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

How to resolve unexpected function F1-F12 or other special key behavior on a Microsoft keyboard? ›

F1-F12 keys may not work if your laptop has the Fn key enabled by default. Press the Fn and the desired F1-F12 keys to use their primary functions. Check if you can disable the default Fn key behavior in your laptop's settings.

How do I turn off F1-F12 hotkeys? ›

Once you press the Num Lock key, you can lift both fingers from the keyboard. If you had to press Fn to use the F1 – F12 function keys normally before, you should no longer have to do that now (and vice-versa). If this doesn't work, try pressing the Fn + Num Lock + Shift keys all at the same time.

What is the F1-F12 function on a keyboard? ›

What are the function keys used for?
  • F1 = Open Help.
  • F2 = Open Actions/Headings.
  • F3 = Open Help and Information.
  • F4 = Repeats Current Item.
  • F5 = Continuous Read.
  • F6 = Voice dictation.
  • F7/F8 = Decrease/Increase Voice Volume.
  • F9/F10 = Decrease/Increase Voice Speed.

How do I unlock F1 to F12 keys? ›

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 you reverse Fn key without pressing Fn to use F1 F12? ›

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.

How do I fix my function keys on my keyboard? ›

We recommend looking for an Fn Lock (F Lock) or Fn Mode (F Mode) key on your keyboard. If there is one, try pressing it, then check if the Fn keys are now working. On some keyboards, to enable or disable the Fn Lock, you need to simultaneously press Caps Lock and the Fn key.

How do I disable the F1 key on my keyboard? ›

cmd” script and select “Run as administrator“. When the “Windows protected your PC” window appears, select the “More info” link which will reveal the “Run anyway” button. After clicking the “Run anyway” button the script will execute and disable the F1 key. Try it out by visiting your desktop and pressing the F1 key.

How to turn Fn Lock off? ›

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

How do I disable F12? ›

Here is the way to disable F12 in firefox. Open Firefox developer then press F1 to open settings. Now uncheck Use the F12 key to open/close Developer option. After that we can open/close firefox developer with sh*tf+F12 and F12 key is released for other purposes.

What is Ctrl+Shift+F12 used for? ›

Ctrl+F12 Opens a file. Ctrl+Shift+F3 Creates names by using those of either row or column labels. Ctrl+Shift+F6 Moves to the previous worksheet window. Ctrl+Shift+F12 Prints the current worksheet.

What is the key starting with character F1 to F12? ›

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

What is F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, f9, F10, F11, F12 in? ›

The function keys or F-keys on a computer keyboard, labeled F1 through F12, are keys that have a special function defined by the operating system, or by a currently running program.

How do you unlock the function key on a Microsoft keyboard? ›

If your keyboard has an Fn lock key, you can try pressing Fn + Esc or the key with the lock icon to toggle the Fn lock. This should allow you to use the F keys without the Fn key. If your keyboard doesn't have an Fn lock key, you can explore changing the Fn key settings within Windows.

How do I activate F1 F12 key on HP? ›

Enable or disable fn (function) or action keys mode

Press the right or left arrow key to select the System Configuration menu. 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.

How do I get my F1 key? ›

Show the function keys when using Microsoft Windows

Press and hold the Fn (Function) key on your keyboard to see F1 through F12 in the Touch Bar.

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

Right-click the Start button and select "Mobility Center" To access it on Windows 11, 10, or 8.1. On Windows 7, press Windows Key + X. You'll see the option under "Fn Key Behavior." This option may also be available in a keyboard settings configuration tool installed by your computer manufacturer.

How do I turn off special function keys? ›

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 change the functionality of special keys on my keyboard? ›

To reassign a key

Select the Start button, and then select Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center. From the displayed list of key names, select the key that you want to reassign. In the command list of the key that you want to reassign, select a command.

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