The function key fn (Function) on a laptop in combination with the f1 - f12 buttons activates a certain action: increase or decrease the screen brightness, sound volume, switch to standby mode, or lock the keyboard. This is not the whole list possible actions, which can not only simplify the workflow, but also interfere with the user. Key combination quick access for each individual device depends on the laptop model. The only thing in which there is no ultimate difference is the principle of their operation, activation and deactivation.
You don't need to have a great deal of programming knowledge to know how to use the fn button. It is enough to follow the instructions and follow the instructions in the given order:
After disabling the fn mode on a laptop, pressing the f1 - f12 keys will provoke the execution of the functions that were originally assigned to them. To access the multimedia settings, you should press and hold the fn combination with the desired f1 - f12 button.
In order for the fn button on the laptop to fulfill its intended purpose, you need to do all the above steps of the instructions, but only instead of the Disabled mode in the "Action Keys Mode" tab, activate Enabled.
Some laptop models have the Fn+NumLock hotkey combination. Pressing these buttons at the same time will deactivate Function, using them again will turn fn mode back on.
In the case when the methods we have described do not work, it is advisable to resort to downloading specially designed programs and installing certain utilities (drivers). For example, how to disable fn on a Samsung laptop will tell you software Easy Display Manager, which is freely available on the Internet. As a rule, it is also attached to installation disk included with laptop. For Sony computers Requires Setting Utility Reries, Sone Shared Library, or Vaio Event Service. The universal Magic Keyboard program is also suitable for many laptops.
#Fn Since standard pc keyboards have a strictly defined number of keys, there are special keys on keyboards (especially laptop ones) to expand functionality. fn key. For example, .
When you click on it, the rest of the buttons use the second values. For example, on a Samsung np530 laptop, the f2 key in combination with fn lowers the volume of the system speakers, although in normal mode f2 can be used as an auxiliary windows key, for example, to rename files and folders.
There is one interesting point - sometimes minor key values are swapped with basic i.e. the keyboard starts working in reverse:
In the case of the specified Samsung, it will look like f2 is now responsible for lowering the volume, and to rename Windows folder now you have to press fn+f2.
This is inconvenient, especially when you consider that the “right” and “left” arrows now turn into “End” and “Home”, for those who type a lot of text and are used to working not only with the mouse, this is inconvenient.
Generally since fn there may be a few awkward moments, let's figure it out:
Those. the above situation. Causes and solutions:
- On the keyboard, the "Fn lock" key is pressed(not to be confused with "f lock"), it changes the key values from primary to secondary. To stop it, just press it once.
- IN laptop BIOS the corresponding option is enabled. To fix this problem, look in the BIOS for settings related to such names as “Action keys mode” or “Behavior-Functions Key” or “hot key function” or something similar, depending on the laptop model. This value must be set to disabled. I admit that on some laptop models you need to change it to Enabled. It looks something like this:
Just disable this disgrace with the combination Fn + Nun lock (NumLk)
- Incorrectly installed (not installed at all) drivers to enable auxiliary keys. Such drivers are always available on the website of your laptop manufacturer. For some reason, they may not work correctly.
Op! And laptops are well repaired in Belgorod. scroll further.
This happens especially often if the laptop is designed for Windows 7, and you installed windows 8 on it. Reinstall the hotkey drivers ( hotkey).
Sometimes it just helps to remove them, then their drivers are replaced by standard ones. Windows drivers and some of the Fn keys won't work either.
The name of the drivers for "hot keys" is different for different laptop manufacturers:
hpHotkeyMonitor - HP
ATK-Asus
Launch Manager - Acer
Hotkey Utility - Sony Vaio
ATK Hotkey-Lenovo
Laptops have earned their popularity due to their portability. Active people who prefer a dynamic lifestyle appreciate the opportunity to use any free minute to good use. The Fn key is one of the ways to simplify the work with the system, optimize it for the user's personal needs, a way to quickly configure settings without unnecessary manipulation.
Let's start with the location of the key. By default, Fn is in the bottom corner next to the left Ctrl, which makes it possible to adjust settings with one hand. Rarely, on gaming laptops there is an arrangement in the lower right corner, which allows you to activate macros without looking up from the gameplay.
The name of the button is an abbreviation for the word Function, which means a function key that gives access to quick adjustment of functions and settings. Often the inscription "Fn" differs in color from the main font of the keyboard.
In the color of it, on the keys, most often a row of keys F1–F12, keys are applied:
These functions are activated after holding Fn. The list is optional and may vary depending on the brand of laptop.
Consider below what to do if the Fn button does not work and how to fix the problem yourself. First you need to establish the cause of the malfunction, and there are essentially two of them.
Moisture - the keyboard has been flooded or for a long time was in a humid environment.
Contamination - if the work surface is rarely cleaned, then the grooves of the buttons can become clogged with dust or larger particles of debris. With more severe pollution, the entire system can overheat, which leads to a variety of problems.
Photo: garbage collects between the buttons
A software malfunction is the absence of a driver or its damage, and we will talk about this below.
For the correct operation of the function key, the appropriate drivers must be installed. Before installing new drivers, you need to get rid of the old software and its parts. To do this, you can use the control panel or special programs to clean up system directories. 
Drivers can be installed from boot disk or download from the official website of the manufacturer. IN search line site, enter the exact name of the model and download all the proposed options for the archives, this is the driver and its updates.
Fn work is activated in the BIOS and enabling it is quite simple:
To verify the presence or absence of mechanical damage, the non-working key must be opened. If the keyboard is collapsible, pry with a thin screwdriver and carefully remove the key.
The internal mechanism consists of three parts connected by latches. The platform is the base, it must be cleaned of dust and inspected for the presence of condensate. The elevator and spring mechanism is the working part that needs to be inspected for cracks or deformations.
Photo: inspection of the elevator and spring mechanism
If no damage is found, and functionality is not restored after cleaning, most likely the tracks are out of order. Employees of the service center will be able to confirm damage of this nature.
Most laptops have a dedicated Fn key that, in combination with the keys on the top row of the keyboard (F1 - F12), usually performs laptop-specific actions (power on and disable wifi, changing the brightness of the screen and others), or vice versa - without pressing it, these actions are triggered, and with pressing - the functions of the keys F1-F12. A common problem for laptop owners, especially after a system update or manual Windows installation 10, 8 and Windows 7 - that the Fn key doesn't work.
This guide details common reasons why the Fn key may not work, as well as ways to fix this situation in Windows for common brands of laptops - Asus, HP, Acer, Lenovo, Dell and, most interestingly, Sony Vaio (if you some other brand, you can ask a question in the comments, I think I can help).
To begin with, about the main reasons why Fn may not function on the laptop keyboard. As a rule, a problem is encountered after installing Windows (or reinstalling), but not always - the same situation may occur after disabling programs at startup or after some BIOS settings (UEFI).
In the vast majority of cases, the situation with a non-working Fn is caused by the following reasons
Most often, point 1 is the cause, but then we will consider all the options for each of the above brands of laptops and possible scenarios for fixing the problem.
For the work of the Fn key on Asus laptops ATKPackage - ATKACPI driver and hotkey-related utilities, available for download on the Asus official website, is responsible. At the same time, in addition to the installed components, the hcontrol.exe utility should be in autoload (it is added to autoload automatically when ATKPackage is installed).
How to Download Fn Key and Function Key Drivers for Asus Laptop
After that, you may need to restart the laptop and, if everything went well, you will see that the Fn key on your laptop is working. If something went wrong, below is a section about common problems when fixing non-working function keys.
For full operation of the Fn key and related function keys in the top row on HP Pavilion and other HP laptops, the following components are required from the official site
At the same time, for specific model some of specified points may be missing.
To download the necessary software for your HP laptop, search the Internet for "Your_laptop_model support" - usually the first result is the official page on support.hp.com for your laptop model, where in the "Software and Drivers" section, just click "Go" and then select the version operating system(if yours is not in the list, choose the closest one in chronology, the bit depth must match) and download the necessary drivers.
Additionally: in the BIOS on Asus laptops, there may be an item to change the behavior of the Fn key. Located in the “System Configuration” section, the Action Keys Mode item - if Disabled, then the function keys work only with Fn pressed, if Enabled, then without pressing (but to use F1-F12, you need to press Fn).
The functionality of the Fn key is obvious to many. In combination with this button, quick action many laptop computers, including on Samsung laptops. By holding Fn with shortcut keys, you can turn adapters on and off wireless network, touchpad, adjust many settings, such as screen brightness or sound volume, and switch the device to another operating mode. Disabling this key or, conversely, constantly turning it on can obviously interfere with working with a laptop. In this article, we will tell you how to enable or disable this key.
If your laptop needs a quality repair using only original parts, such as a partial or complete replacement of the keyboard, contact the official Samsung website.
The easiest way to activate or deactivate the Fn key is to press it simultaneously with the NumLock key.
You can enable the Fn key in the BIOS settings. How to enter BIOS on Samsung laptops, we wrote in an article earlier. In the system menu, go to the "SystemConfiguration" section and opposite the "Action Keys Mode" line, set the value to "Enabled", which means enable. Next, save the changes and restart the laptop.
If the method above did not help, let's try to check the keyboard driver. To do this, go to the "Device Manager", then in the "Keyboard Properties" select "Uninstall driver". Next, download the necessary software on the official website and reboot the laptop. After installation, test the function of the Fn key.
To activate the Fn key you need to download special program settings. In order to install it, you must first download the Samsung Update utility, which allows you to quickly find the software and firmware you need. The name of the program and its version depend on the model of your laptop.
If none of the methods helped, just try cleaning the key. Sometimes a banal clogging can cause any key to not function. If the key is damaged, then you can replace it yourself or contact experienced craftsmen at the service center.
