Summary: Computer manufacturers use the Fn key to cram even more virtual keys onto smaller laptop keyboards. Sometimes it can get confused.
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As i type right now, i have to hold down the "Fn" key just to get normal letters. I don't know how it happened, but I'm on a laptop and the only way for me to get the "u,i,o,l,;,k,j,m,7,9,0,/,p" keys are to hold down the "Fn" key. It is purple on the lower left of my internal keyboard. |
One of the compromises that laptop manufacturers had to make to support a full-sized keyboard into the space of a laptop is that numeric keypad that most keyboards have. What they've done is overlaid it "on top" of the regular alpha numeric keyboard.
The trick, of course, is noticing it, and then turning it on, or in your case, off.
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Here's a shot of my laptop's keyboard (please, ignore the dirt - it's a well used, and well traveled, machine):
and down in the lower left you'll see the "Fn" key that we're talking about (though mine's blue instead of purple):
If you look closely at the rest of the keyboard you'll see that several keys include blue lettering on them as well. In fact, if you look at the keys 7, 8, 9, 0 on the top row, U, I, O, P on the next, J, K, L, : on the next and M, > and ? on the bottom, you'll see that each has a blue character on it:
That layout of blue characters mimics the layout of the numeric keypad on a full-sized keyboard.
Normally, if you hold down the "Fn" key, you'll get whatever character or function is printed in blue on those keys. So holding down the "Fn" key, you now have a numeric keypad in the middle of your keyboard. Release "Fn" and things are back to normal.
Which is exactly the opposite of what the question is asking. The person asking needed to press the "Fn" keys to get the normal, white, characters for each key.
The "problem" is simply that there is a persistent toggle. If you press "Num Lk" (I've also seen it labeled "Pad Lk" for numeric Pad) it turns on the blue keys, and inverts the meaning of the "Fn" key - it's a way to use that embedded numeric keypad without having to hold down the "Fn" key the entire time.
To fix it, just find and press the "Num Lk" or "Pad Lk" key again. (Note, sometimes these keys are themselves "Fn" keys, so you may, or may not, need to also hold down the "Fn" key to get the right function.) Often there is an indicator light associated with the setting.
Related:
Ask Leo! - Why doesn't my keyboard work until Windows is running?
Ask Leo! - What's Dvorak, and why did my keyboard layout suddenly change?
Ask Leo! - How can I disable my "Windows" key? Or for that matter, remap my entire keyboard?
Article C2661 - May 22, 2006
omg thank you! i install a program to turn my keyboard into a piano and when i did, my keys and fn went crazy! i had system restored like twice and tried to uninstall my keyboard cuz i thought i did something wrong. thank you so much!
Posted by: larry at May 6, 2008 4:47 AMyou sir are an FN legend!!!!
I tried all the buttons I could think of but didn't realise that the num lock button was a FN as well thank you
Posted by: seymour Butts at May 27, 2008 10:05 PMThanks a million!
My parents gave me this laptop a week ago and I thought that I had broken it! I had hit the num lock key and the 'Fn' button turned on (like you said.) I am so relieved and now I don't have to explain this crazy story to my parents.
Thanks again!
Posted by: Meredith at May 29, 2008 1:44 PMI just wanted to say thanks for easy-to-follow help. I must have accidentally hit the Num Lk key without realising that's what it does! Thanks for help - now I don't have to hold down "Fn" with my pinkie while I type! :D
Posted by: Katie at June 8, 2008 7:36 PMthanks, it was annoying me having it stuck on. Thanks again, clear instructions
Posted by: buvdiknjf at June 24, 2008 1:37 AMThat has been annoying me so much that I stopped writing using my laptop! Thank you so much for helping me fix this thing in any easy-to-understand way!!
Posted by: Sarah at June 25, 2008 6:01 PMHi dear Leo
Posted by: Aref at June 28, 2008 5:34 AMIt worked on my friends laptop. Thanks a lot.
But I have a problem that my laptop doesn't have any NumLock key or PadKey.
I have the problem and I don't know what should i do?
Thanks so much!!!! It took a bit of internet searching to find this page, but I appreciate the full use of my keyboard back! (As well as the knowledge of how to do and un-do that again.)
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Aref: Check your computer's manuals. Many computers use this
Fn key, but others may use other keystrokes to the same
effect. You'll need to check what's correct for your machine
with the documentation or the manufacturer.
Leo
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I'm closing comments on this article since the VAST majority
are simply "Thank You".
You're welcome. :-)
Leo
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