Keyboard keys doing the wrong thing

Question

Hi, when i press some of my keys for functions, eg. volume up/down or brightness adjusments, they choose to do something else, like opening up "find word" when im in my browser. How do i get them back to doing what they're supposed to?

Answer 1

Windows has no control over the actions associated to the function keys on your keyboard, that is always controlled by the PC manufacturer.

1

Press Fn + Esc on your keyboard to test if that toggles the Function Lock on your keyboard off.

2

If not, boot your system into BIOS.

Look for a setting in there to toggle between Function Keys and Media/Action Keys and apply that.

3

If that does not resolve the problem, click your Start Button, then just type msinfo and press Enter, please provide a screenshot of the resulting System Information window.

Answer 2

The top-row keys are acting as standard function keys (F1–F12, e.g., F3 = Find) instead of as volume/brightness keys. Switch them back to their special-function behavior using the Fn/F Lock controls on the keyboard.

Try these steps:

1. Look for an Fn or F Lock key on the keyboard.
2. If there is an F Lock key:
   • Press F Lock once to toggle between standard F1–F12 commands and the alternate commands (volume, brightness, etc.).
   • When F Lock is On, F1–F12 work as standard function keys (e.g., Find in browser).
   • When F Lock is Off, the alternate functions (volume, brightness) work.
3. If there is only an Fn key:
   • On many Microsoft/Surface keyboards, pressing Fn toggles whether the top row acts as function keys or as special keys.
   • Press Fn once and check if an indicator light on the Fn key changes. Then test a volume/brightness key.
   • If the keys still act as F1–F12, hold Fn and press the desired key (for example, Fn + the volume key) to use the alternate command.

If special keys still do not work as expected, ensure Windows is fully updated, as missing updates can affect special-key behavior:

1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Install all available updates and restart.

For Microsoft keyboards, the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center app can also be used to customize key behavior if installed.

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References:

• How do I use the Fn key/F Lock key/Alternate command keys?
• Troubleshoot problems with your Surface mouse or keyboard
• Special keys and function keys for Surface Keyboards or Type Covers
• Use the special keys on Surface Keyboard