You may wonder what those function keys running along the top of the keyboard do. These function keys are labeled F1 through F12/F19 (how many you have depends on your keyboard), along with an Escape key and an Eject key that looks like a triangle on top of a horizontal line. By default, every Mac. On keyboards for mac OS, when you press Fn, it sends a scan code to the system i.e. Type:keydown code:65538 name:fn misc:flags: fn. Type:keyup code:65538 name:fn misc: This doesn't happen with normal Fn keys for Windows native keybords.
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Short for Function, Fn is a key found on most laptop keyboards and some desktop computer keyboards. The Fn key performs special functions, such as adjusting the screen's brightness and speaker volume.
Fn key overview
As you can see in the image above, this laptop has an Fn key with a green and blue Fn. Keys with symbols of the same color indicate that their secondary function will be activated by pressing that key with the Fn key. In this example, pressing and holding down the Fn key, along with the up or down arrows, would adjust the laptop screen brightness.
TipThe Fn key should not be confused with the function keys F1 - F12 found on computer keyboards.
Where is the Fn key found on the keyboard?
Laptop computers
On laptop computers, the Fn key is usually on the bottom-left side of the keyboard, next to the Ctrl key.
Chromebooks
Not all Chromebooks have an Fn key. For those that do have an Fn key, it is often found near the spacebar.
Apple desktop keyboards
On full-sized Apple desktop computer keyboards, the Fn key is found to the right of the delete key, as seen in the picture. It is often labeled as fn, with a lowercase 'f.'
Other desktop computers
Most other full-sized desktop computers do not have an Fn key. For those desktop computer keyboards that do have an Fn key, it is often found around the spacebar.
How do I use the Fn key?
With most computer keyboards, the Fn key is used like other modifier keys (e.g., the Shift key). By pressing and holding the Fn key in conjunction with another key that has an Fn function, that function is performed.
For example, consider the photo above of the F12 key on an Apple keyboard. This key also has an icon of a speaker, making the F12 key an audio volume control key. If you press this key, it adjusts the volume of your speakers. However, if you hold down the Fn key when you press the F12 key, it's interpreted as the F12 key. Holding down Fn changes from the default key action to the alternate. You can configure which action is the default, and which action is the alternate, in the keyboard section of your System Settings.
TipOn desktop computer keyboards with an Fn key that lights up when enabled, you need to make sure the key is enabled (illuminated) before pressing the corresponding function key. Once the key is illuminated, it no longer needs to be pressed, and each function is performed until the Fn key is disabled.
My Fn key does not have multiple colors
Not all Fn keys are color-coded. Computers with a white or black Fn key still perform the same function and can be pressed in combination with other keys that have pictures on them. For example, pressing the Fn key and a key with a sun on it should adjust the brightness. Pressing the Fn key and a key with a crescent moon should put the computer to sleep.
What functions can the Fn key perform?
The functions available to the Fn key all depend on the computer manufacturer and the type of keyboard. Below is a list of some of the common functions this key is used to perform.
- Turn up and down the brightness on display.
- Turn up and down the volume.
- Mute the volume.
- Control media functions such as play, pause, fast forward, and rewind.
- Switch between windows.
What if my keyboard does not have an Fn key?
If your computer did not include a keyboard with the Fn key, it has no alternate functions on those keys. You may consider upgrading your keyboard to a different model, such as a multimedia keyboard.
Why does the Fn key not work?
For the Fn key and the function key to work, it must be supported by the computer and device. For example, pressing the Fn key and the brightness key increases the brightness on the laptop screen and not an external monitor connected to a laptop. The same goes for special functions, such as opening a browser window, printer, and audio controls.
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On desktop computer keyboards with an Fn key that lights up when enabled, you need to make sure the key is enabled (illuminated) before pressing the corresponding function key.
If the Fn key function worked in the past but no longer works now, there may be a problem with the computer drivers or hardware.
Related pages
Computer abbreviations, Keyboard terms, Laptop
The Touch Bar of your MacBook Pro changes to show the function keys for you to select, and then it returns to its previous state when you release the Function key.
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For some apps, you can make the function keys display permanently in Touch Bar:
- In System Preferences, choose Keyboard.
- Click Shortcuts.
- From the left sidebar, select Function Keys.
- Click the “+” symbol, then navigate to the app and select it.
Now when you open or switch to this app, Touch Bar always displays the function keys.
You can also use an on-screen keyboard to access function keys:
- From System Preferences, select Keyboard.
- Check “Show Keyboard, Emoji and symbol viewers in menu bar”.
- Choose the viewer icon in the menu bar, then choose Show Keyboard Viewer.
An on-screen keyboard appears with function keys that you can click.
Using function keys in Windows
When you use Boot Camp to run Windows on your MacBook Pro, the function keys work the same as they do in macOS. Hold down the Function key on your keyboard, and the function keys appear.
You can also use the Windows on-screen keyboard to access function keys:
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- From the Windows menu, select the Windows Ease of Access menu item.
- Click On-Screen Keyboard.
- Click the fn key. The function keys appear in the on-screen keyboard.
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You can also make the function keys appear continuously in the Touch Bar while using Windows, without having to hold down the Function key:
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- In the Windows System Tray, click the up arrow to show additional icons.
- Click on the dark grey diamond-shaped Boot Camp icon.
- Select Boot Camp Control Panel from the menu that appears.
- Click Yes to allow the Control Panel to run.
- Click the Keyboard tab.
- Select 'Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys' to make the function keys appear continuously in the Touch Bar all the time. Deselect the checkbox to return the function keys to standard behavior.