How can I "fix" the "Fn" key default behaviour?

Question

How can I change the default behaviour of the Fn key?

Basically I want it to be turned on all the time.

Is there something there for Ubuntu? None of the solutions (hardware) works for me, neither does my BIOS allow me to toggle it.

I did try all the combinations given (Fn+ESC, Fn+NumLock, Fn+F1+F12 ), but none worked.

Apparently it depends on laptop model, so mine is Lenovo G50-45

Solution 1

Fn+Esc worked on my Lenovo ThinkPad E550. Thanks for the hint.

Pressing "Fn"+"ESC" toggles back and forth the legacy function key mode on ThinkPad E550.

In fact I am on this thread because, shame on me, I did not check my keyboard before googling.

On the "ESC" key there is a tiny "FnLk". That might be a good hints for others.

I run UBUNTU 16.04 and it works, but I think the function is implemented at bios level and should work regardless of the operating system in use.

Solution 2

My Lenovo Ideapad laptop had this option in BIOS settings.

-Under "Configurations" tab, set "Hotkey mode" to "Disabled"

To open BIOS settings, press Fn+F2 if you haven't changed this option before. Or uses "Novo" button, if exists.

Here's a link to the official site: Change function key mode

If it isn't showing, maybe try updating the BIOS

Solution 3

If you're using DELL laptop with Windows OS then pressing Fn+Num lock key would disable the function key issue.

Num lock key is nothing but the Home key, by pressing Fn+Home key will act as releasing the Fn Numlock issue.

Comments

[Rajesh Sinha]

Pietro you must refer this link,, superuser.com/help/how-to-answer help you to compose a better text.

[Ravindra Bawane]

The question indicates the laptop is Lenovo. Please read questions carefully to make sure the answers you supply are relevant.

[ruizpauker]

@music2myear as a DELL user I find this answer of utmost importance. It's something usual here in SO to have this sort of side answers as users often land from search engines