F12 Not Working - Even after common fixes

Question

Hi, I hope someone can help with this.   I want to run the Dell diagnostics on my Inspiron.  F12 was not working to take me to the menu.  I Googled it and found advice on adjusting my Function Key Lock Options.  I restarted the computer, started tapping on F2, and entered BIOS.  I found the Fn Lock Options and disabled Function Lock.  I then tried to access F12 again with no luck.  I also fully played around with the Fn Lock.  I checked the box 'Lock Mode: Disable/Standard' With both the Fn Lock on and off.  No luck.  I checked the box for 'Lock Mode: enable/Secondary' with the Fn Lock on and off.  No luck with all 4 combinations.  I then noticed that when the computer was starting up and the Dell logo would display momentarily, I didnt actually see the prompts for Setup and Boot Menu.  Perhaps it was being missed.  So I again entered BIOS and and extended BIOS Post time to 5 seconds.  Now, when the computer starts up and the Dell logo appears, I am able to see the option for F12.  I have tried tapping on it repeatedly,  holding it down, and using the Fn key with F12, all with no luck.  The F12 option will not engage.   Any advice ??

nyc10036 · Accepted Answer

I suppose it is always possible the F12 key is broke. Try using an external keyboard. And the procedure is to keep tapping the F12 key.

JMan207 · Answer

Dell Inspiron 15

nyc10036 · Answer

which model laptop?

JMan207 · Answer

LOL that was the one thing I was like 'No, it cant be that'.   But yes, an external keyboard worked.  Thanks a bunch

victory phk · Answer

Hi Support,

good morning !..

i had one Dell Optiplex 9020 all-in-one got problem with stuck from pressing F12 and then only shown as "preparing one-time boot menu" but this alert still stuck until next day and cannot go to the CMOS mode to change UEFI or Legacy settings. kindly please help me advise what solution to resolve it but i tried to pull out jumper and also cmos battery but result is still the same. thanks

Tomster4 · Answer

You may have accidentally hit the F-lock key. This is like the capslock key, but applies to the function keys. The F-lock key is just to the right of the F12 key, so easy to hit by accident. Its purpose is to assign a second line of functions for the function keys i.e. hit F-Lock key once and it disables the normal F1 to F12 actions, and lets you program new actions into what are now acting as F13 to F24 keys. Tap the F-Lock key again and it returns you to the F1-F12 actions and like magic... F2 and F12 will work again.

Inspiron

F12 Not Working - Even after common fixes

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