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How to do Fn Lock on Dell Wireless Keyboard KM5221W so F1 - F12 keys work normally?
Just got three new Dell PCs - one Precision 3660 Tower and two Optiplex 7000 Towers. Per my orders, all three came with the Dell wireless keyboard and mouse model KM5221W (the box label says KM5221WBKB-US).
On all three, in order to use the normal F1 through F12 keys, I must also hold down the Fn key.
For example, to close a document in Word, hitting only CTRL + F4 does not work. Instead, I need to do Fn + CTRL + F4.
This is way wrong.
How do I reverse this situation?
According to How-To Geek, there should be an "Fn Lock" option that is the same as holding the Fn key down all the time. See https://www.howtogeek.com/235351/how-to-choose-whether-your-function-keys-are-f1-f12-keys-or-special-keys/
Will this work on my Dell? How exactly do I try this Fn Lock on my Pcs and this model keyboard?
Thanks.
glnz
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August 7th, 2022 14:00
Update and better news.
Fn+Esc has worked to return my F1 - F12 keys to normal function. CTRL+F4 now closes a doc in Word or Excel, and ALT+F4 now closes (exits from) Word or Excel,, in both cases with no need to hit the Fn key.
I have not inspected the new (to me) BIOSes for any kind of related POST election, but as of now, there is no need.
I'm dismayed that Dell set these wireless keyboards to require the Fn key for normal F1 - F12 operation (and without any warning or literature anywhere, including on Dell's web sites), and it took a big chunk of four days (and most of this summer weekend) to get to the bottom of this, but at least and at last I made progress. Since we've spent approx. $6,000 on our three new PCs, I am quite angry about it.
In so many ways, Dell just can't help its customers who didn't spend eight years in college studying computers, even if we did spend fourteen + years on our own pickling up needed skills. I'm happy to have made progress on this issue, but really frustrated by a complete lack of ergonomic thinking by Dell.
This might also have helped with my second issue, at https://www.dell.com/community/Optiplex-Desktops/NUM-Lock-goes-on-and-off-by-itself-in-response-to-unrelated/m-p/8246747/emcs_t/S2h8ZW1haWx8dG9waWNfc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9ufEw2SjZLUjFKWEJZQkc3fDgyNDY3NDd8U1VCU0NSSVBUSU9OU3xoSw
speedstep
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August 4th, 2022 03:00
@glnz
Dell Peripheral Manager
DPeM_DNM0M_1.6.0_WN64_A00
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:97fa65abfaae278495665f6c42cd5a99
SHA1:f14fd8ccb480f9736f1809b07f8268855a290c3e
supports the following:
• Pair/unpair devices through RF dongle or Bluetooth.
• Assign shortcuts to customizable action buttons.
• View advanced device information, such as firmware version and
battery status.
• Configure webcam and use its features.
• Upgrade software and device(s) using latest updates.
Dell Peripheral Manager is compatible with the following devices:
• Dell MS3220
• Dell MS3320W
• Dell MS5120W
• Dell MS5320W
• Dell KM7120W (KB7120W, MS5320W)
• Dell KM7321W (KB7221W + MS5320W)
• Dell KM5221W (KB3121W + MS3121W)
• Dell MS7421W
• Dell WB7022
fireberd
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August 4th, 2022 03:00
I saw your tenforums.com posts.
There is a Dell peripheral manager. Have you downloaded and ran this?
Dell Peripheral Manager User's Guide
Support for Dell Pro Wireless Keyboard and Mouse KM5221W | Drivers & Downloads | Dell US
glnz
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August 4th, 2022 09:00
Fireberd and good old Speedstep - thank you both. I will try Peripheral Manager this weekend if Fn + Esc and Fn + Caps Lock don't work and if there is no BIOS setting.
But I'm a bit pessimistic because the Dell literature on Peripheral Manager - at least what I saw online - doesn't seem to address the Fn Lock issue.
As you both had a good suggestion here, please also see my other issue at
https://www.dell.com/community/Optiplex-Desktops/NUM-Lock-goes-on-and-off-by-itself-in-response-to-unrelated/m-p/8245066#M62304
Maybe related to this keyboard?
Thanks.
mico1964
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February 27th, 2023 13:00
I'm reviving this thread just to confirm that this F-key issue also occurs when you boot your PC: you need to press the Fn+F2 or Fn+F12 keys to get into BIOS or boot menu.
gmckinl
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August 7th, 2023 23:00
yes it certainly still does and I spent a week or so fighting/struggling with it and the mouse/kbd hicups getting my new unit set up to dual boot. grrrr