If you want to permanently reverse this behavior so F1–F12 are the primary keys, you can change the setting in the : Turn off your laptop completely.
Use the arrow keys to navigate to the menu. Select Action Keys Mode and press Enter .
If your laptop doesn't have an Fn Lock shortcut, you can change the behavior at the system level: your laptop. how to use function keys in hp laptop
Understanding how HP maps these keys is essential for getting the most out of your machine. This guide covers everything from basic usage to changing how these keys behave by default. 1. The Two Roles of Function Keys
For users who find the default "Action Key" mode counterintuitive—such as programmers who need F-keys for debugging or gamers who use them for key bindings—HP provides a method to revert to the traditional setup. This can be achieved through the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or the HP BIOS Utility. If you want to permanently reverse this behavior
| Shortcut | Function | | :--- | :--- | | | Shows HP System Info (and toggles Fn lock on many models) | | Fn + Shift (left) | Activates the embedded numeric keypad (on laptops without a separate numpad) | | Fn + Caps Lock | Toggles Fn lock on some business HP laptops (look for an Fn light on the Fn key itself) |
| Mode | What Happens When You Press "F6" Alone | How to Get the Other Action | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | (Default on many new HP models) | Performs the icon action (e.g., lowers volume). | Press Fn + F6 for the traditional F6 function. | | Legacy / Standard Mode (Common on older or business HP models) | Performs the traditional F6 action (e.g., browser caret browsing). | Press Fn + F6 for the icon action (volume down). | If your laptop doesn't have an Fn Lock
Master Your Keyboard: How to Use Function Keys on an HP Laptop
These are indicated by icons (like a speaker, a sun, or an airplane). By default, HP sets these as the primary function. Pressing the key triggers the action shown on the icon (e.g., muting volume).
On almost every HP laptop, the top row of keys serves two distinct purposes: