On most laptops, F5 sits on the top row; if media icons replace it, press Fn+F5 or use Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac) to refresh.
The F5 label usually lives in the function row above the number keys. Some makers swap those labels with speaker, brightness, or other icons. In that case, you can still trigger the same action with a simple shortcut or an Fn toggle. This guide shows where to spot the label across brands, how to switch modes so the function row acts like classic F1–F12, and which refresh keys work when the label isn’t visible.
What The F5 Button Does
In browsers and many apps, F5 reloads the current view. A plain press performs a standard reload. A modified press (like Ctrl+F5 or Shift+F5) asks the app to fetch files again instead of using cached ones. In Microsoft Edge and most Windows apps, F5 equals “Reload.” On Chrome, the shortcut list also maps “Reload” to F5 or Ctrl+R, with “Hard reload” on Ctrl+Shift+R or Ctrl+F5. Mac keyboards place the refresh action on Command+R in most browsers. You’ll see the official shortcut lists here: Edge keyboard shortcuts and Chrome keyboard shortcuts (standard and hard reload details are in both).
Find The F5 Button On Different Laptops
Windows Notebooks (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, Microsoft Surface)
Most Windows keyboards print F1–F12 in the top row. When that row shows speaker, mic, sun, or airplane icons instead, the board runs in “media first” mode. You can still call the function value in two ways:
- Hold Fn and press the top-row key that corresponds to F5.
- Toggle the keyboard so the function row acts as F1–F12 by default. Many models use Fn+Esc as a quick “Fn Lock.” Others expose a setting in BIOS/UEFI or the brand’s utility app.
Brand tips:
- Surface Type Cover: Top-row special keys double as F1–F12 when you press Fn with them; there’s also an Fn lock. Microsoft outlines this in its Surface keyboard guide.
- HP: Many models ship with “Action keys” on by default. You can switch behavior in BIOS or with an Fn toggle; HP’s doc calls out the printed icons and mode change.
- Lenovo: Use Fn+Esc to flip Hotkey Mode, or adjust in BIOS; Lenovo has a support note on this.
- Dell: Dell exposes a Function Lock option in BIOS and supports Fn toggles on many keyboards.
Mac Laptops
Mac notebooks place a row of keys labeled with icons for brightness, Mission Control, media, and so on. You can still use F1–F12 as classic functions when needed:
- Hold Fn to make the row act as F1–F12 temporarily.
- Turn on “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” in System Settings to swap the default. Apple provides the exact steps for current and earlier macOS versions.
- MacBook Pro with Touch Bar shows virtual F1–F12 when you hold Fn, and you can pin them for specific apps. Apple documents both options.
On macOS, the refresh action in browsers is Command+R. For a hard reload, use Command+Shift+R (Chrome and Edge on Mac list the same).
Chromebooks
Chromebooks replace classic function labels with symbols. The refresh symbol is a circular arrow in the top row. If your model doesn’t show that symbol, ChromeOS still supports Ctrl+R for reload. Google’s shortcut page confirms the mapping and the hard-reload combo Ctrl+Shift+R.
Quick Ways To Reload Without The Label
If the top row is mapped to volume or brightness, you don’t need to change modes just to reload a browser tab. These keys work everywhere:
- Windows and Linux: Ctrl+R (reload), Ctrl+Shift+R or Ctrl+F5 (hard reload).
- macOS: Command+R (reload), Command+Shift+R (hard reload in Chrome and Edge).
- ChromeOS: Ctrl+R (reload), Ctrl+Shift+R (hard reload).
How To Switch Function Row Behavior
If you’d like F1–F12 to act as primary keys again, use these maker-approved options:
Use The Fn Lock
Many laptops include a lock on the Esc key. Press Fn+Esc once to flip the mode. Lenovo documents the toggle; similar behavior exists on many other brands.
Change BIOS/UEFI Setting
Vendors expose a “Function key behavior” or “Action keys” setting in firmware. On HP and Dell, this menu lets you choose media-first or function-first. This is helpful if you always want F1–F12 without holding Fn.
Mac System Setting
Open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Function Keys, then turn on “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys.” Apple lists the path and the older System Preferences path as well.
Spotting The Label On Common Layouts
Here’s how the top row looks across typical designs:
- Classic Windows layout: Printed F1–F12 above numbers. F5 sits directly above the number 5.
- Media-first Windows layout: Icons across the row. Small F1–F12 labels may sit in a corner of each key. Press Fn to get the function value.
- Mac layout: Icons by default; hold Fn or flip the setting so the row acts as F1–F12.
- Chromebook layout: Symbol-only row; the circular arrow equals refresh.
Copy-Ready Shortcuts You Can Use Now
Reload A Page
Windows/Linux: Ctrl + R
macOS: Command + R
ChromeOS: Ctrl + R
Hard Reload (Bypass Cache)
Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + R or Ctrl + F5
macOS: Command + Shift + R
ChromeOS: Ctrl + Shift + R
Flip Function Row Mode
Many Lenovo: Fn + Esc (Hotkey Mode toggle)
HP/Dell: Firmware menu > Function Key Behavior (set to Function First)
Surface: Fn + top-row key (press Fn to lock/unlock)
Mac: System Settings > Keyboard > Function Keys > Use F1, F2, etc.
When The Top Row Still Won’t Act Like F1–F12
If the key press does nothing, try these checks:
- Firmware setting: Look for “Action keys” or “Function key behavior” and set it to function-first on Windows laptops. HP and Dell document this path.
- Fn lock: Tap Fn+Esc to switch modes on many keyboards. Lenovo covers this in its support notes.
- Driver/utility: Some makers ship a keyboard package that controls the row. Reinstall from the vendor’s support page if keys feel unresponsive.
- App-level mapping: Test in a browser tab first. If the key works there but not in a game or editor, that app may bind F5 to a different action.
Brand-By-Brand Cheatsheet
The quick reference below shows where the label lives, the usual press to trigger a reload, and the best backup shortcut if you can’t find it.
| Brand | Where You’ll See It | Fastest Reload If Label Is Hidden |
|---|---|---|
| Dell / HP / Lenovo / Asus / Acer | Top row; may show media icons with a small F5 mark | Ctrl+R (standard) or Ctrl+Shift+R / Ctrl+F5 (hard) |
| Microsoft Surface | Top row on Type Cover; press Fn to access F1–F12 | Ctrl+R (standard) or Ctrl+Shift+R / Ctrl+F5 (hard) |
| Apple MacBook | Top row icons; press Fn for F1–F12 or enable standard keys | Command+R (standard) or Command+Shift+R (hard) |
| Chromebook | Top row circular arrow symbol for refresh | Ctrl+R (standard) or Ctrl+Shift+R (hard) |
Extra Tips For Power Users
Know When You Need A Hard Reload
Web apps can keep old files in cache. If a page looks stuck or styles load wrong, use a hard reload. Edge calls this “Reload the current tab, ignoring cached content” on Shift+F5 or Ctrl+F5. Chrome lists the same outcome on Ctrl+Shift+R or Ctrl+F5.
Map The Row To Match Your Work
If you press refresh often during testing, switching the row to function-first can save time. Use the quick Fn+Esc toggle where supported, or set the firmware option on models that offer it. Lenovo and HP document both paths.
Mac Users Running Windows
Boot Camp exposes a setting that pins F1–F12 on the Touch Bar or top row when needed, so you can tap a labeled F5 while testing in Windows. Apple’s guide explains how to make function keys appear while using Windows.
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
- Try the backup: Use the reload shortcut for your system even if the label is missing.
- Flip the mode: Tap Fn+Esc once.
- Check firmware: Switch “Action keys” off so F1–F12 are primary on brands that offer it.
- Update utilities: Install or update the maker’s keyboard package if the row never responds.
- Test another app: Confirm the key in a browser; a game or editor may bind it differently.
Why You Sometimes Don’t See The Label
Laptop makers use the same top row for two jobs: system controls and classic function keys. Media-first layouts help with volume and brightness during daily use, while function-first layouts help in development tools, office apps, and games that map F1–F12. The label can be tiny, placed in a corner, or hidden entirely on symbol-only rows. That’s why the backup shortcuts above are valuable across all designs.
Bottom Line For Everyday Use
You don’t need the printed label to reload a tab. Press the system shortcut that matches your platform, and you’ll get the same result as a labeled F5. If your work relies on function keys, switch the row to function-first so those actions live under a single tap, then keep the hard-reload combo in your muscle memory for cache-related hiccups.