Fn key: How to enable or disable the Fn button

Generally, most laptop users will be familiar with the Fn key because it is primarily found on smaller keyboards. Func­tion­ing as a space-saving option on smaller devices, the key is used in com­bin­a­tion with others to access their al­tern­at­ive as­sign­ments. By having multiple as­sign­ments for single keys, laptop makers can design devices that are more compact without losing common functions. Here, you’ll learn which commands can be performed using the Fn key and how to enable and disable the key.

The function key can be iden­ti­fied by the ab­bre­vi­ation “Fn” on computer keyboards. Its function is similar to that of the Shift key and Alt Gr key which provide access to second and third as­sign­ments on keyboards. The Fn key also provides access to second as­sign­ments, but it is mainly found on laptop keyboards. Using multiple as­sign­ments for single keys allows numerous functions to be available without the need for ad­di­tion­al physical keys.

When the Fn key is enabled, the function of some keys will change ac­cord­ingly. The second as­sign­ments available on your keyboard vary depending on the man­u­fac­turer and model. The following is an overview of the most common functions:

Numeric keypad: A numeric keypad allows you to enter numbers quickly and easily. However, most small laptop keyboards do not have one. Using the Fn key, you can activate keys on the right side of the keyboard that have been assigned both letters and numbers and use this as a numeric keypad.

System settings: Using the second as­sign­ments of the F keys, you can access a variety of fre­quently used functions without having to modify the system settings menu. Fre­quently used functions are usually indicated by a symbol on the cor­res­pond­ing key. Available commands vary depending on your device’s man­u­fac­turer and model. The most common functions include the following:

• Adjusting screen bright­ness
• Turning the screen on and off
• Adjusting the volume
• Ac­tiv­at­ing standby mode
• Enabling and disabling the touchpad
• Con­trolling external monitors
• Turning the mi­cro­phone on and off
• Turning the camera on and off
• Switching WLAN on and off

Nav­ig­a­tion: If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, you can also use its second as­sign­ments to navigate through documents. The following are the functions indicated on the keys:

• Home: Jump to the beginning of the document
• End: Jump to the end of the document
• PgUp or PgDn: Jump one page up or down in the document
• ↑ or ↓: Jump one line up or down in the document
• ← or →: Move one character to the left or right in the document

By combining the Fn key with other keys, you can access their ad­di­tion­al functions. If you are planning on using the second as­sign­ments of keys for an extended period of time, it is re­com­men­ded to enable the Fn key. This will eliminate the need to press multiple keys at the same time. This option comes in handy when you need to use the optional numeric keypad. For many laptop models, the F keys are enabled in the default settings. However, the second as­sign­ments of keys for common system settings are used far more fre­quently. It is also re­com­men­ded that the Fn key be enabled in that case.

The exact procedure for enabling or disabling the Fn key will vary depending on the man­u­fac­turer and model of your keyboard or laptop. The following is a list of common keyboard shortcuts. You can easily figure out which com­bin­a­tion enables or disables your Fn key via trial and error.

If you have the [NumLock] key, you can use it to enable and disable the numeric keypad on your keyboard. If it is disabled, you will access the second as­sign­ments of the keys, even without using the Fn button. If your keyboard does not have the [NumLock] key, use the following shortcuts to enable or disable the Fn key.

Did you ac­ci­dent­ally enable the Fn key? This will become quickly apparent if you press keys and the desired result is not produced. To return to your normal keyboard layout, disable the Fn key using the keyboard shortcuts listed above.