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For the Lenovo e431, how do you keep the function key locked?

Right now pressing F1-F12 activates the multimedia controls by default. To get to the standard F1-F12, you have to hold down Fn+the function key. This used to be adjustable in the BIOS, but for this laptop model, it no longer is available.

You can press Fn+esc, and it locks it for that session, but when the computer reboots, this is reset back to the default.

Is there a way so that the default is not the multimedia function keys, but just the standard, legacy function keys?

Stevoisiak
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Bob
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    Do you have the keyboard drivers installed? Apparently you can change some settings in the control panel http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-Edge-S-series/Disable-Fn-Keys-E420/td-p/803609 – ta.speot.is Jul 06 '13 at 02:21
  • Thank you for the response, but the E series (E431) does not have that particular setting in the keyboard control panel setting. I tried looking for specific updated drivers for this keyboard, but none were found. – Bob Jul 06 '13 at 18:09

6 Answers6

58

'Fn + Esc' Should lock it, but you'll need bios version 1.25+ to keep this config after reboot, since it had an issue fixed on 1.25:

<1.25>
- (New) Modified Power off USB timing.
- (New) Added New Panel Support.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue related to post hang up issue with special input KB/Mouse on docking
- (Fix) Fixed an issue related to unsupported resolution appeared during VGA/HDMI first plug in.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue that Fn lock can't be kept after reboot.

You can download it (and anything related to ThinkPad Edge E431) here: ThinkPad Edge E431 Download Page en-us

Btw you can also switch Fn and Left Ctrl on BIOS :)

I hate e431 keyboard layout
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11

I have a Lenovo Ideapad, model 80XM.

I was able to change this setting by going into the Lenovo settings app called "Lenovo Vantage" that came installed with my model.

Go into the app, click "Hardware Settings" > "More" > "Function Keys" > then select "F1-F12" instead of "Hot Keys".

Edit:

My app has been updated and changed, now you go to:

  • Lenovo Vantage App
  • Hardware Settings
  • Input
  • Click on F1-F12 to use those settings instead
Kyle B
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    This should be the accepted answer – bluelurker Jun 14 '19 at 13:18
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    Just in case someone encounters this issue: For some reason Fn sticky keys was enabled in my case, which caused fn+lock not to work properly, thus Lenovo Vantage didn't even allow changing the setting until I turned that off. It's right under it in the advanced settings or something. – David Mulder Jan 27 '20 at 11:00
  • I installed the "Lenovo Vantage" app through the Microsoft store, via Chrome. The menu is different now, it's "Device" > "My Device Settings" > "Input & Accessories" under a header titled (somewhat ironically) "Intelligent Keyboard". Thanks for the tip on the Lenovo Vantage app, you helped me fix a very aggravating issue. – Scott Ord Nov 05 '20 at 09:05
10

I was searching like a man possessed to find how to return to F1-12 legacy mode (Lenovo Ideapad 110) because the FN hot keys were driving me nuts, especially while gaming.
I FINALLY found one post where the suggestion worked, after having tried 1000 different things from different posts:

  • While holding shift restart your PC and continue holding shift until a menu pops up.
  • Select Troubleshoot
  • Advanced Options
  • UEFI Firmware Settings
  • Restart.
    You will now boot into BIOS.
  • Then go to Configuration
  • Hotkey Mode and disable.
  • Save your settings,
  • boot to your OS and you're good to go!
yass
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Anonymous
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0

Press and hold and the Fn key for about 20 to 30 seconds. There would be a menu that pops up that asks whether you want to switch back to legacy mode. Just select the legacy option and you would be back to the old keyboard F1-F12 function that you always wanted.

fixer1234
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sanket patel
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0

My IT guy found it: you have to press Fn+Esc simultaneously, this will turn Function lock on or off and thus enable the function keys with or without the Fn-key.

Jawa
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user270455
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    OP stated that in the question. ("*You can press Fn+esc, and it locks it for that session*") The question was hot to turn it on permanently. – gronostaj Nov 08 '13 at 08:34
0

While I don't have this specific model (I have the W540), I have an option to make it permanent in the BIOS

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-Edge-S-series/Keeping-quot-Fn-quot-key-on/td-p/449937

Nick Devereaux
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