How To Turn On The Fn Key | Restore Function Keys

On lots of laptops, the top row does double duty. It can act as F1–F12, or it can run actions like brightness, volume, and play/pause. The Fn button is the switch that decides which job you get.

If your function row suddenly “changed,” you’re usually dealing with Fn Lock. Some brands call it Action Keys mode or Hotkey mode. The good news: you can flip it back in minutes once you know where your device keeps that control.

What The Fn Button Changes

Fn works like a modifier. While you hold it, the laptop treats certain buttons as alternate commands. On the function row, that often means you get brightness or volume instead of F2 or F11.

Fn Lock is the sticky version of that behavior. When Fn Lock is enabled, you don’t need to hold Fn to get the alternate actions. Your top row will default to media controls (or default to F1–F12), based on how it’s set.

Two Modes You’ll Run Into

• Media-first: Pressing F1–F12 runs brightness/volume/playback. Hold Fn to get classic F1–F12.
• F1–F12-first: Pressing F1–F12 runs classic function commands. Hold Fn to get media controls.

Neither mode is “right.” Pick the one that matches what you do most often.

How To Turn On The Fn Key On Windows And Mac

Most devices fall into one of three buckets: a keyboard shortcut, a BIOS/UEFI toggle, or an OS setting. Start with the shortcut, since it’s the quickest fix on many models.

Step 1: Try The Fn Lock Shortcut

Look for a small lock icon printed on one of the top-row buttons (often Esc, F1, F2, or F12). That lock icon usually marks the Fn Lock shortcut.

1. Press and hold Fn.
2. Press the button with the lock icon once (common combos include Fn + Esc, Fn + F1, Fn + F12).
3. Test the top row: press F2 or F5 and see whether you get the behavior you want without holding Fn.

If nothing changes, try the same combo again. Some laptops flip the mode and show a small on-screen icon. Others change silently.

Step 2: Check Vendor Keyboard Settings In Windows

Windows doesn’t usually control Fn Lock by itself, yet many laptops install a vendor utility that exposes the switch. If you have Lenovo Vantage, Dell Peripheral Manager, or an HP hotkey utility, open it and look for settings that mention “Function keys,” “Action keys,” or “Hotkey mode.”

When you’re testing, it helps to know what “normal” F-rows do inside apps. Microsoft’s shortcuts reference is handy for quick checks. Microsoft’s keyboard shortcuts list can confirm whether your F-keys are firing as expected.

Step 3: macOS Keyboard Setting For The Top Row

On Macs, the OS offers a clean toggle for the top row. You can choose whether your keys behave as standard function keys or as special features by default.

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
2. Go to Keyboard.
3. Toggle the option that uses F1, F2, and so on as standard function keys.

Apple documents the exact steps and wording by macOS version on Apple’s function-keys settings page.

When The Shortcut Doesn’t Work

If Fn + Esc (or the lock-marked button) does nothing, your laptop may control the behavior at a deeper level. That usually means BIOS/UEFI, or a missing hotkey driver in Windows.

Check BIOS Or UEFI For Function Row Behavior

Many laptops store the default top-row mode in BIOS/UEFI. You’ll see labels like “Action Keys Mode,” “Hotkey Mode,” or “Function Key Behavior.” Changing that setting flips whether media actions or F1–F12 run by default.

1. Restart the laptop.
2. Enter BIOS/UEFI using your brand’s boot shortcut (often F2, Del, Esc, or F10).
3. Find a keyboard or system configuration section.
4. Switch the function row behavior setting.
5. Save changes and reboot.

If you’re unsure which boot shortcut your machine uses, tap the most common one repeatedly right after power-on and watch for a brief “Setup” prompt.

Repair The Windows Hotkey Layer

On some Windows laptops, Fn combos depend on a vendor driver. If you reinstalled Windows, updated firmware, or removed a vendor utility, the Fn layer can partially break. Signs include brightness and volume not responding, or the Fn lock combo doing nothing.

• Lenovo: Update Lenovo Vantage and the Hotkeys component.
• HP: Update HP System Event Utility or HP Hotkey Support.
• Dell: Use Dell Command | Update for model-specific keyboard packages.
• Others: Grab the hotkeys/keyboard utility from the support page for your exact model.

Fixes For “Fn Feels Stuck” Problems

Sometimes Fn Lock isn’t the whole story. A sticky button, an external keyboard, or accessibility settings can mimic it.

Rule Out A Stuck Physical Button

• Tap Fn a few times, then press a function-row button and see whether anything changes.
• Disconnect external keyboards and docks, then test again.
• If you have a spare keyboard, plug it in and check whether the issue follows the laptop keyboard or stays system-wide.

Reset Keyboard State With A Full Shutdown

After sleep glitches or firmware updates, the embedded controller can get confused. A full shutdown can clear it.

1. Shut down the laptop fully.
2. Unplug power and disconnect accessories.
3. Power back on and retest your Fn Lock shortcut.

Check Sticky Keys And Modifier Settings

Sticky Keys and related features can change how modifiers behave. In Windows, search Settings for “Sticky Keys.” On macOS, check Keyboard accessibility options. If you rely on Sticky Keys, keep it on, then set your function row behavior using the OS or BIOS toggle.

Enter BIOS Or UEFI Without Guessing

If your laptop stores function-row behavior in firmware, the hard part is getting into BIOS/UEFI on the first try. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need two reliable entry methods.

Method 1: Use The Built-In Windows Recovery Path

This works well when Windows boots normally.

1. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Under the recovery restart option, choose Restart now.
3. Select Troubleshoot > More options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
4. Restart, then change the function-row setting and save.

Method 2: Tap The Setup Button Right After Power-On

If you don’t see “UEFI Firmware Settings” in Windows, use the power-on method. Start tapping one button the moment you press the power button. If it doesn’t work, shut down and try the next one.

• F2: common on Acer, ASUS, Dell, Lenovo, MSI
• Esc: common on HP and some Lenovo models
• F10: common on HP
• Del: common on custom desktops, some gaming laptops

Once you’re in, look for settings named “Action Keys Mode,” “Hotkey Mode,” or “Function Key Behavior.” Save changes, then retest the top row inside Windows.

Fn Lock Shortcuts And Where They Usually Live

The lock icon is still your best clue. If you don’t see one, use this table to pick the next combo to try.

Troubleshoot By What You See On Screen

Use symptoms to pick the next move. This saves time and avoids random toggles.

External Keyboards, Docks, And Remapping Apps

If you use a USB keyboard, a laptop dock, or a keyboard app that remaps buttons, you can end up with two different “function rows” in play at once. The laptop’s Fn setting won’t always control the external keyboard’s top row, and some external boards have their own Fn Lock shortcut.

Start simple: unplug the dock, connect the keyboard directly, then test. If the external board has a lock icon on Esc or a top-row button, try its Fn + lock combo. If the board has a hardware switch for “F-keys” vs media keys, set it there first.

Also scan your system tray for remapping tools. Windows utilities like PowerToys Keyboard Manager, AutoHotkey scripts, or vendor macro apps can intercept F-keys inside specific programs. If only one app is acting weird, check that app’s shortcut settings before you keep flipping Fn modes system-wide.

Make The Setting Stick

After you’ve got the behavior you want, do two quick checks.

Reboot Once

Some laptops only toggle Fn lock for the current session. Restart once and confirm the top row still behaves the same. If it resets, change the firmware default in BIOS/UEFI.

Pick A Simple Test

Use one repeatable test so you can tell which mode you’re in without guessing. Many people use F2 (rename in File Explorer) and F5 (refresh). Press the button once, see what happens, and you’ll know right away whether Fn is needed.

When You’ve Tried Everything

If the lock shortcut, BIOS/UEFI toggle, and vendor hotkey packages don’t change anything, test with an external keyboard. If an external keyboard behaves normally, the laptop keyboard may be failing. If both behave the same, you’re likely dealing with a system-level utility or firmware issue.

At that point, check for BIOS updates from your laptop maker and remove any third-party keyboard remapping tools you don’t use. If the behavior changed after a spill or physical damage, software tweaks may not help.

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