HP All in one infuriating fn key issue SOLUTION

[cgradio]

If you read the forums, this issue has been here for almost a decade, and the HP official answers all send you to the BIOS ... where they've removed the "action key" setting for the all-in-ones. They're giving you the notebook answer for a non-notebook. So, their own people don't know their products. They're just spitting back answers from their RYFM handbooks.
The issue is not the computer, the BIOS or any settings at all. The issue is the crappy keyboard the all-in-ones ship with. It's otherwise quite usable ... but it comes with the fn keys hardwired to operate as action keys instead F-keys. The only fix is to purchase a different keyboard. Look for one that has a Fn Key LOCK! That will indicate that the keyboard can be set to hold the action setting or the F-key setting ... whichever the consumer chooses!

[zoey7886]

@cgradio, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding Fn Key LOCK! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

BIOS Settings: Even though you've mentioned that the BIOS might not have the "action key" setting, it is still worth double-checking for any updates that might have reinstated this feature.

Keyboard Drivers: Ensure that your keyboard drivers are up to date. You can do this through the Device Manager.

• Open Device Manager
• Expand the keyboard section
• Right-click on the keyboard device and select 'Update driver'

HP Support Assistant: Use the HP Support Assistant to check for any updates or fixes that might be pertinent to your specific model.

Function Lock (Fn Lock): For some keyboards, pressing the "Fn" key and Esc or Shift key together might toggle the function key's behavior.  

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[cgradio]

HQ employees have been giving these same answers to nearly ten-years of forums posts complaining about this.

I found my own solution (if you want to put this in your tool box). Without a BIOS setting option (HO’s choice to not include), the problem is the keyboard that ships with the all-in-ones. It is set to default to action keys with no keystroke sequence available to hold f-keys. So the solution is to purchase another keyboard … one that has fn/action toggle (and perhaps even a lock).

The other answers are a runaround, and they do not work (as your forum posts demonstrate).