installation process.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly. No conversion is necessary.
- 3. Edit with Standard Shortcuts: Highlight your text and use familiar shortcuts like Ctrl+B, Ctrl+C, and Ctrl+V without any configuration hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Ctrl+B shortcut suddenly stop working in Word?
Standard shortcuts can stop working due to a corrupted Normal.dotm template, an interfering third-party Word add-in, a recent software update bug, or issues specific to non-English language packs changing default bindings.
How do I reset all keyboard shortcuts to their default settings in Word?
To reset all shortcuts, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, click the 'Customize...' button next to Keyboard shortcuts, and then click the 'Reset All...' button located at the bottom of the dialog box.
Will modifying the Normal.dotm template affect my previously saved documents?
No, changing keyboard shortcuts in the Normal.dotm template only updates the application's behavior and the default settings for future documents. The text, formatting, and content of your existing documents remain completely unaffected.
