F keys don't work in startup menu

[mjh3rd]

created a recovery drive for my HP Desktop Slim but the F keys on my wireless keyboard do not work at all when i boot to startup menu, but they function fine while in windows. could the problem be the wireless keyboard?

[Rachel571 · Accepted solution]

Hi @mjh3rd 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Yes, it’s quite possible that the wireless keyboard is the reason the F keys (or any other keys you need for the startup menu) aren't functioning during boot. Here’s why:

Why the Wireless Keyboard May Not Work During Boot

USB Driver Availability at Boot:

• When you first power on your PC and are in the BIOS or startup menu, the operating system (Windows) hasn't loaded yet. At this point, the system is using very basic drivers for input devices. Some wireless keyboards, especially those that rely on Bluetooth or proprietary wireless receivers, may not be recognized at this stage because their drivers aren't loaded yet.

BIOS/UEFI Compatibility:

• If your system is using Legacy BIOS instead of UEFI or if USB ports are not fully initialized in BIOS mode, wireless keyboards may fail to work. Some motherboards require specific settings to enable USB devices before the OS loads.

USB Port Configuration:

• Sometimes, the system might not initialize all USB ports, or it may fail to recognize the wireless USB receiver (dongle) during boot if the keyboard is connected to a USB 3.0 port instead of a USB 2.0 port, especially in Legacy BIOS mode.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support