The fn button does not work on a Lenovo laptop

To save space and provide quick access to all laptop functions, manufacturers use standard combinations of the FN function key and the top row F1-F12. As an example on a Lenovo laptop, FN + F9 turns off the sound, and FN + F6 turns off the touchpad touchpad.

The keyboard shortcut has become a standard feature for all laptop manufacturers, so today we will tell you about software or mechanical problems that lead to the inability to use this option.

Why doesn't the FN button on the keyboard work?

If we exclude the possibility that the FN button does not work due to a mechanical failure, we can assume two options - problems with Windows or problems with the BIOS. The most common causes of failure are the following:

There are no specialized laptop drivers installed on the computer, some of which are responsible for the operation of the function key. Most often, this problem is faced by users who have reinstalled Windows and installed drivers from a set that contains software for various hardware. Also, this problem can arise if you install drivers from a disk, but, for example, they partially or completely do not support the operating system on which they were installed (most often this is Windows 10);
For the FN key to work on a computer, you need to install specialized software from the laptop developers, which must constantly work in the background. If this software is not running, the FN button will not perform its assigned functions;
Changes were made to the BIOS to disable the FN button. It is worth noting that the ability to disable the FN key through the BIOS is not present on all laptops.

There are a huge number of laptops on the market from various manufacturers. Methods for solving the problem with the FN key not working will differ for different laptops. Below in the article we will provide basic action algorithms that will help correct the situation on laptops of popular brands.

Results

As you can see, the Fn button allows you to quickly enable/disable various functions, which means making life much easier, but on some laptops it may not initially function. You can enable the key using several methods: delve into the BIOS settings, install a special utility, clean the keyboard, perform the Fn+NumLock combination, or install OS 64x. We are confident that one of the methods presented here will help enable the coveted key. Write which method was most effective in solving your problem.

FN button does not work on Lenovo laptop

One of the most popular laptop brands in the world is Lenovo. If the FN key does not work on one of the computer models of this brand, you need to go to the official website of the developers in the drivers section and download the necessary software. Since Lenovo produces a huge number of products and their website is quite complex, we recommend entering the query “your laptop model + drivers” into the search engine. One of the first will be a link to the official Lenovo resource in the section with drivers.

It is worth noting one feature of Lenovo drivers. There are a large number of them on the company’s website, but it is not always clear which set should be downloaded for a specific laptop model. Let's take a short tour of the available sets:

Hotkey Features Integration for Windows 10. A list of all laptop models that are compatible with this set of drivers can be seen on this page;
Lenovo Energy Management. This set is designed for most modern Lenovo laptops;
Lenovo OnScreen Display Utility. A utility responsible for the operation of function keys. It is part of Hotkey Features Integration, but can be downloaded separately if necessary.

It is worth noting that owners of Lenovo laptops often complain about a problem when only the key combinations responsible for turning Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on/off do not work. In such a situation, you need to separately download drivers for wireless networks, which can also be found on the official Lenovo website.

If the problem is not related to Windows and operating system drivers, then you need to check the BIOS settings. Depending on the laptop model, you can find the “HotKey Mode” or “Fn and Ctrl Key Swap” options in the BIOS.

What do people write?

Here is one person who writes that Hotkey Features Integration may have a problem:

It’s possible that they’ve already fixed it, but I wrote you a note, you never know

There is an opinion that in addition to this program, you also need to install the Power Manager driver, here’s someone who wrote about it:

Well, one more message, just a confirmation of why the Hotkey Features Integration program is needed:

So, this program may be suitable not only for laptops... but maybe also for tablets? There are Lenovo tablets on Windows... well, that's true... just thinking out loud...

I found a picture, it shows that during installation you may be asked to tick the components that you want to install:

There are only three components in the picture above - Lenovo Auto Scroll Utility, Lenovo Patch Utility, On Screen Display.. should I install them all? Honestly I do not know. But I would install everything, and then I would delete those that are not needed. But is it possible to remove components later? I checked and it turns out that it is possible:

And one more confirmation picture:

Although everything here is in Chinese, I know that this is the Programs and Features window, from where you can remove certain programs. And we see here - there are components here, which means they can be removed later. Phew, okay, we figured it out

Here I found another picture - this is the program installer, and here we see there are already four points:

What conclusion do we draw? The number of items and the items themselves may be different and it depends on the model of laptop or tablet

FN button does not work on HP laptop

To find drivers for a specific HP laptop model, you need to do the following:

Write in the search engine “Your laptop model + support”;
Go to the official HP website and click “Go” in the “Software and Drivers” section;
Next, you need to select the operating system version;
After this, a list of available drivers will open. For the FN key to work on an HP laptop, you need to install drivers:
HP On-Screen Display (section: “Software - Solutions”);
Program for quick launch of HP (HP Quick Launch) (section: “Software - solutions”);
HP Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) (section: “Utility – Tools”).

After installing all the required applications, restart your computer and check if the FN key works properly.

It is worth noting that the BIOS in HP laptops provides the ability to configure the FN key. The user can set the option that the FN button will always be pressed, that is, the F1-F12 keys will work if you press FN, and the function buttons without pressing FN. This is configured in the “System Configuration” section with the “Action Keys Mode” item.

Keyboard shortcut

Changing settings in BIOS

Changing the priority of the Fn button using the BIOS is described in the following video:

You can switch the mode of using the F row from multimedia to functional and leave the Fn button working using the BIOS. You need to change the appropriate settings there.

Today, on almost any laptop, you can change modes only there. Moreover, by default, the new computer uses multimedia mode, which allows the user to adjust the brightness and volume, control the rewind of songs and perform other operations.

For Lenovo models, just follow a few steps:

Go to BIOS after turning on the laptop. To do this, press F8, ESC or another key (depending on the model).
Using the arrows on your keyboard, go to the “System Configuration” section.
Change the “Action Keys Mode” option to “Disabled” or “Enabled”.

Exit BIOS and save changes.

After restarting the computer, if Action Keys Mode is set to Disabled, the multimedia mode in row F will be disabled, and the Fn button can be assigned to perform another operation in the operating system. Enabled will enable the Fn button on a Lenovo laptop and return the ability to work in multimedia mode.

FN button not working on Dell laptop

If a Dell laptop user encounters a problem with the FN key not working, he also needs to install a set of drivers on which the function key depends. You will need to download and install the following applications from the official Dell website: Dell Foundation Services – Application, Dell QuickSet Application and Dell Power Manager Lite Application.

Please note: If the FN key not working issue in question is on a laptop running one of the older Windows operating systems (such as Vista or XP), then you will also need to download and install the Dell Function Keys app.

All of the drivers listed above must be downloaded for a specific laptop model in the correct version of the operating system. To do this you will need:

Go to the official Dell website and select your computer model. You can do this in various ways: use an online utility, enter the service tag or other product identifier, or find the laptop in the list;
Next, in the left menu, click on the “Drivers and downloads” section and select the version of the operating system for which drivers will be downloaded;
Next, you need to find the ones you need in the list of drivers and applications, download them and install them.

Problems with the FN key on Dell laptops can also occur due to incorrect BIOS settings. The situation here is similar to HP laptops, that is, you can change, you need to press the FN key to use F1-F12 or multimedia buttons. This setting is located in the “Advanced” section of the BIOS and is called “Function key Behavior”.

Mechanical damage to the keyboard

In addition to software malfunctions, the keyboard can become unusable due to a long period of use, damage to the keys, or a common option is an overturned cup of tea or coffee. If you don’t want to understand how the laptop parts are secured, then simply take it to the service center, but if you want to fix the computer yourself, then we are happy to announce that replacing the keyboard will only take a few minutes. First of all, buy a keyboard that matches your laptop. To do this, you only need to know the manufacturer and model. After purchase, follow these steps:

Prepare a thin, long screwdriver.
Turn the laptop over and find the keyboard mounting holes on the back cover of the case. They are marked with a keyboard icon or letters.
Remove the screws.
Carefully detach the keyboard from the case; in addition to the screws, it is held in place by plastic latches. Lift the top of the keyboard and pull it towards you. Do everything carefully without damaging the cable.
Disconnect the cable on the laptop board, pull up the fastening bar and pull it out.
Insert the new keyboard cable and put everything back together.

These are universal actions suitable for most laptop and ultrabook models. Some models have specific fastenings; for example, in modern ultrabooks the keyboard is held on by 4 or 6 latches, so replacement must be carried out as carefully as possible. If you don’t know how to disassemble your specific computer model, you can find detailed information on disassembling any laptop on the Internet.

The Fn key does not work on a laptop - what to do?

01/30/2017 windows | for beginners | laptops

Most laptops have a separate Fn key, which, in combination with the keys in the top row of the keyboard (F1 - F12), usually performs laptop-specific actions (turning Wi-Fi on and off, changing screen brightness, etc.), or, conversely, without it Pressing triggers these actions, and pressing triggers the functions of the F1-F12 keys. A common problem for laptop owners, especially after updating the system or manually installing Windows 10, 8 and Windows 7, is that the Fn key does not work.

This instruction details the common reasons why the Fn key may not work, as well as ways to fix this situation in Windows OS for common brands of laptops - Asus, HP, Acer, Lenovo, Dell and, most interestingly, Sony Vaio (if you have some other brand, you can comment, I think I can help). May also be useful: Wi-Fi on laptop does not work.

The main reasons why the Fn key does not work
Asus
HP
Acer
Lenovo
Dell
Sony Vaio
Possible problems and solutions

Disable in Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time and the Task Manager window will appear

Next, visually find the line Synaptics or ETD control center (for Asus laptops)

Select the process, right-click on it and click on the “End task” tab. After this, the touchpad will stop working until you reboot.

Reasons why the Fn key does not work on a laptop

To begin with, let’s talk about the main reasons why Fn may not function on a laptop keyboard. As a rule, the problem is encountered after installing Windows (or reinstalling), but not always - the same situation can arise after disabling programs in startup or after some BIOS (UEFI) settings.

In the vast majority of cases, the situation with Fn not working is caused by the following reasons

Specific drivers and software from the laptop manufacturer are not installed for the function keys to work - especially if you reinstalled Windows and then used a driver pack to install the drivers. It is also possible that drivers are available, for example, only for Windows 7, and you installed Windows 10 (possible solutions will be described in the problem solving section).
The Fn key requires the manufacturer's utility process to be running, but this program has been removed from Windows startup.
The behavior of the Fn key has been changed in the BIOS (UEFI) of the laptop - some laptops allow you to change the Fn settings in the BIOS, and they may also change when resetting the BIOS.

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.

We use a third-party program

Windows 10 already has a built-in driver for touchpad control from Synaptics. If it is installed, then in the tray, in the lower right corner near the clock there will be a Touchpad icon. When you right-click on it, the program settings will appear, among which there is usually a disable option.

There are also utilities that can be used to block the operation of the touch panel.

One such utility is TouchPad Blocker. It is free and has many useful features for working with the touchpad ⇒

Disabling for a while
Disable multi-touch and scrolling
Selecting a key combination to deactivate and activate the device.

TouchPad Blocker Settings

Automatically run program on startup – automatic start of the program upon login. Check the box and the utility will start working immediately after OS Windows starts
Show system tray notification – enable or disable notifications in the system tray
Block accidental taps and clicks – blocking accidental taps. Convenient when entering text on the keyboard. Here you need to set the time for which the touchpad turns off after pressing any key
Also block move and wheel events – block page scrolling
Beep when click is blocked – sound notification when the touchpad is blocked
Turn blocker On and Off – setting up hot keys to turn the program on and off.

You can configure that when you connect a mouse, the touchpad will automatically turn off.

Fn key on Asus laptop

The Fn key on Asus laptops is controlled by a set of software and drivers ATKPackage - ATKACPI driver and hotkey-related utilities, available for download on the official Asus website. In this case, in addition to the installed components, the startup must contain the hcontrol.exe utility (it is added to startup automatically when installing ATKPackage).

How to download Fn key and function key drivers for Asus laptop

In an Internet search (I recommend Google), enter “your_laptop_model support” - usually the first result is the official driver download page for your model on asus.com
Select the desired OS. If the version of Windows you need is not listed, select the closest one that is available; it is very important that the bitness (32 or 64 bit) matches the version of Windows that you have installed, see How to find out the bitness of Windows (article about Windows 10, but will also work for previous versions of the OS).
Optional, but may increase the likelihood of success of step 4 - download and install drivers from the “Chipset” section.
In the ATK section, download ATKPackage and install it.

After this, you may need to restart your laptop and, if everything went well, you will see that the Fn key on your laptop works. If something goes wrong, below is a section about typical problems when fixing broken function keys.

Reasons for Fn and F1÷F12 not working

Let me remind you that in most cases, in order for the function keys to perform an alternative function (reduce the same brightness), you must press them simultaneously with the Fn . For example, in order to turn Wi-Fi on/off, you need to press the Fn+F2 combination (this is just an example! Each laptop has its own combinations, look carefully at the pictures on the keys).

Pressing Fn+F2 simultaneously turns Wi-Fi on or off // as an example!

1) Is Fn turned on? Is there an alternative button on the keyboard?

Some types of keyboards have additional F Lock or F Mode . They allow you to block (disable) function keys. Take a closer look - do you have them?

F Lock key (most often found on classic keyboards, not laptops)

I also note that in order to use the Fn button, on some laptops you need to press the Fn+Esc (see screenshot below - a small padlock should be drawn on the key). By the way, instead of Fn+Esc, the combination Fn+NumLock can be used.

Fn+Esc - change the Fn operating mode

2) BIOS settings (Hotkey Modes and analogues)

If you don’t know what BIOS is and how to enter it, I recommend reading this article: https://ocomp.info/nastroyka-bios-noutbuka-v-kartinkah.html

In some laptops (for example, Dell Inspiron, Lenovo ThinkPad, etc.) in the BIOS you can set the operating mode of the function keys (that is, they can act in a classic role, or without pressing Fn they can immediately perform their second function: turn down the volume , enable/disable the touchpad, etc.).

Most often, to enter the BIOS, you need to restart the laptop, and when loading, immediately press the F2 or Delete keys (the buttons may be different, depending on the device model).

These modes are called: Hotkey Mode, Action Keys Mode (and other derivatives). To change their operating mode, you need to go to the BIOS Configuration section and change the mode from Enabled to Disabled (or vice versa).

Hotkey Mode - changed operating mode of the F1-F12 keys

3) Lack of drivers and special software from the manufacturer

When drivers are installed automatically along with Windows, or various kits/packs are used (for example, Driver Pack Solution), the system often does not have special software from the laptop manufacturer. As a result, some keys may not work (including function keys).

Below I will look at an example of updating such drivers using ASUS as an example (if you have an excellent brand of laptop, say HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo - all the steps will be similar, only the official website address will be different).

ASUS

Go to the official website: https://www.asus.com/ru/support/
Enter your laptop model and click the search button (for help: how to find out your laptop model);

Search by product database

Loading the necessary drivers

In general, to summarize: you just need to update the drivers by downloading them from the website of your laptop manufacturer. Moreover, this needs to be done for the specific version of Windows that you are currently using.

If there are no drivers for your version of Windows on the laptop manufacturer’s website, then this is a serious reason to think about switching to another version of the OS (it is quite possible that because of this, some of the functionality, including function keys, does not work).

Perhaps someone will find this article useful on how to install drivers on a laptop or PC (various options are considered) - https://ocomp.info/kak-ustanovit-drayvera-na-kompyuter-noutbuk.html

4) Problem with the keyboard itself

If you dropped or spilled liquid on your laptop, it is quite possible that the key does not work due to a physical malfunction of the keyboard.

Pay attention to whether the key responds at least sometimes (maybe try pressing it a little harder). If there is a problem with the tracks under the key, then pressing harder often works (for example, the tracks may oxidize after being filled, or behave this way due to wear).

What can be done:

replace the keyboard on the laptop with a new one (I recommend taking it to a service center for diagnostics, as it would be a good idea to check if there are any other problems);
connect an external keyboard to the USB port and use it (isn’t it a temporary option?);
reassign one key to another (there are special utilities for this on the Internet);
use the on-screen keyboard. To access it, go to: Control Panel Accessibility Center Accessibility Center

HP laptops

For full operation of the Fn key and associated function keys in the top row on HP Pavilion and other HP laptops, the following components are required from the official website

HP Software Framework, HP On-Screen Display, and HP Quick Launch from the Software Solutions section.
HP Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) support tools from the Utility - Tools section.

However, for a specific model, some of these items may not be available.

To download the necessary software for an 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 of the operating system (if yours is not in the list, choose the closest one in chronology, the bit depth must be the same) and download the necessary drivers.

Additionally: in the BIOS on HP laptops there may be an option 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 when Fn is pressed, if Enabled, then without pressing (but to use F1-F12 you need to press Fn).

Lenovo

Different sets of software for the Fn keys are available for different models and generations of Lenovo laptops. In my opinion, the easiest way, if the Fn key does not work on Lenovo, is to do this: enter “Your_laptop_model + support” in the search engine, go to the official support page (usually the first one in the search results), in the “Top Downloads” section, click “View” all" (view all) and check which of the list below is available for download and installation on your laptop for the desired version of Windows.

Hotkey Features Integration for Windows 10 (32-bit, 64-bit), 8.1 (64-bit), 8 (64-bit), 7 (32-bit, 64-bit) - https://support.lenovo.com /ru/en/downloads/ds031814 (only for supported laptops, list at the bottom of the specified page).
Lenovo Energy Management (Power Management) - for most modern laptops
Lenovo OnScreen Display Utility
Advanced Configuration and Power Management Interface (ACPI) Driver
If only the Fn+F5, Fn+F7 combinations do not work, try additionally installing the official Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers from the Lenovo website.

Additional information: on some Lenovo laptops, the Fn+Esc combination switches the operating mode of the Fn key; this option is also present in the BIOS - the HotKey Mode item in the Configuration section. ThinkPad laptops may also have a BIOS option “Fn and Ctrl Key Swap”, which swaps the Fn and Ctrl keys.

Uninstall or disable in Device Manager

In the search bar