How to Enable or Disable Function Keys in Windows 10/11

How to Enable or Disable Function Keys in Windows 10/11

Modern laptop and desktop keyboards have a multi-purpose set of keys in the “function” row. These keys can perform special actions related to the audio volume, playback, and hardware features. They can also function as the classic F1-F12 keys — but not at the same time.

These keys will often perform special actions by default, but you may want to use them as standard F-keys — for example, for PC gaming. Rather than holding down the Fn key every time you press a key, you can choose what they do by default.

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This tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops, and tablets running the Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems (Home, Professional, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufactures, like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Huawei and Samsung.

[TheScorched]

Agh nothing works. fn escape, fn caps lock escape, fn tab, and like 20 other videos i've looked at.

[lilaclupin]

Oh my gosh, I wanted to lock the F1 key because it puts my laptop into sleep mode and I keep hitting it on accident, but somehow ended up locking F4 and couldn't turn my brightness up anymore. Fn + Capslock did the trick!! Thank you so much!

[OperationNonsense]

my F1-12 keys are functioning properly, and that's the problem, i want them to NOT work when pressed.

[esiledoodles]

I feel like im dumb but i havent been able to switch the fn keys back since i somehow accidently switched it. I've watched so many videos of how to fix this but its the same keys but they haven't done anything. If i ever want to actually use the keys i have to hold shift and fix my sound, fix mylights, and etc and its getting super annoying. Is there anywhere else i can fix this?

[megansizemore]

I used fn+esc and fn+caps lock several times and it did nothing. I don't know why my function keys keep going to weird shortcuts instead of their assigned functions 😕

[ochukoatenaga]

Amazing. Been looking for this solution for days.

Thank you very much

[asaadgan]

dude u dont understand how happy i am ive been trying to yse my f keys for so long and i cant get it to work for some reason i went on many guides and many articles but nothing helped i said to myself thats it there is no solution but it was that simple thanks you man

[shon.parale]

Very helpful and straightforward. Deserves the like

[Universe_YT]

The problem is, when I use the f1-12 keys, I have to hold down Fn before using the keys so please somebody help me fix it because I have tried Fn + Esc, Fn + Num Lk, Fn + Ctrl, Fn + ⬇️ and more, and none of them have worked

[paragshah]

there is a lock symbol on my hp keyboard on shift key. but how to lock it? i tried with fun+shift key and many more options. how much time required to press this both keys together? means 10 seconds or more? or need to use different combination with shift key. please suggest.

[CMO-jozv]

My function keys are working properly but that is the problem. I don't want them to do what they're doing. They're not allowing me to access the features and programs that I want to access. I normally need to press f3 but instead it just changes the screen brightness. I don't want it to change the screen brightness. I want it to open the information GUI

[SilentSean]

hello I'm trying to Fn my max fan button but it isn't work can you help please

[damiannola]

Thnku - had come across the esc and fn key solution before with no joy - but the caps lock fn worked an absolute treat!

[contrepois]

Holding down the fn key and then pressing shift worked for me. This unlocked/locked the function keys.

[TuberKMT]

AH! Thank you! Function keys weren't working in my apps because WINDOWS had them hijacked. Big help! Thanks!

[hyk]

Take your well deserved like my good man. Really had no idea why my functions keys were not working in-game and doing all these wierd stuff

[Cows]

idk why but neither of the two options presented work properly for me, i have a dell 11 btw

Edit: after hearing the guy say it, its like he willed it into existance, the first tip worked! im genuinely suprised now lol

[jasmineg]

i love u you saved me hours i been on this since yesterday

[garfieldlover]

it did not work, can you help me with my issue?
so i got a keychron K1 recently, and i am on windows 11. since then, my function keys don't work for gaming. they toggle brightness, volume and other things. i would really like their gaming functionality back.

[animest]

Thanks. Simple yet worked with the first tip.