On most Lenovo laptops, the top row of keys controls volume, brightness, and other features by default, and you have to hold Fn to get F1–F12. If you use function keys a lot (F2 to rename, F5 to refresh, Alt + F4 to close), that gets old fast. You can flip the behavior so F1–F12 work without Fn, either temporarily with Fn Lock or permanently in the BIOS or the Vantage app. Here’s how on Windows 10 (the same steps work on Windows 11).
Quick Answer
Press Fn + Esc to toggle Fn Lock on most IdeaPad, Yoga, and ThinkPad models; the small light on the Esc key shows when it’s on. For a permanent change, restart into the BIOS/UEFI and set Hotkey Mode to Disabled (IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion) or enable F1–F12 as Primary Function (ThinkPad).
How the Fn Key Settings Work
| Setting | Press F1–F12 alone | Press Fn + F1–F12 |
|---|---|---|
| Hotkey Mode Enabled (usual default) | Volume, brightness, mute, and other hotkeys | Standard F1–F12 |
| Hotkey Mode Disabled / Fn Lock on | Standard F1–F12 | Volume, brightness, and other hotkeys |
You can’t remove the Fn key itself, but these options mean you rarely need to press it.
Method 1: Fn Lock (Fn + Esc)
- Look for a small padlock with “Fn” printed on the Esc key (some models print “FnLk”).
- Press Fn + Esc once. On most models, a light on the Esc key turns on.
- Press F5 in a browser to test: if the page refreshes, function keys are now primary.
- Press Fn + Esc again to switch back.
On some models Fn Lock resets after a restart. If yours does, use the BIOS method below.
Method 2: Change the Setting in the BIOS/UEFI (Permanent)
Enter the BIOS
- Save your work and open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
You can also press F2 (or Fn + F2) repeatedly while the laptop starts on IdeaPad and Yoga models, or F1 on ThinkPads. Some models have a small Novo button (a pinhole or tiny button near the power jack); press it with the laptop off and choose BIOS Setup.
IdeaPad, Yoga, and Legion
- Use the arrow keys to open the Configuration tab.
- Select Hotkey Mode and change it to Disabled.
- Press F10 (or Fn + F10) and confirm to save and exit.
ThinkPad
- Open Config > Keyboard/Mouse.
- Set F1–F12 as Primary Function to Enabled.
- Optional: set Fn and Ctrl Key swap to Enabled if you’d rather have Ctrl in the bottom-left corner.
- Press F10 and choose Yes to save.
Exact menu names differ between models and BIOS versions. If you don’t see these options, check your model’s user guide on the manufacturer’s support site.
Method 3: Use the Vantage App
Many Lenovo laptops come with the Lenovo Vantage app, which can change the same setting from Windows:
- Open Lenovo Vantage from the Start menu (install it from the Microsoft Store if needed).
- Go to the Device section and open the input or keyboard settings (the name varies by version, such as Input & Accessories).
- Find the Hotkey mode or Fn Lock option and choose to use F1–F12 as standard function keys.
On ThinkPads, the older Keyboard Manager or the Mouse control panel’s ThinkPad tab may offer the same choice.
Troubleshooting
- Fn + Esc does nothing: your model may not support Fn Lock. Use the BIOS method.
- Hotkeys stopped working completely: reinstall the hotkey/Energy Management or Hotkey Features Integration driver for your model from the support site, and update Vantage.
- Setting keeps reverting: update the BIOS, and check that Vantage isn’t set to a different mode than the BIOS.
- Using an external keyboard: these settings only affect the built-in keyboard. External keyboards have their own Fn Lock key or software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work on Windows 11?
Yes. Fn Lock and the BIOS settings are independent of Windows. On Windows 11, the recovery path is Settings > System > Recovery.
Can I still change the volume after disabling hotkey mode?
Yes. Hold Fn and press the volume key.
Is it safe to change BIOS settings?
Changing Hotkey Mode is harmless. Avoid changing other settings you don’t recognize, and use Exit Discarding Changes if you’re unsure what you changed.
Summary
- Press Fn + Esc to toggle Fn Lock.
- For a permanent change, set Hotkey Mode to Disabled in the BIOS (IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion) or enable F1–F12 as Primary Function (ThinkPad).
- Or change the hotkey mode in Lenovo Vantage.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.