How to Enable Fn Lock on Startup in Windows
If you frequently use the F1 to F12 function keys on your Windows laptop or keyboard, you may have noticed that their behavior can change depending on whether Fn Lock is enabled. When Fn Lock is enabled, the top-row keys can work as traditional function keys without requiring you to press the Fn key every time.
For example, with Fn Lock enabled, pressing F5 can refresh a webpage directly. With Fn Lock disabled, the same key might control screen brightness, keyboard volume, or another hardware feature. This can become frustrating if Windows starts with the setting you do not want.
The important thing to understand is that Windows itself does not provide one universal Fn Lock startup setting. On many computers, the behavior is controlled by the keyboard firmware, BIOS/UEFI, or the manufacturer’s keyboard utility.
Therefore, the exact method depends on your laptop or keyboard model.
How to Enable Fn Lock on Startup in Windows
To enable Fn Lock automatically when Windows starts, first check whether your laptop has an Fn Lock shortcut, then look for a related Action Keys, Hotkey Mode, Function Key Behavior, or Fn Lock setting in BIOS/UEFI. Some manufacturers also provide a keyboard utility that controls this behavior. If no startup option exists, you may need to enable Fn Lock manually using the keyboard shortcut after signing in.
Let’s explore the steps in detail!
Step 1: Check Whether Your Keyboard Has an Fn Lock Shortcut
Before changing any Windows or BIOS settings, check your keyboard for an Fn Lock shortcut.
Look closely at the Esc key and the F1 to F12 keys. Many keyboards have a small lock symbol or the letters Fn printed on one of these keys. On numerous laptop keyboards, the Fn Lock function is associated with Esc.
Try pressing Fn + Esc once. On keyboards that support this shortcut, this can switch Fn Lock on or off.
After pressing the combination, test one of your function keys. For example, open a browser and press F5. If the key performs the standard function rather than the hardware action assigned to that key, Fn Lock may now be enabled.
Some keyboards use a different combination. The exact shortcut depends on the manufacturer and keyboard model, so do not assume that Fn + Esc will work on every computer.
Step 2: Check Your Laptop Manufacturer’s Keyboard Settings
If your keyboard has no obvious Fn Lock shortcut, check whether your computer manufacturer provides a keyboard control application.
Open the Start menu and search for your manufacturer’s keyboard or system utility. Depending on your computer, it could be a system configuration application, device control center, or hotkey utility.
Look through the available keyboard settings for options such as Function Key Behavior, Hotkey Mode, Action Keys Mode, Function Keys, or Fn Lock.
If you find a setting that controls whether the top-row keys behave as function keys or special hardware keys, select your preferred behavior and save the setting.
This method is particularly useful on laptops where Fn behavior is managed by manufacturer software rather than directly by Windows.
Step 3: Restart Your Computer and Test Fn Lock
After changing the keyboard setting, restart your computer.
Do not simply put the computer to sleep. Select Start > Power > Restart so that the system goes through a complete startup process.
Once Windows loads, test a few function keys.
For example, press F5 in your web browser. You can also try F2 when selecting a file in File Explorer, or F11 to check whether the expected function-key behavior is active.
If the keys behave according to your selected Fn setting immediately after startup, your keyboard has successfully retained the configuration.
If the behavior has returned to its previous state, the setting may need to be changed in BIOS/UEFI instead.
Step 4: Open Your Computer’s BIOS or UEFI Settings
Many laptops allow the default function-key behavior to be configured before Windows starts. This is useful because the setting is stored at the firmware level rather than depending entirely on Windows.
First, save your work and restart the computer.
As the computer begins starting, repeatedly press the appropriate BIOS/UEFI key. Common keys include F2, Delete, Esc, F10, or F12, but the correct key varies between manufacturers and models.
Some newer computers also allow you to reach firmware settings through Windows.
In Windows 11, open Settings, select System, choose Recovery, and look for Advanced startup. Select Restart now. After the restart, choose the appropriate troubleshooting and firmware option if your computer provides one.
Be careful when working inside BIOS or UEFI. You generally only need to change the specific keyboard-related option. Avoid changing unrelated boot, storage, security, or processor settings.
Step 5: Find the Function Key or Action Key Setting
Once you enter BIOS or UEFI, look through the available menus for a keyboard-related option.
The name varies significantly between computers. You might see Action Keys Mode, Hotkey Mode, Function Key Behavior, Special Function Mode, Function Key Mode, or a similar option.
The setting normally determines what happens when you press a key such as F1, F2, F5, or F12 without holding Fn.
For example, one option may make the keys perform their traditional F1 to F12 functions by default. Another option may make them perform their special hardware functions such as adjusting volume or brightness.
Read the description displayed beside the setting carefully. BIOS interfaces differ between computers, so the meaning of an option should be confirmed from its description or your manufacturer’s documentation.
Step 6: Change the Function Key Behavior
After locating the appropriate option, select the behavior you want.
If your goal is to have F1 to F12 work as standard function keys without pressing Fn, choose the setting that gives priority to the traditional function keys.
If your laptop uses an Action Keys Mode option, the available choices may be described differently. In many systems, disabling Action Keys Mode changes the top-row keys so that the traditional function-key commands work directly.
However, the terminology is manufacturer-specific. Do not change the setting solely because the word “disabled” or “enabled” appears. Instead, read the description and determine which option corresponds to your desired behavior.
Step 7: Save the BIOS or UEFI Changes
After selecting the correct setting, save your changes.
Many BIOS interfaces provide a Save and Exit option. Some also use a keyboard shortcut such as F10, but the exact method depends on your computer.
When asked whether you want to save the changes, confirm the action.
Your computer should then restart. Allow Windows to load normally.
Once you reach the desktop, test the function keys again. If the selected behavior remains active after a complete restart, your computer is applying the setting at startup.
Step 8: Test Fn Lock After a Full Shutdown
A restart is useful for testing, but a full shutdown provides another useful check.
Close your applications and shut down Windows normally. Wait a few seconds, then turn the computer back on.
After Windows starts, test the function keys again.
If the desired behavior remains after both a restart and a complete shutdown, the setting is likely stored at the keyboard firmware or BIOS/UEFI level.
If the setting changes every time the computer starts, your particular keyboard may use software or firmware that does not permanently retain the Fn Lock state.
Other Methods
Use the Fn Lock Keyboard Shortcut
The simplest alternative is to use the keyboard’s dedicated Fn Lock shortcut. On many keyboards, Fn + Esc toggles the setting. Some models use another key combination.
Look for a small Fn Lock or padlock symbol printed on the keyboard. This can tell you which key participates in the shortcut.
Check the Manufacturer’s Support Software
Some computers provide a dedicated application for keyboard and hardware settings. Open your manufacturer’s support or device-management application and search for hotkey, function key, or keyboard settings.
If the application offers a persistent function-key preference, changing it there may be enough to maintain your preferred behavior.
Check for a BIOS or Firmware Update
If your computer supports Fn Lock but repeatedly forgets the setting, check whether the manufacturer has released a BIOS, UEFI, keyboard firmware, or hotkey driver update for your specific model.
Only install firmware intended for your exact computer model. An incorrect BIOS or firmware update can cause serious problems.
FAQs
What is Fn Lock in Windows?
Fn Lock changes how the keyboard’s top-row keys behave. Depending on the keyboard, it can allow F1 to F12 to operate as traditional function keys without holding the Fn key.
Can I enable Fn Lock permanently in Windows?
Not on every computer. Windows does not have one universal Fn Lock setting. The behavior can be controlled by the keyboard, firmware, BIOS/UEFI, or manufacturer software.
Why does Fn Lock turn off after restarting?
Your computer may not store the Fn Lock state in Windows. Instead, the keyboard or firmware may determine the default behavior every time the system starts. Check BIOS/UEFI and your manufacturer’s keyboard utility for a persistent setting.
Does Fn + Esc work on every laptop?
No. Fn + Esc is common, but it is not universal. The shortcut depends on the keyboard manufacturer and model.
How do I know whether Fn Lock is enabled?
Press a function key such as F5 without holding Fn. If it performs the standard F5 function instead of the special hardware action, your keyboard is likely configured for traditional function-key behavior.
Can I change Fn Lock from Windows Settings?
Usually, Windows Settings does not provide a universal Fn Lock switch. If your laptop manufacturer supplies a keyboard utility, that application may provide the necessary control.
Summary
Enabling Fn Lock on startup is not handled by one universal Windows setting. The correct approach depends on your keyboard and computer manufacturer.
Start by checking for an Fn Lock keyboard shortcut, particularly Fn + Esc. If that does not provide a persistent setting, check your manufacturer’s keyboard utility. For a setting that applies from startup, enter BIOS/UEFI and look for options such as Function Key Behavior, Action Keys Mode, or Hotkey Mode.
Once you change the appropriate setting, save it, restart the computer, and test the function keys. If the behavior remains consistent after restarting and shutting down the PC, you have successfully configured your keyboard’s default function-key behavior.