Fn key: How to enable or disable the Fn button (2024)

Generally, most laptop users will be familiar with the Fn key because it is primarily found on smaller keyboards. Functioning as a space-saving option on smaller devices, the key is used in combination with others to access their alternative assignments. By having multiple assignments for single keys, laptop makers can design devices that are more compact without losing common functions. Here, you’ll learn which commands can be performed using the Fn key and how to enable and disable the key.

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Functions and use of the Fn key

The function key can be identified by the abbreviation “Fn” on computer keyboards. Its function is similar to that of the Shift key and Alt Gr key which provide access to second and third assignments on keyboards. The Fn key also provides access to second assignments, but it is mainly found on laptop keyboards. Using multiple assignments for single keys allows numerous functions to be available without the need for additional physical keys.

Tip

The Control key [Ctrl] is another key that only has a function when it is combined with other keys. For more information, see our dedicated article on theCtrl key.

The Fn key is located in the bottom row near the Ctrl key. The exact location of the key may vary depending on the manufacturer and model of the keyboard.

Overview of the Fn key’s functions

When the Fn key is enabled, the function of some keys will change accordingly. The second assignments available on your keyboard vary depending on the manufacturer and model. The following is an overview of the most common functions:

Numeric keypad: A numeric keypad allows you to enter numbers quickly and easily. However, most small laptop keyboards do not have one. Using the Fn key, you can activate keys on the right side of the keyboard that have been assigned both letters and numbers and use this as a numeric keypad.

System settings: Using the second assignments of the F keys, you can access a variety of frequently used functions without having to modify the system settings menu. Frequently used functions are usually indicated by a symbol on the corresponding key. Available commands vary depending on your device’s manufacturer and model. The most common functions include the following:

  • Adjusting screen brightness
  • Turning the screen on and off
  • Adjusting the volume
  • Activating standby mode
  • Enabling and disabling the touchpad
  • Controlling external monitors
  • Turning the microphone on and off
  • Turning the camera on and off
  • Switching WLAN on and off

Navigation: If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, you can also use its second assignments to navigate through documents. The following are the functions indicated on the keys:

  • Home: Jump to the beginning of the document
  • End: Jump to the end of the document
  • PgUp or PgDn: Jump one page up or down in the document
  • ↑ or ↓: Jump one line up or down in the document
  • ← or →: Move one character to the left or right in the document

Enabling and disabling the Fn key

By combining the Fn key with other keys, you can access their additional functions. If you are planning on using the second assignments of keys for an extended period of time, it is recommended to enable the Fn key. This will eliminate the need to press multiple keys at the same time. This option comes in handy when you need to use the optional numeric keypad. For many laptop models, the F keys are enabled in the default settings. However, the second assignments of keys for common system settings are used far more frequently. It is also recommended that the Fn key be enabled in that case.

The exact procedure for enabling or disabling the Fn key will vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your keyboard or laptop. The following is a list of common keyboard shortcuts. You can easily figure out which combination enables or disables your Fn key via trial and error.

Key or key combination
[Num]
[Num] + [F11]
[Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Num]
[Fn] + [Num]
[Shift] + [Num]
[Shift] + [NumScroll]

If you have the [NumLock] key, you can use it to enable and disable the numeric keypad on your keyboard. If it is disabled, you will access the second assignments of the keys, even without using the Fn button. If your keyboard does not have the [NumLock] key, use the following shortcuts to enable or disable the Fn key.

Key or key combination Note
[Fn Lock]
[Fn Lock] + [Esc] Only works when there is a lock displayed on the Escape key
[Fn] + [F11]
[Fn] + [Insert]
[Insert] + [F11]
[Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Insert]
[Fn] + [Shift] Only works when a small Fn↓ is displayed on the Shift key. The keys must be pressed in this order

Did you accidentally enable the Fn key? This will become quickly apparent if you press keys and the desired result is not produced. To return to your normal keyboard layout, disable the Fn key using the keyboard shortcuts listed above.

Fn key: How to enable or disable the Fn button (2024)

FAQs

Fn key: How to enable or disable the Fn button? ›

You can simply look at the lower left side of the keyboard on the device and if "Fn Lock" is currently turned on you will see a green light on the "Fn" key. To turn this off press and hold the "Fn" key and press the "Esc" key at the top left of the keyboard.

How do I turn off the FN button? ›

To disable FN Lock, press the FN key, and the Caps Lock key at the same time again.

How do you enable the Fn key? ›

Press fn and the left shift key at the same time to enable fn (function) mode. When the fn key light is on, you must press the fn key and a function key to activate the default action.

How to unlock Fn? ›

Lock or Unlock the Function Key Using Your Keyboard

To lock the Fn key on these keyboards, press the Fn and Esc keys simultaneously. The lock icon should light up to indicate the Fn key is locked. To unlock it later, press the Fn and Esc keys together again.

How do I enable Fn keys without pressing Fn? ›

Use the Fn Lock feature to use function keys without the Fn Key. Find the Fn Lock key on your keyboard—it may say FnLk or have a lock icon. Hold down the Fn key and press Fn Lock. Release your fingers and use the function keys as normal.

Why is my Fn key disabled? ›

Most of the time, the Fn keys stopped working because someone accidentally pressed the Fn lock key. The Fn lock key also impacts other toggle keys such as Caps Lock or Num Lock so it's easy to find out if the Fn keys are locked. On your keyboard, look for an Fn, F lock, or F Mode key.

How to turn off fn lock Dell? ›

Press the Fn+Esc keys again to deactivate the function lock feature. The function keys return to the default actions.

How to reset Fn key? ›

Restart your computer and access the BIOS or UEFI settings by pressing a specific key during startup (e.g., F2, Del, or Esc). Navigate to the Keyboard or Function Key Behavior section and look for an option to change the Fn lock behaviour.

How do I know if my Fn key is enabled? ›

You can simply look at the lower left side of the keyboard on the device and if "Fn Lock" is currently turned on you will see a green light on the "Fn" key.

How do you reverse the Fn key? ›

It's typically Esc. If pressing the FN key activates the Fn functions, hold in FN and press Esc to reverse. If it's the opposite, where the Fn function is the default, simply press the Esc key and this will reverse. It may not be Esc though, it looks like a little padlock often with Fn in it somewhere.

How do I enable Fn on Windows 10? ›

Just press and hold the Fn key first and then press the FnLock or the padlock icon. This will activate the lock. To reverse it, just hold the Fn key again and then press FnLock or the padlock icon.

How do I turn on Fn Lock on my wireless keyboard? ›

However, if your keyboard does not have an F Lock key, you can use the **Fn key** instead. To lock the function keys on your Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard, you just have to press **Fn + Caps** for 5 seconds. This should enable the Fn lock and allow you to use the function keys without holding the Fn key.

How to make fn keys default? ›

In general, you can often change this setting right on the keyboard itself via the Fn Lock key or a hidden Fn Lock shortcut. On many laptops, it's available as an option in the BIOS or UEFI settings screen you can access during boot-up.

How do I enable or disable FN? ›

Press Fn + Esc to enable Fn Lock and disable the hotkey functionality. After enabling or disabling Hotkey Mode, use the hotkey as follows: Enabled: Use the hotkey function by pressing a single Fx key.

How do I reactivate my Fn key? ›

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.

How do I activate my Fn key? ›

Press fn and the left shift key at the same time to enable fn (function) mode. When the fn key light is on, you must press the fn key and a function key to activate the default action.

How do I get my computer out of Fn mode? ›

THE solution is: Fn + F2 - This toggles the FUNCTION On or Off.

How do I turn off the Fn key on my cherry keyboard? ›

For the FN lock, you can hit CTRL + FN to lock/unlock.

How do I turn off Fn performance mode? ›

Turning Off Performance Mode in Fortnite Made Easy

First off, launching Fortnite and heading to the game settings is your starting point. Look for the 'Video' tab. Here, you'll see 'Performance Mode' listed among the options. If it's on, simply click it off.

What happens when the Fn key is on? ›

The Fn key used with the F keys across the top of the keyboard, provides short cuts to performing actions, such as controlling the brightness of the screen, turning Bluetooth on/off, turning WI-Fi on/off.

References

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