How to Enable Function Keys via Your Keyboard or Computer Settings

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Learn how to enable your function keys on your computer
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This wikiHow teaches you how to toggle on the function keys on your keyboard. These are the keys at the top of your keyboard labeled F1 through F12. They have several different commands that may be useful, such as pulling up a help menu or refreshing a page.

Things You Should Know

  • Hold the "Fn" key while pressing a function key to get it to work.
  • If your keyboard has an "F Lock" key, press it to enable your function keys.
  • If your function keys don't work no matter what you try, you may need to enable them in your BIOS/UEFI.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using the Fn Key

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    This key is usually found in the bottom-left corner of your keyboard next to the Ctrl or Control key. [1] If you're using a full-size Mac keyboard, you may find it between the letter keys and the 10-key numeric keypad. [2]
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    These are found at the top of your keyboard. [3]
    • Try pressing F1 while in an application. If this opens a help menu, you successfully enabled the function key. On a Mac, this key generally lowers the volume.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using the F Lock Key

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    If your keyboard has this key, it'll usually be found in the top-left or top-right corner. A light will usually turn on when the key is enabled. [4]
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    These are at the top of the keyboard.
    • Try pressing F1 while in an application to check that you have successfully enabled the function keys. In Windows, this usually opens the Help menu. On a Mac, it turns down the volume. [5]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Enable in BIOS/UEFI

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    The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), also called a UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), is software built into your computer that gives it instructions on how to do various things. If your function keys are not working, they may be disabled in your BIOS/UEFI. [6]
    • You must press a button during startup (before the Windows logo appears) to enter the BIOS/UEFI, but the button differs depending on your computer. Common buttons to press are F1, F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc.
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    This may be found in different locations depending on your computer manufacturer, and may be a submenu under an "Advanced" menu. [7]
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    Again, the exact wording will vary depending on your computer manufacturer.
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    If you see that this option is already enabled, then the BIOS/UEFI is not responsible for your function keys not working as intended. [8]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-do-i-use-the-fn-key-f-lock-key-alternate-command-keys-fccfaf23-38f0-88a8-9b44-a18f24523b79
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102439
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-your-keyboard-18b2efc1-9e32-ba5a-0896-676f9f3b994f
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-do-i-use-the-fn-key-f-lock-key-alternate-command-keys-fccfaf23-38f0-88a8-9b44-a18f24523b79
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204436
      6. ↑ https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bios-keys-to-access-your-firmware,5732.html
      7. ↑ https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_5878386-5878672-16
      8. ↑ https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_5878386-5878672-16

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Hold down the Fn key.
      2. Hit a function key at the top to use it.

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