Disabling Action Keys in BIOS Does Not Work after migration to Windows 11

[JCC369]

I have action keys disabled by BIOS.

When I had Windows 10, the function keys worked as function keys (F2 as F2, F3 as F3 and so on). To get the action keys behaviour I had to press also the fn key (for instance, to increase brightness I pressed fn + F3).

After migration to Windows 11, the function keys work as action keys and to get the function keys I have to press at the same time the fn key and the function key. The BIOS setup for action keys has not changed, action keys are disabled.

How can I get the desired behaviour, without action keys?

Thanks 

[VikramTheGreat · Accepted solution]

Hi @JCC369,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Thank you for reaching out regarding your HP laptop’s function keys. We understand that after upgrading to Windows 11, your function keys (F1–F12) now default to action key behaviour, even though the BIOS setting to disable action keys remains unchanged.

Let’s fix this so that your F-keys work as standard function keys—just like they did in Windows 10.
 

Step 1: Confirm BIOS Action Keys Setting

1. Restart your PC and repeatedly press Esc until the Startup Menu appears.
2. Press F10 to enter BIOS Setup.
3. Navigate to System Configuration > Action Keys Mode
4. Ensure it is Disabled
5. Press F10 to save and exit

If it is already disabled, continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Reinstall or Update HP Hotkey Support (HP Software Framework)

Windows 11 may not install this utility automatically.

1. Go to https://support.hp.com
2. Enter your HP laptop model number
3. Under the Software – Solutions section, look for:
   • HP Hotkey Support
   • Or HP System Event Utility
4. Download and install the latest available version
5. Restart your computer

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, as it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

VikramTheGreat

HP Support

[JCC369]

After several days with the issue, I did two things:

1. I executed  fn+Esc

2. I run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows Win10/11 64 bit and selected Diagnostics UEFI. It rebooted my computer and executed some BIOS tests.

When Windows 11 started the functions keys were working correctly, that is, funcion keys produced F1 ... F12 and fn + function keys launched the corresponding actions.

So it solved the issue. I don't know which of the operations solved it.

Regards 

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @JCC369,

It sounds like either resetting the function key mode using Fn + Esc or running the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI) utility may have corrected a firmware or keyboard controller setting that was stuck. Sometimes, just triggering a low-level diagnostic can reset things that a Windows restart alone won’t.
 

If it happens again, you now have a repeatable process to try.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, as it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

VikramTheGreat

HP Support