Function Keys

The factory default for new systems puts the multimedia keys first opposed to the Fx keys. By default you have to hold down Fn and then press the Fx key to get the Fx key. Pressing Fx on its own gives you the multimedia key.

I'm not sure why this was changed however there is a setting in the BIOS setup to allow function keys by default. In this scenario pressing Fx will give Fx and holding down Fn and Fn will give the multimedia option.

  1. Power down your computer. Wait 10 seconds and power it up. Press F2 at the Dell BIOS Screen.

1. Dell BIOS

2. This will take you to the BIOS setup

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3. Press the [→] key and then the [enter] key to select the Advanced tab.

4. Press the [↓] key until you get to Function Keys and press [Enter].

5. Press the [↓] key until you get Function Key First and press [Enter].

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6. Press F10 to save and exit. When prompted select yes by moving the [←] key and press enter.

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7. The system will reboot.

5 thoughts on “Function Keys

  1. Great. Thanks a lot.
    Can you tell the same to keep the num lock on? Each time I restart, it gets turned off automatically? I am using Windows 10, Dell Inspiron 3542. The same was the case with windows 8 too.

    1. I'm not sure it depends on your system if the option is available in the UEFI BIOS. Also try seeing if theres any settings in the mobility centre.

  2. I converted Windows 7 to Windows 10 it worked great for a week. But the first update took away my mouse drivers. I had to go buy an external Mouse. Later updates re stored this feature. Now something has happened to turn the Wi-Fi off. I am unable to get the Wi-Fi turned back on. It says use the function keys but does not tell which one. Any help would be appreciated.

    1. Press [Windows] and [ r ] and type in msinfo32 and press [Enter]. Tell me the model and BIOS revision. Upgrade installs are a bit buggy which is why I recommend a clean install. It seems like Quickset or ControlPoint is missing. Sometimes you need to disable and enable the airplane switch in the device manager. Under HID devices. to get to the device manager right click the start button and select device manager.

      1. Turns out it was the "wi-Fi Sense" function that was messing things up. Somehow it got turned on by one of the updates. I turned it off, and then the wireless came on. Up until that time I could move the on screen wifi switch from off to on, but as soon as I dropped the cursor, it reverted to off. Now if they will let my buiolt in mouse work again, I can be happy with that. And maybe I will find a cheap router that is Windows 10 compatible, or they will update their program to allow my old one to work , as it does with XP and 7. Thanks for your help.

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