Disable the Fn key

This article will teach you how to disable the Fn key on your computer keyboard.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Using Num lock in Windows

Step #1. Find the Num lock key on your keyboard

This key can be found near the number keypad, or as a secondary function of another key.

Num lock is mainly used to lock the number keys on the keypad, but you can just as well use it to disable the Fn key

Step #2. Press and hold the Fn button

You can now use Num lock to disable Fn.

Step 3. Press the NumLock button while you Hold down Fn.

You now immediately disable all functions of the Fn key.

On some keyboards, Num lock looks like Num ⇩

Method 2 of 3: Using Fn Lock in Windows

Step #1. Find the 'Fn Lock' key on your keyboard

This key usually has a lock and 'Fn' on it.

You can usually find Fn Lock as a secondary function on one of the function keys (F1-F12) or on another special key, such as Esc

Step #2. Press and hold the Fn button

You can now use Fn Lock to disable Fn.

Step 3. Press the Fn Lock button while you Hold down Fn.

You now immediately disable all functions of the Fn key.

The Fn Lock key works just like Caps Lock. You can always turn this key on and off

Method 3 of 3: Using a Mac

Step #1. Open the Apple menu in the menu bar

Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen to open the Apple menu.

Step #2. Click on System Preferences from the menu

You will now open a new System Preferences window.

Step 3. Click on Keyboard in the System Preferences

This option looks like a keyboard and is located in the second row of the menu. You now open the typing and input settings.

Step #4. Click on the Keyboard tab at the top of the window

It's next to Text in the Keyboard window.

The menu may open automatically on this tab. In that case, you no longer have to click on the tab

Step 5. Select the option 'Use F1, F2 etc as default function keys'

With this option selected, the Fn key is disabled except for the special functions of the twelve F keys.

• You'll find this option at the bottom of the Keyboard menu.
• The F keys at the top of your keyboard now work as standard function keys (F1–F12). So you can now use the function keys without pressing Fn.
• To use one of the special functions depicted on the F keys, hold down Fn while pressing the F key. This is the only function your Fn key has now.