Resolve unexpected Function (F1 - F12) or other special key behavior on a Microsoft keyboard (2024)

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Symptoms

When you press a function key on a Microsoft keyboard, the function key does not work as expected. Alternatively, certain keys do not work when you press them. These keys may include the following:

  • The NUM LOCK key

  • The INSERT key

  • The PRINT SCREEN key

  • The SCROLL LOCK key

  • The BREAK key

  • The F1 key through the F12 FUNCTION keys

NoteThis article only described and resoved the issue on a Microsoft keyboard which equipped with an F LOCK toggle key, issue with other types of keyborad may not applied to this article.

Resolve unexpected Function (F1 - F12) or other special key behavior on a Microsoft keyboard (1)

Cause

This behavior may occur if the keyboard is equipped with an F LOCK toggle key, and the F LOCK key has been turned on.

Depending on the keyboard model, the following keys may be alternate function keys:

The F LOCK key toggles the alternate function keys. An alternate function key is a key that has two possible commands depending on the F LOCK toggle key state.

Workaround

To work around this behavior, press the F LOCK key. The F LOCK key switches between the standard function key commands and the Microsoft keyboard enhanced command.

More Information

Alternate command keys give the keyboard additional functionality by providing two command modes for the top row of standard F LOCK keys.

The F LOCK key and the alternate command keys are available on certain keyboard models only, and the types of alternate commands that are available vary depending on the keyboard model.

The F LOCK key switches between the standard commands that are labeled on the front of the keys, such as F1 or INSERT, and the alternate commands that may or may not be labeled on the keys. When the F LOCK light is on, the F LOCK key is on and these keys perform their standard commands. When the F LOCK light is off, the alternate commands are enabled. You can choose the mode that you prefer to work in, or you can switch the F LOCK key on and off to access the commands that you use most frequently.

The F1 through F12 FUNCTION keys have special alternate commands. These keys are called enhanced function keys. Enhanced function keys provide quick access to frequently used commands that can increase your productivity. These commands are typically printed above or on the keys.

The following table specifies the default enhanced-function key assignments that are available for Microsoft keyboards. However, you can reassign many of the keys by using the Microsoft IntelliType Pro keyboard software. Keyboards differ in what additional keys they provide. For example some keyboards provide keys for such things as Calculator, Volume control, Internet Home page, Internet Search page, Mail, and so on.

Enhanced function key

What it does

Close

F6: Closes the document or the file in the active window.

Forward

F8: Forwards the e-mail in the active window.

Function Lock (F LOCK)

Switches between the standard function key commands (F LOCK light on) and the Microsoft keyboard enhanced commands (F LOCK light off). Leave it on or off, or alternate between modes for increased key press functionality.

Help

F1: Opens the Help system for the active window.

New

F4: Creates a new document in programs that support this command.

Office Home

Starts the Web browser and goes to the Microsoft Office Web site. (This is not available on all keyboards.)

Open

F5: Opens a document in programs that support this command.

Print

F12: Prints the file in the active window.

Redo

F3: Cancels the previous undo action.

Reply

F7: Replies to the e-mail in the active window.

Save

F11: Saves the file in the active window.

Send

F9: Sends the e-mail in the active window.

Spell

F10: Starts the spell checking program in the active document, if the document's program has this feature.

Task Pane

Shows or hides the Office task pane that was previously displayed. (This is not available on all keyboards.)

Undo

F2: Cancels the previous action.


To download the latest software for the keyboard, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/downloads

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Resolve unexpected Function (F1 - F12) or other special key behavior on a Microsoft keyboard (2024)

FAQs

Resolve unexpected Function (F1 - F12) or other special key behavior on a Microsoft keyboard? ›

Workaround. To work around this behavior, press the F LOCK

F LOCK
If your keyboard has an F Lock key, press it to toggle between the standard commands and alternate commands. When the F Lock light is Off, alternate functions work (Help, Undo, and so on). When the F Lock light is On, standard functions work (F1, F2, and so on).
https://support.microsoft.com › en-us › topic › how-do-i-use-t...
key. The F LOCK key switches between the standard function key commands and the Microsoft keyboard enhanced command.

How do I turn off F1-F12 hotkeys? ›

Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing a key like Esc, Del, F2, F10, or F12 during startup). Look for an option related to "Action Keys," "Hotkey Mode," or "Fn Key Lock." Toggle the setting to enable or disable the FN key behavior. Save changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI.

How do I enable F1-F12 keys in Windows 10? ›

When the feature is disabled, you will not have to press the FN key to use the F1 – F12 keys. Pressing the FN key along with an F1-F12 key will activate the action. For example, tapping FN + F10 toggles airplane mode, which is shown as an airplane on the MSI keyboard.

How do you enable the F keys on a Microsoft keyboard? ›

To lock and unlock the function keys on most Type Covers or keyboards, press the Fn key to lock the function keys. Press the Fn key again to unlock them.

How do I enable F1-F12 keys without Fn? ›

Press the up-arrow or down-arrow keys to select the Action Keys Mode option, and then press the Enter key to display the menu. Select the Enabled option to require only the F1 through F12 keys to use the action as indicated on the action key, without having to press the Fn key itself.

How do I turn off special function keys? ›

To enable FN Lock on the All in One Media Keyboard, press the FN key, and the Caps Lock key at the same time. To disable FN Lock, press the FN key, and the Caps Lock key at the same time again.

How do I get rid of the function key on my keyboard? ›

The laptop must have advanced BIOS options for the "Fn" key to be disabled.
  1. Turn on your computer. ...
  2. Use the right arrow to move to the "System Configuration" menu.
  3. Press the down arrow to navigate to the "Action Keys Mode" option.
  4. Press "Enter" to switch the settings to disabled.

How to reset a keyboard? ›

For all other keyboards:
  1. Unplug your keyboard.
  2. With the keyboard unplugged, hold down the ESC key.
  3. While holding down the ESC key, plug the keyboard back into your computer.
  4. After about 5 seconds, release the ESC key. You will see the keyboard lighting flash if the reset is successful.

Why are the F1 F12 keys not working Windows 10? ›

Make Sure the Fn Keys Are Not Locked

On your keyboard, look for an Fn, F lock, or F Mode key. Depending on your laptop, you should press for one time or press and hold for a few seconds. If this doesn't work, press the Fn and Esc keys at the same time. Then, try to use one of the Function keys.

What does the F Lock key look like on a keyboard? ›

How can I identify the F-lock key on my keyboard? The F-lock key is typically in the function key row at the top of the keyboard. It is often labelled as "F-lock," "F mode," or depicted by an icon representing the function keys. However, the specific placement and labelling can vary depending on the keyboard and model.

Is caps lock a special key? ›

The caps lock key was designed to make it easier to type uppercase letters without having to hold down the shift key for an extended period. It allows you to toggle between uppercase and lowercase modes.

What is the special key on a computer keyboard? ›

A special key, in the context of computing and technology, refers to a keyboard key that performs a specific function beyond the standard alphanumeric input. Examples of these include keys like Control (Ctrl), Alt, Shift, Function (Fn), Escape (Esc), and the Windows key on a Windows-based computer.

How do I use the F1 F12 function keys? ›

From F1 to F12: what are these keys that almost nobody uses on the computer for?
  1. F1. F1. Opens the help menu. ...
  2. F2. F2. Rename a file in Windows Explorer. ...
  3. F3. F3. Opens the search function. ...
  4. F4. Alt + F4. Closes the active window.
  5. F5. F5. Refresh the Internet browser or the. ...
  6. F6. Ctrl + Shift + F6. ...
  7. F7. F7. ...
  8. F8. F8.
Oct 19, 2022

How do I use F2 key without Fn key on HP laptop? ›

Press the up or down arrow key to select Action Keys Mode. Press the enter key to display the Enabled / Disabled options. Press the up or down arrow key to select one of the options. Enabled: Does not require pressing fn to use the actions printed on the function keys.

How do I disable F12 on my keyboard? ›

In Search settings, enter Developer Tools. By default, the Open the DevTools when the F12 key is pressed setting is toggled on. Choose Open the DevTools when the F12 key is pressed to toggle the setting to off. Select F12 to confirm that DevTools no longer open.

How do I change my F keys back to normal? ›

Way 1: Change Fn Key Settings via Windows Settings
  1. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Windows Mobility Center.
  2. In the new window, find the Fn key row section and expand the context menu of it.
  3. If you want to choose the F keys for basic functions, choose Functional key.
Oct 25, 2023

How to disable f1 key in BIOS? ›

Once you're on the system set up main menu screen, select system bios on the system bio screen, click miscellaneous settings, change the F one F two prompt on error to disabled. Click on the finish button, you'll receive this prompt, click on. OK. And then click on exit to allow your machine to reboot.

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