How to Turn Off Fn Lock on Your Keyboard

Fn Lock changes whether the top-row keys act as F1–F12 keys or as their alternate controls, such as volume, brightness, or media playback. Turning it off usually restores the behavior you prefer, but the correct shortcut depends on the keyboard. Check its labels or manual rather than assuming every computer uses the same combination.

What You’ll Need

Your computer or external keyboard, with its keyboard model if available.
The keyboard’s manual or the manufacturer’s support page if the shortcut is unclear.
Administrator access only if you need to change a system-level setting; many keyboard shortcuts need no special access.

Step-by-Step

Check what Fn Lock is doing. Press a top-row key that has both an F-number and a second symbol. For example, try a brightness or volume key, then try using an F-key function in an app. Note which action happens without holding Fn. This confirms whether the issue is the function-row mode rather than an unrelated key problem.
Look for the lock indicator. Examine Esc and the function row for a small padlock or “FnLk” marking, often printed in a secondary color. The marking identifies a likely Fn Lock shortcut, but its location and meaning vary by keyboard. Some models show a light or an on-screen notification when the mode changes.
Try the marked shortcut. If Esc is marked, press and release Fn and Esc together. On some keyboards, Fn Lock is toggled by this combination; others use a different function-row key. If there is a clear Fn Lock marking elsewhere, try Fn with that key instead. Avoid holding the keys down for several seconds unless the manual says to do so.
Test the result. Press the same top-row key you tested in step one, without holding Fn. If it now performs the action you want, Fn Lock has changed. Try one F-key shortcut too, if relevant. Pressing the shortcut again may switch the mode back, so make a note of the combination that works.
Check the keyboard utility. If no shortcut works, open the keyboard or device settings app supplied by the computer or keyboard maker. Look for a setting named “Function key,” “Action keys,” “Hotkey mode,” or similar. Menu names and paths vary by version and device; consult the manufacturer’s instructions instead of changing unrelated options.
Review BIOS/UEFI only if necessary. Some laptops let you set the default function-row behavior in BIOS or UEFI, sometimes under a keyboard or configuration section. Restart and use the key shown by your computer’s startup screen or manual to enter setup. Change only a clearly identified function-key or action-key option, save the change, and exit. Menu names vary, and BIOS/UEFI is not available or needed on every device.
Repeat the test after changing a setting. Return to the desktop and test the same keys again. If a setting has reversed the behavior, change it back. Keep the manual handy if you need to restore the original configuration.

Common Mistakes

Assuming Fn plus Esc works everywhere. It is common, not universal. Use the printed symbol or the exact instructions for your model.
Confusing Fn Lock with Caps Lock or Num Lock. These locks affect different keys. A number pad or typing behavior changing does not necessarily mean Fn Lock is on.
Changing multiple settings at once. If you toggle a shortcut, alter a utility setting, and change BIOS/UEFI options, it becomes difficult to identify what fixed or worsened the behavior. Try one method, then test.
Assuming every function key has the same alternate action. The printed icons indicate what a key may do, but laptop models and apps differ. Some F-key actions only work when a supporting app or feature is available.
Changing BIOS/UEFI options at random. Do not alter boot, security, or hardware settings just to solve a function-row issue. If the relevant option is not clear, leave setup unchanged and check the device documentation.

Tips

Use the keyboard model printed on its underside, laptop label, or system information page when searching the manufacturer’s support materials.
On a laptop, the Fn key may also be needed for brightness, wireless, or other hardware controls. Turning off Fn Lock does not disable those functions; it changes which action happens by default.
An external USB or Bluetooth keyboard can have its own Fn Lock behavior, independent of the laptop’s built-in keyboard. Check the external keyboard’s documentation separately.
If you switch often between media controls and F1–F12, learn both the default action and the Fn-modified action for your model.

Troubleshooting

The shortcut does nothing: Confirm that you are pressing Fn and the correct marked key together. Try a quick press rather than holding them. If the key has no Fn Lock marking, search the manual for “function lock,” “hotkey mode,” or “action keys.” A setting may instead be available in the maker’s utility or BIOS/UEFI.

The behavior changes back after restarting: The keyboard may not retain a shortcut toggle, or a system utility may apply its preferred mode at startup. Check the utility for a saved default and review the manufacturer’s instructions. If the device offers a BIOS/UEFI preference, it may control startup behavior, but do not assume every model has one.

Only some keys behave unexpectedly: Test several keys and inspect their symbols. The issue may involve a specific app, a key remapping setting, or a hardware control rather than Fn Lock. Restart the app and test the keyboard in another program before changing system settings.

The Fn key itself seems unresponsive: Check for debris or physical damage, and try the built-in keyboard’s documented shortcut. For an external keyboard, reconnect it or check its battery if it is wireless. If keys still fail across apps, use the manufacturer’s support guidance; a hardware fault may need service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fn Lock?

Fn Lock toggles the default action of certain keyboard keys, usually the top row. Depending on the mode, those keys may perform F1–F12 commands or their printed media and hardware controls.

How do I turn off Fn Lock on a laptop?

Try the shortcut marked on the keyboard, commonly Fn plus Esc on some models. If that does not work, check the laptop manual or its keyboard utility for the model-specific method.

Can I turn off Fn Lock without an Fn key?

Some keyboards have a dedicated Fn Lock key or a setting in the maker’s utility or BIOS/UEFI. If your keyboard has none of these options, its default behavior may not be changeable.

Why does Fn Lock turn on again after restarting?

A startup utility or saved system preference may be restoring the default mode. Check the keyboard utility and, where documented, the BIOS/UEFI function-row setting.

Does turning off Fn Lock disable volume and brightness keys?

No. It changes which action is the default. On many keyboards, the alternate action remains available by holding Fn while pressing the relevant key.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.