How to Lock and Unlock the Function (Fn) Keys in Windows

Use for standard or multimedia tasks

Microsoft Windows function keys (the F1 to F12 keys in the top row of your keyboard) can perform multiple tasks, depending on how you use those keys. You can lock or unlock these keys to make them do various tasks. We’ll show you how to do just that in Windows 10 and 11.

By default, your keyboard’s function keys perform the tasks printed on them. For example, the F2 on most keyboards decreases the volume level from your speakers. You can make these keys perform the tasks assigned to F1, F2, and so on, by locking and unlocking them.

Why Lock or Unlock Your Windows Function Keys?

Whether tokeep your Fn keys locked or unlockeddepends on what features you prefer to use. If you use the keys’ printed functions more than the actual F1 to F12 features, keeping the keys unlocked is a good idea. If you tend to use the F1 to F12 features more often, lock your function keys so you can use those features with a single keystroke.

You can alternate between function key usage by pressing and holding downthe Fn key on your keyboardand then pressing a function key.

Use the Fn Key to Lock or Unlock Function Buttons

One way to lock or unlock your function keys is to use your keyboard’s Fn button. Most keyboards have this button, and it allows you to change your function keys’ default behavior.

For example, you can lock your function keys, so the standard F1 to F12 features work by pressing theFn+Escbuttons at the same time. YourFnkey’s light will turn on, indicating your Fn lock is applied. You canfix the Esc key if it’s not working.

If you’d like to use the function keys’ printed features, unlock your keys by pressingFn+Escat the same time. The padlock light will turn off, indicating the keys are unlocked.

Lock or Unlock the Function Keys With Windows Mobility Center

Windows Mobility Center is a built-in Windows utility you can use to perform basic tasks on your PC. This tool can change your screen’s brightness, mute or unmute your sounds, and even lock or unlock your function keys.

You can use this tool to make your function keys perform the standard F1 to F12 tasks or the tasks printed on the keys. Note that not all the PCs offer the function key option in Windows Mobility Center. If this is the case with you, use an alternate method to change these keys’ behavior on your computer.

Use Windows BIOS/UEFI to Change the Function Keys’ Behavior on Your Laptops or Desktops

You can use Windows’ BIOS/UEFI interface to decide what your function keys do. You might want to use this method if your keyboard doesn’t have an Fn key and you can’t access the function key feature in Windows Mobility Center.

This BIOS/UEFI method lets you quickly and easily change whether your keys perform the printed tasks or the standard operations.

The first step is toaccess the BIOS/UEFI screen on your Windows system. Follow the steps for your Windows version below to get to that screen on your PC.

On Windows 11

On Windows 10

Your function keys will now work as you specified in your BIOS/UEFI.

Make Function Keys Perform Standard or Multimedia Functions on Your PC

Windows gives you the flexibility to choose what you’d like your keyboard’s function keys to do. You can make them perform the standard operations, like opening an app’s help window with F1, or make them run multimedia tasks, like reducing or increasing your volume levels.

You canlock or unlock your Fn keysusing the methods outlined above, and then use your keys’ default functions on your Dell laptops, Lenovo machines, or any other Windows-based computers. Enjoy!

Mahesh has been obsessed with technology since he got his first gadget a decade or so ago. Over the last few years, he’s written a number of tech articles on various online publications including but not limited to MakeTechEasier and Android AppStorm.Read Mahesh’s Full Bio

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How to Lock and Unlock the Function (Fn) Keys in Windows#

Why Lock or Unlock Your Windows Function Keys?#

Use the Fn Key to Lock or Unlock Function Buttons#

Lock or Unlock the Function Keys With Windows Mobility Center#

Use Windows BIOS/UEFI to Change the Function Keys’ Behavior on Your Laptops or Desktops#

Make Function Keys Perform Standard or Multimedia Functions on Your PC#

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