What can I do if my function keys don't work correctly?

QuestionWhat can I do if my function keys don't work correctly?
AnswerFunction keys can mean a few different things. You might be having a problem with the F-keys near the top of your keyboard (F1, F2, etc.), the secondary functions of the F-keys (toggling the wireless or touchpad, for example), or special media keys on your laptop.
There are a few steps you can take to try to resolve these issues. Try the suggestions listed below in the order presented. If a step fixes the problem, you're done! If a step doesn't fix your problem, continue to the next step.
Understand the FN key
First, ensure you understand how to use the FN key. In most newer models, the special utilities of the F-keys are used when you press the F-keys. To use the F-keys, you need to hold FN first. In older models, this was reversed. pressing the F-keys activated the F-keys. The special utilities of the F-keys are used while holding FN. If you're having trouble using your F-keys, try both with and without the FN key.
Reinstall TVAP or Toshiba Flash Cards Utility
Some models may use the Toshiba Value Added Package or the Toshiba Flash Cards Utility. Check the support site to see if these utilities are available for your model. If you see either listed, download and install it. Some models don't use these utilities; it's okay if you don't see either of them.
How To: Identifying and locating the correct driver for your device
Perform a power cycle
Perform a power cycle on your laptop.
How To: Proper Power Cycle Procedure for Laptops
Perform a System Restore
Restore your computer to a previous point when the keys were working correctly.
How To: Understanding System Restore, Refresh, Reset, and, Recovery options in Windows 8 + Video
How To: Perform a system restore in Windows 7
Perform a System Reset
If the previous suggestions don't help, you may want to try a System Reset (also known as a System Recovery). This returns the laptop to factory default conditions. Note that this means any data or application you added will be gone.
How To: Understanding System Restore, Refresh, Reset, and, Recovery options in Windows 8 + Video
How To: Perform system recovery - Windows 7
Seek servicing
If the System Reset didn't fix the problem, your computer could require servicing. Please call customer support.

Contact Apple Support to get it serviced or visit an Apple Store or Authorized Apple Service Provider next to your place.
iPhone - Contact Support - Apple Support

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Aluminum Keyboard Function Keys don't work correctly

I just bough a brand new aluminum wireless keyboard and some of the function keys aren't working, from F1 through F7. F9 works like F3 should and F12 like F5. It's so bizarre. Otherwise the keys all work fine. I've updated everything, tried working through the forums workarounds on the aluminum keyboard, and so far it didn't work for my computer. I'm pretty frustrated. Has anyone figured out the solution? I'm running 10.6.7 and have updated all my software.

One last key combo to try, while holding SHIFT fn try toglling volume brightness... and see if that works. It'a been years since I've used anything but my built in keyboard.
At this point Run software update with the keyboard connected and see if there may be an update for that.
Try a SMC reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord.
Wait fifteen seconds.
Attach the computer's power cord.
Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.
try a pram reset:
Resetting NVRAM / PRAM
Shut down your Mac.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.
After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone information. If issues persist, your Mac's logic board battery (not a portable Mac's rechargeable battery) may need to be replaced. The logic board battery helps retain NVRAM/PRAM settings when your computer is shut down. You can take your Mac to a Mac Genius or Apple Authorized Service Provider to replace the battery on the logic board.
If still no joy, contact Apple, or go to the store and find out what you may need to do, This was the bullet in my gun, I'm sorry I could not resolve this for you.It's probably something simple, or maybe your machine is too old to suport this device.
Best of luck.
If they get you going, please post back so others may find out the fix:>

Function keys are not working correctly

I've been looking all over the various threads and I can't find an answer that solves my problem.
Here are the details:
I bought the computer in the U.S. where I live.
I have a iMac 2.4GHz intel Core 2 Duo EMC 2133 with a 20" screen. Bought it new in February 2008.
I have Mac OS X 10.5.8 (I am waiting for my order for OS Snow Leopard to come in!!)
I have been using a wireless mouse and Keyboard (Love not having cords!)
Recently, my wireless keyboard got a short and quit working. I went down to the apple store and got a new wireless keyboard.
I had the computer with me at the genius bar so, yes, the apple employee saw exactly what I have.
I took it all home got the thing all put back together and got the new keyboard paired up and working with the computer.
Here are the problems:
Went to go use the function keys while using iTunes and found they weren't working properly. The F10, F11 and F12 do not control the volume of sound as the keyboard indicates they would, they instead activate dashboard, spaces, and application windows.
Following the advice of other threads, I looked over in the system preferences and made sure the "Use all F1, F2 etc." box was unchecked (it was unchecked), things still didn't work.
I tried the fn key but it appears to not work at all it has no effect on the functioning of the function keys.
I went under keyboard shortcuts in system preferences and found the F10, F11 and F12 keys, it confirms that those keys control spaces, dashboard and application windows as they are performing but shows no options to either reassign to volume control (as marked on the keyboard) or make the fn key work.
I've gone back and forth trying various combinations of checked and unchecked boxes to see if anything would work, so far I've come up with nothing.
A couple more important or interesting facts:
Yes I have turned off and taken the batteries out of the old keyboard. My bluetooth connection currently shows it as disconnected.
I have restarted the computer.
One thing I find odd; when I go under preferences and go to Keyboard and Mouse when I go under the section "Bluetooth" it shows Bluetooth mouse with the name of the mouse and the battery level. BUT nothing is showing up under bluetooth Keyboard, I can't figure out how to change this and don't know if it is contributing to the problem.
When I go under the bluetooth logo on the top bar I find the mouse and both keyboards referenced, the old keyboard is shown as disconnected and the other two are connected. I have tried to update the device's name but it doesn't seem to let me.
I have double clicked on the device under bluetooth and it shows the new keyboard as discoverable, paired and connected. Hence, I am using the new keyboard to write this inquiry.
Please, any assistance would be of great help. I have tried to be thorough in order help narrow the possible problem. Thanks!!

Hendry
Just thought I'd let you know. Our suspicions were correct, it was the OS. After I installed Snow Leopard (10.6.8) all the problems were corrected. I also updated the RAM from 1 gb to 6 gb. The mac is working all around better. Sorry it took so long to get back to everyone. My superdrive had pooped out. Rather than replace it I got an external drive from OWC connected with firewire 800. So far everything is running very well, as far as I can tell this external drive is better than the original superdrive. My superdrive has always acted funny, infact I returned the first mac I got after a week because its superdrive was also malfunctioning. Anyway, all that to say everything seems to be fully functioning again.
Roy
Re: Function keys are not working correctly

Function keys don't work on New IMac with Leopard.. very sad

We just got a New IMac with Leopard at work and my F Keys don't work at all. I have tried everything, even checking the "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys", but it doesn't work at all. I use these keys all the time. How can I fix this?

WebWolf wrote:
My Bad, I am sure I am not the only one that has done this. I had not assigned the F Keys to their function under Exposé, I thought they didn't work after I turned on the F Keys under the Keyboard & Mouse window. So, I thought I would post this to help anyone else that did this.
They now work, yea!!!!
Sometimes we solve our own problems quite well
I believe that Leopard does reset to the default F keys.

Some function keys don't work onSatellite P850-138

Hi,
I've got a Satellite P850-138 and the standard functions on the function keys don't seem to work (NOT the F1-F12 that you have to use Fn for, they work fine).
The video functions on F6-F10 seem to work fine when playing a video. The functions on F2-F4 and F11-F12 don't seem to work at all. (brightness up/down, switch screen, enable/disabled touchpad, volume and wireless)
Any advice on how to get them working?
Thanks in advance.

The first thing you can try is to reinstall Toshiba value added package.
Remove preinstalled version, restart the notebook and install latest version from Toshiba download page.

I have a Mac Mini, 7 years old, new keyboard function keys don't work. How can I correct this?

I've unclicked "use all F1 F2 keys as standard functions" and tried doing fn at the same time as F10 or F11 or F12, but I cannot control the sound from the keyboard. F10 darkens the background. F11 hides the windows I have open. F12 brings up the dashboard. How can I reset these to function as sound keys?

Just tried that. It didn't make any difference. I know it's not the keyboard; I went back to the Mac store and they tested it on a current computer and it worked exactly like it should.
It's a new metallic keyboard, replacing an older metallic one whose x, s, w, 2 keys just stopped working. It's a plug-in, not wireless.

Wireless keyboard function keys don't work even though updated

Hi,
like i read in different threads, many others had this problem too.
The function keys of my bluetooth keyboard (aluminium 2009) don't work even though i did firmware update for mighty mouse AND the keyboard firmware update. I also unset the option 'use function keys with fn......' option in system preferences. I also tried disconnecting and connecting the device. In system profiler the entry says it is (still) firmware version 80.
What can i do?
I'm thankful for any hint.
Best, Jörg

wrote this in another thread, but it is relevant here, too.
Wanting to buy a keyboard and reading this thread (and others), I went to a local Best Buy. They had quite a few of the wireless keyboards out. They had MC184LL(A) models and (B) models.
ALL of the (A) models worked perfectly with the iPad (typing, brightness, volume, ipod functions, etc).
NONE of the (B) models worked other than basic typing.
They had a stack of maybe 50 new wireless keyboards on the shelf. All but two of them were (B) models.
I bought one of the two (A) models. It is working perfectly on my iPad.
Rob

I am running SSH in Terminal window and my function keys don't work.

Hi all,
The company I am working in is using mainly Windows and they are running a database on Putty.exe
I managed to set up the SSH in Terminal on Mac OSX and I can see the database well and fine. Certain "commands" within the database are executed by numbers 1, 2, 3 etc while other "commands" are executed by function keys F1, F2 - F16 etc. However, when I press the F1 - F12 keys on my keyboard, they don't work as expected.
If any one has any expert advice, I would greatly appreciate it, thanks!

FInd out from your database administrator what terminal type the database application supports. Examples of terminal types are vt100 and ansi. Now go back to the Mac's Terminal Preferences and set the terminal to the matching type.

JKL Keys Don't Work Correctly in File Editor

I'm using STP v3. When I select a clip in the timeline of a multitrack project, using the JKL keys in the File Editor does not work correctly. Instead of playing from the current time of the playhead/CTI, it plays from the beginning of the selected clip. Is this normal or is it a bug? The JKL keys function properly in the timeline, but not the File Editor.
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I have a brand new ipad2 and just purchased an apple wireless keyboard. The keys work fine for typing, but the keys across the top don't seem to work at all. I play music, but none of the music control keys work. The keys on functions 1..12 appear to be totally dead.
I have seen several posts from people who seem to have this problem, but I see no answers. Did I purchase a lemon or what?

wrote this in another thread, but it is relevant here, too.
Wanting to buy a keyboard and reading this thread (and others), I went to a local Best Buy. They had quite a few of the wireless keyboards out. They had MC184LL(A) models and (B) models.
ALL of the (A) models worked perfectly with the iPad (typing, brightness, volume, ipod functions, etc).
NONE of the (B) models worked other than basic typing.
They had a stack of maybe 50 new wireless keyboards on the shelf. All but two of them were (B) models.
I bought one of the two (A) models. It is working perfectly on my iPad.
Rob

Why sometimes all the Function keys don't work?

It always happens in a sudden, randomly.
keys like F8-12 sometimes just don't function like wt they're supposed to do. But it'd be fine if I simply restart the system.
does anyone have idea wt's wrong with it?
p.s. i'm using 10.6.3 with Macbook white (mid'07)

I agree with Akuma.
The Toshiba VAP provides a lot of features and they are required for other Toshiba utilities.
On my Satellite notebook I have VAP installed and FN keys are working.
Try it with the newest version that you can find on the Toshiba website:
http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com => Support & Downloads => Download Drivers

Pause, back, and fwd (F6-8) keys don't work with iTunes. [Windows 7 64-bit]

All my other F# keys work (I can adjust the screen brightness, adjust the volume...etc) but my Pause (F8), Back (F7) and Fwd (F9) keys don't work with iTunes. Though they DO work with Windows Media Player.
How can I get them to work with iTunes?
I'm using Windows 7 64-bit on a macbook pro.

Same problem here.
I'm using Macbook late '09 + Windows 7 64-bit + iTunes 10.0.1.22 for Windows,
and my media function keys don't work. I don't use Windows Media Player though.

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What can I do if my function keys don't work correctly?

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