Where Is The F Lock Key On An HP Laptop? | Fast Fix Guide

Guide / By

The F Lock on an HP laptop sits as Fn+Esc or a BIOS “Action Keys Mode” toggle, not a separate key on most models.

If you’ve scanned your keyboard and can’t spot an “F Lock” label, you’re not missing anything. On many HP notebooks, the function row pulls double duty: media and system shortcuts on the icons, and classic F1–F12 commands. The switch that flips between those behaviors isn’t a standalone key on most units. Instead, HP maps it to a small combo (Fn+Esc) called Fn Lock, or to a firmware setting named Action Keys Mode. Once you know where to look, you can set the row the way you like and keep it there. Change it in seconds with two quick checks today.

How HP Handles The Function Row

HP ships two main behaviors for the top row. In Action Keys Mode, the icon actions fire with a single press, while F1–F12 need Fn held down. In Standard Function Mode, F1–F12 work with a single tap, while the icons need Fn. Your keyboard legends show both roles, so the trick is deciding which role you want by default and learning the toggle your model supports.

Find The F Lock On Your HP Keyboard

Check For The Fn+Esc Toggle

Look at the Esc key. Many HP laptops print a tiny lock symbol there. Hold Fn and tap Esc once. That switch flips the default between icon actions and F1–F12. A quick test: press F5 after the toggle. If your browser refreshes without Fn, you’re in Standard Function Mode. If it mutes or changes brightness, you’re in Action Keys Mode. HP documents this method in its guide to locking or unlocking the Fn key, which matches across multiple lines. HP’s Fn key guide

Use BIOS: Action Keys Mode

If Fn+Esc does nothing, set the behavior in firmware. Restart the laptop and tap Esc to open the Startup Menu, then press F10 for BIOS Setup. In System Configuration, open the option named Action Keys Mode or Hotkeys. Toggle it to the mode you prefer, then save and exit. Business lines like ProBook and EliteBook often expose this setting directly in BIOS, and some consumer lines do as well. Newer BIOS builds may rename the menu, but the idea stays the same. See the HP Hotkeys/Action Keys page for screenshots and model notes.

Quick Answers For Common Scenarios

I Want F1–F12 Without Holding Fn

Use Fn+Esc to switch, or set Action Keys Mode to off in BIOS so the row acts as classic function keys. Programmers, spreadsheet users, and gamers usually prefer this mode because apps bind a lot of useful shortcuts to F1–F12.

I Want Brightness And Volume On A Single Tap

Leave Action Keys Mode on. Then you can press the icons directly. When an app needs F1–F12, hold Fn for that single action. This setup suits everyday browsing, media, and classroom or meeting use.

My Model Has No Fn+Esc And No BIOS Toggle

Some recent builds ship with the function row fixed to icon-first behavior and hide the firmware toggle. If your BIOS lacks the setting and Fn+Esc doesn’t work, check for a BIOS update from HP. On a few consumer units, the setting returns after updating. If not, you can still use F1–F12 with the Fn key, or remap shortcuts inside your apps to different keys.

Where To Look On The Hardware

Esc Key And The Tiny Lock Icon

When present, the lock symbol under or above Esc signals that Fn+Esc acts as the latch. You won’t see “F Lock” written out. The indicator might be subtle gray, so tilt the keyboard under light to spot it.

The Fn Key Location

The Fn key usually sits at the lower left of the keyboard near Ctrl and the Windows key. That’s the partner for Esc when you use the toggle.

Gaming And Creator Models

Lines like OMEN and ENVY often keep Fn+Esc, and their BIOS still includes a Hotkeys or Action Keys entry.

Close Variant: F Lock Location On HP Laptops—Quick Map

Chromebooks From HP

ChromeOS drops classic function labels in favor of symbols. You can swap the top row to act like F1–F12 in Settings > Device > Keyboard. That option doesn’t mention F Lock by name, yet it achieves the same result: choosing the row’s default role for apps that expect F keys.

Business Lines: ProBook And EliteBook

These usually expose Hotkeys or Action Keys Mode in BIOS. If you run corporate images, your IT policy might lock BIOS menus. In that case, ask your admin to flip the setting, or use Fn with the icons until they do.

Pavilion And Victus

Consumer lines vary. Many still honor Fn+Esc, while some new revisions hide the BIOS toggle. If you can’t find the control, update BIOS from HP’s support page for your exact model, then check again.

Reliable Steps You Can Apply Today

Method 1: Try The Keyboard Toggle

  1. Hold the Fn key.
  2. Tap Esc once.
  3. Test with F5 in a browser or F2 in a spreadsheet.

Method 2: Change It In BIOS

  1. Restart and press Esc repeatedly for the Startup Menu.
  2. Press F10 for BIOS Setup.
  3. Open System Configuration (or a similar keyboard section).
  4. Set Action Keys Mode or Hotkeys to your preference.
  5. Save changes and exit.

Method 3: Update BIOS, Then Recheck

If your menus don’t show Action Keys Mode, install the latest BIOS for your model, restart, and look again. On some builds, an update brings the option back.

Method 4: App Workarounds

If the hardware toggle isn’t available, bind your most-used commands to different keys inside the app. Many IDEs, DAWs, and games let you map actions to numbers or letters, which avoids holding Fn all day.

When The Toggle Seems Broken

Windows Update Changed The Behavior

Large OS updates can rewrite keyboard handling. If your keys flipped after an upgrade, open BIOS and confirm the setting still matches your preference. If it does, switch it, save, reboot, then switch back. That resets the firmware flag and clears odd states.

Drivers Went Out Of Sync

Open Device Manager and reinstall the keyboard device. A quick reboot refreshes the filter driver that routes icon actions like brightness and volume. If the icons stop while F1–F12 still work, reinstall HP hotkey support from your model’s driver page.

External Keyboards

USB boards label the toggle differently. Some ship a physical F Lock key; others use Fn+Esc. The BIOS setting on the laptop won’t change a desktop board’s own toggle, so check the external keyboard’s manual.

Why HP Uses Fn Lock Instead Of A Dedicated Key

Space is tight on modern notebook layouts. Rather than add a new switch, HP keeps the top row lean and relies on the Fn+Esc pair or a simple firmware choice. The approach avoids accidental presses and keeps the keyboard clean while still giving you control over how the row behaves.

Pros And Cons Of Each Default

Icon-First (Action Keys Mode)

  • One-tap volume, brightness, mic mute, and wireless.
  • Great for meetings and class.
  • Requires Fn for F1–F12 in pro apps and games.

F1–F12 First (Standard Function Mode)

  • One-tap app shortcuts like refresh, rename, and debug.
  • Ideal for editors, coders, and some titles.
  • Requires Fn for icon actions like audio and display.

Troubleshooting Quick Checks

  • Peek at Esc for the tiny lock graphic.
  • Test Fn+Esc, then try F5 or F2 to confirm the state.
  • Enter BIOS and look for Action Keys Mode or Hotkeys.
  • Install the newest BIOS if the menu is missing.
  • Reinstall HP hotkey support if icons stop working.

Function Row Behavior By Model Family

Family Toggle Location Notes
Pavilion / Victus Fn+Esc; BIOS on many units BIOS updates can add or rename the menu.
ENVY / Spectre Fn+Esc; BIOS usually present Look under System Configuration or Keyboard.
OMEN Fn+Esc; BIOS present Software layers don’t change the toggle logic.
ProBook / EliteBook BIOS Hotkeys or Action Keys Mode IT policies can lock the menu.
Chromebook ChromeOS Keyboard settings Swap top-row behavior inside Settings.
External USB Varies by keyboard Some boards have a physical F Lock.

Set It Once And Move On

Now that you know where HP hides the switch, set the behavior that matches your daily tasks and leave it there. If you share a machine, keep Fn+Esc in mind for a quick flip. Either way, the path is short: keyboard latch on many models, or a BIOS menu named Action Keys Mode or Hotkeys on the rest. For documentation, see the two HP pages linked earlier.

Model-Specific Tips That Save Time

ENVY And Spectre Shortcuts

On many premium thin-and-light units, Fn+Esc flips the row and the BIOS menu sits under System Configuration. If your BIOS looks sparse, switch to Advanced view first, then check for Hotkeys.

OMEN And Victus Extras

Gaming models often bundle vendor apps. Those apps can map macros, but they don’t change the Fn+Esc latch. Use the hardware toggle for the row state, then set per-game binds in the app.

When To Contact HP

If the Esc key shows a lock, yet Fn+Esc never flips, and your BIOS lacks any Hotkeys or Action Keys entry even after an update, reach out to HP with your exact model number and BIOS version. That helps the agent confirm whether your board omits the toggle by design or needs a firmware fix.