Zbook 15 G3 Hot Keys for Brightness and Microphone Non Functional

[fellede]

New laptop but FN Keys not working properly. I have seen a few comments about this already but no real fix.

I have tried three versions of software, 6.2.17.1, 6.2.18.1 and 6.2.20.8, SP74473, and sp76021.

The brightness keys and Microphone keys do not work. Audio volume does however.

[Dragon-Fur]

@fellede

Welcome to the HP Community Forum - we are a community of HP enthusiasts!

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@fellede wrote:

New laptop but FN Keys not working properly. I have seen a few comments about this already but no real fix.

I have tried three versions of software, 6.2.17.1, 6.2.18.1 and 6.2.20.8, SP74473, and sp76021.

The brightness keys and Microphone keys do not work. Audio volume does however.

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These may end up being no more than "more comments without a fix" -- perhaps it will help.

Consider

I have a ZBook 17 G3 -- issue similar to your own and worse in that the HD audio has been especially flakey recently.

Flakey:  Audio working / not working / high-pitched screech at boot and/or loud speaker crackle / audio driver randomly disappears (wherein at least that annoying microphone light goes off) / audio driver randomly "appears" with or without crackle / screech at boot / microphone "disabled" light.

Brightness FN keys not functional.

BIOS is at current for this model (1.09).

What appears to have worked on ZBook 17 G3...

• Create a Restore Point

• If the Conexant Audio driver is listed in the Device Manager > Uninstall AND Delete Driver > 
• Reboot and log in

• If the Hotkey driver is listed in Programs and Features > uninstall it (do not reboot)

• Download sp74197.exe
• Download sp76021.exe

• Install the Audio Driver > Reboot and log in
• Install the Hotkey Driver > Reboot and log in

NOTES:

This is a "previous" Audio driver (not most recent).

Audio Driver Information sheet:

sp74197.html

Hotkey Information sheet:

sp76021.html

Results at writing:

• Audio now works as expected - no screeching, crackle - speakers present and functional
• Microphone lists as functional and enabled in Playback Devices > Recording
• Brightness function keys work down/up (FN + F5 / FN + F6 on my ZBook 17 G3)

So far - so good.

When you see a Post that helps you,

Inspires you, provides fresh insight,

Or teaches you something new,

Click the "Thumbs Up" on that Post.

Fixed / Answered? Click that post Accept as Solution to help others find Answers.

[fellede]

Thanks Dragonfly but this did not work for me.

After following your directions (twice) I had Conexant SmartAudio driver date 12/1/215 V. 8.65.127.0 with HP Hotkey Support version 6.2.20.8. 

Same issue with the brightness Keys (FN + F5 / FN + F6 ) and the microphone disable key (FN + F10) no functionality.

The Microphone itself is functional.

[Dragon-Fur]

@fellede

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@fellede wrote:

Thanks Dragonfly but this did not work for me.

After following your directions (twice) I had Conexant SmartAudio driver date 12/1/215 V. 8.65.127.0 with HP Hotkey Support version 6.2.20.8. 

Same issue with the brightness Keys (FN + F5 / FN + F6 ) and the microphone disable key (FN + F10) no functionality.

The Microphone itself is functional.

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Rats.  I am sorry to hear that.

Consider / Try:

• Suggest that you uninstall the Audio Driver and click box to delete the driver >
• When the uninstall procedure is complete...
• Uninstall the Hot Key software from Programs and Features >
• Download and install the Chipset Driver from your computer's Website Support page >
• When the Chipset driver installation is complete, Restart the computer >
• Log in, open File Explorer and navigate to your Downloads folder >
• Right-Click on the Conexant installation package, select "Run as Administrator" >
• When the installation is complete (takes a while), Install the Hot Key software package >
• Restart the computer and log in >
• Wait a few minutes and then check results

When you see a Post that helps you,

Inspires you, provides fresh insight,

Or teaches you something new,

Click the "Thumbs Up" on that Post.

Fixed / Answered? Click that post Accept as Solution to help others find Answers.

[MSLEEE]

If you are still having the problem, I think you can get the HP Restore DVD and install the HP OS image. Before doing this, please install the latest BIOS v1.11 and set factory defult settings. And then update all of drivers using Softpaq Doenload Manager.