4 Correct answers
Although this is an old thread, if any function keys are not working, especially on a new Mac, see if the function key setting needs to be changed. On a Mac out of the box, function keys default to working as media keys (brightness, volume…).
The way to test this is to also hold down the Fn key while pressing the shortcut. For example, if Shift+F5 does not open Edit > Fill, but it does when you also hold down the Fn key, then that is the problem.
If you always want function keys to be functi
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As I was reading through this old but recently revived thread, I was about to start a post about changing the usage of the function keys to Standard Use, then I got to the end and saw that @Conrad_C had already explained it perfectly. It's something I do on the first day with the setup of every new Mac.
In addition, I had to purchase a Windows laptop and found it also applies there. The difference is that on Macs, it's part of macOS and is always in the same place. On a Windows laptop, it is
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Well now I’ve got another weird one. Although most of the time, how the function keys work is either in the OS or the computer hardware settings, there is also another less common possibility. I just started trying a new compact keyboard, and the way function keys work on it is actually controlled by the keyboard! It doesn’t read the macOS setting, it depends on how you set the Fn Lock toggle on the keyboard itself, as shown in the first line in the picture from the keyboard’s manual.
So, t
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Good summary Conrad!
Jane
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Although this is an old thread, if any function keys are not working, especially on a new Mac, see if the function key setting needs to be changed. On a Mac out of the box, function keys default to working as media keys (brightness, volume…).
The way to test this is to also hold down the Fn key while pressing the shortcut. For example, if Shift+F5 does not open Edit > Fill, but it does when you also hold down the Fn key, then that is the problem.
If you always want function keys to be function keys, change the setting in the picture below, which is in System Settings / Keyboard / Keyboard Shortcuts. If you prefer that row remain media keys, don’t change the setting below, and instead temporarily use any of them as a function key by adding the Fn key to the shortcut.
Well now I’ve got another weird one. Although most of the time, how the function keys work is either in the OS or the computer hardware settings, there is also another less common possibility. I just started trying a new compact keyboard, and the way function keys work on it is actually controlled by the keyboard! It doesn’t read the macOS setting, it depends on how you set the Fn Lock toggle on the keyboard itself, as shown in the first line in the picture from the keyboard’s manual.
So, to summarize, there are at least three ways to try and resolve this:
- If you are using macOS, change how the Function keys work in System Settings > Keyboard.
- If you are using Windows, read Jane-e’s earlier reply.
- If the above suggestions don’t work for you on macOS or Windows, now look at your keyboard and see if it has a Fn Lock button that you need to toggle. For Windows, this is mentioned in the following Microsoft tech article: How do I use the Fn key/F Lock key/Alternate command keys?
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