If you’re using a Lenovo laptop, chances are you’ve faced the classic confusion:
“Why is my F1–F12 not working normally?”
or
“Why do I have to press FN + F5 just to refresh?”
Don’t worry — you’re not alone. Lenovo users across ThinkPad, IdeaPad, and Legion series often experience this FN key behaviour because Lenovo sets the function keys differently from other brands.
In this article, let’s break down the confusion and show you simple fixes.
What’s Causing the FN Key Confusion?
Lenovo uses something called Function (FN) Key Mode, which controls whether:
- F1–F12 work as normal function keys
or - The special shortcuts (volume, brightness, airplane mode, etc.) take priority.
For Example
- You press F5 expecting “Refresh”, but instead you get “Keyboard Backlight”.
- You press F2 expecting “Rename”, but it opens Lenovo Vantage or lowers brightness.
This happens because Hotkey Mode is ON.
Two Modes on Lenovo Laptops
✔ 1. Hotkey Mode (Default on Many Models)
F1–F12 perform special functions directly
For normal functions, you must press FN + F-key.
✔ 2. Standard F1–F12 Mode
F1–F12 work normally
Special functions need FN + F-key.
Most users prefer Standard F1–F12 mode for shortcuts in Windows, gaming, or coding.
How to Fix the FN Key Issue on Lenovo
Here are the simplest ways to switch between modes:
1. Toggle Using the Keyboard Shortcut
Many modern Lenovo laptops support:
👉 FN + ESC (Function Lock)
Press it once → F1–F12 become standard function keys
Press it again → Hotkeys are activated again
If your ESC key shows a tiny lock icon, this method works.
2. Change Through BIOS (Guaranteed Method)
If the shortcut doesn’t work, change it from BIOS:
- Restart your laptop
- Press F1 or F2 repeatedly to enter BIOS
- Look for:
- HotKey Mode
- Action Keys Mode
- Set it to Disabled (for normal F1–F12)
- Save and exit
This method works on all ThinkPad, IdeaPad, and Yoga models.
3. Lenovo Vantage/App Settings
If you use Lenovo Vantage, check:
Hardware Settings → Input → Function Keys
Toggle the setting based on your preference.
Which Mode Should You Use?
Choose Hotkey Mode if you:
✔ Use brightness, volume, mic mute, and other shortcuts often
✔ Don’t use F1–F12 much in apps
Choose Standard F-Key Mode if you:
✔ Use F2 (rename), F5 (refresh), F4 (address bar), etc.
✔ Play games that require F-keys
✔ Work with Excel, coding, or VMware (your interest!)
For power users, Standard Mode is usually the best.
Final Thoughts
Lenovo laptops are great, but the FN key setup can confuse users the first time. The good news is — you can change it anytime with a simple shortcut or BIOS tweak.
Switching FN modes instantly makes your laptop feel more intuitive and much easier to use, depending on your workflow.