How to Enable Function Keys

Last Updated: February 8, 2023

This wikiHow teaches you how to toggle on the function keys on your keyboard. These are the keys at the top of your keyboard labeled F1 through F12. They have several different commands that may be useful to you, such as pulling up a help menu or refreshing a page.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Fn Key

1
Hold down the Fn key. This key is usually found in the bottom-left corner of your keyboard next to the Ctrl or Control key. If you're using a full-size Mac keyboard, you may find it between the letter keys and the 10-key numeric keypad.
2
Hit the function key you wish to use. These are found at the top of your keyboard^{[1]
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- Try pressing F1 while in an application. If this opens a help menu, then you have successfully enabled the function key. On a Mac, this key generally lowers the volume.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using the F Lock Key

1
Turn on the F lock key. If your keyboard has this key, it'll usually be found in the top-left or top-right corner. A light will usually turn on when the key is enabled.
2
Press the function key you wish to use. These are at the top of the keyboard.
- Try pressing F1 while in an application to check that you have successfully enabled the function keys. In Windows, this usually opens the Help menu. On a Mac, it turns down the volume.^{[2]
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