How to Disable the Function Key on a Dell Laptop (2024)

> Microsoft

This article provides instructions for how to disable the function key on a Dell laptop.

How Do I Lock and Unlock the Fn Key?

Dell laptop keyboards with a Function key give you two sets of commands. You can use the top row as multimedia keys to toggle different PC settings or use them as standard function keys (F1–F12). But they cannot do both at the same time. If you want to use the F1-F12 keys for their secondary functions of controlling multimedia or your screen settings, use the steps here to disable them on the laptop.

The behavior of the Functions keys can be controlled by Fn Lock Options found within the BIOS or UEFI settings.

1. To enter UEFI, press F2 when the Dell logo appears. Press every few seconds until the message Preparing to enter Setup appears.

2. On the UEFI Settings screen, locate POST Behavior.

   If you don't see this option, look instead for Keyboard.

3. Press + next to POST Behavior, then select Fn Lock Options.

   

4. The Fn Lock is enabled by default. On the right, select the check box for Fn Lock if it’s unchecked.

5. The Fn Lock has two options which are self-explanatory:

   • Lock Mode Disable/Standard: The F1-12 Keys behave as function keys. You must hold down the Function key and any of the F1-F12 keys to trigger a command.
   • Lock Mode Enable/Secondary: The F1-12 Keys control the secondary functions.

How Do I Disable the Fn Key?

There is no dedicated Fn Lock key on most Dell laptops to disable the F1 to F12 Function keys.

The Function Lock is enabled/disabled by pressing the Fn key (on the bottom row next to the Windows button) and the Esc key (on the top row next to the Function keys) together like a toggle switch.

As you can see, on the Dell XPS 13, the Esc key has a tiny lock icon to indicate the Fn Lock.

What Does Function Lock Do?

When Function Lock is on, you don’t have to hold down the Function key to trigger the action.

The Function keys have standard functions associated with them. For instance, press the F5 key in Chrome, and the active web page will refresh. Increasing the playback volume could be the secondary function of the F5 key, as indicated by a small icon below the F5 label.

Enabling Fn Lock allows you to execute any standard functions tied to the F1 through F12 keys without pressing the Fn key each time. Toggle off the Function Lock, and the F1-F12 keys will be disabled. For instance, F5 would then increase the media playback volume.

When Fn Lock is disabled, you must press the Function key to use the F1 to F12 keys for their standard function. For instance, Fn+F5 would refresh the browser page.

Disable Function Lock and the F1-F12 keys if you want to use the top row of the keyboard for one-tap media control. To play games which use the F1-F12 keys, enable the Function Lock again. The toggle feature makes it easy to swap the roles.