m17 R3, Fn+F7 keys do not work anymore

Only got this laptop for 1 week, so not a big deal to reset it -> factory reset, using an image I created just after unboxing, solved the problem.

I had the same issue with mine but since I had bought it from a reseller, they didn't want to offer support. Sad! It has to do with their application and not the laptop itself. Nonetheless, nothing fixed it so I sold my m17 R3. I'm not about to reset Windows for a Dell bug. They can fix this.

I read elsewhere that the same is happening now to many users on the m17 R4 as well.

Dell doesn't seem to be eager to fix this. Meanwhile, Lenovo, Asus (supported models), MSI, etc., all have that switch both in their control center or in BIOS.

And, Alienware only has it as an fn command, lol, why? And, it also uses the buggy and horrible Windows notification system! This is not a phone, this is a computer. We need it as a setting in the barren and empty Alienware Command Center. Add more features! Ability to switch between "dim, light, dark" using fn commands, and not just dark and light. Fan profiles switch, max fan, Etc.

By the way, I have an MSI GE76 now and it works fine on it on latest Windows. I can switch between discrete and hybrid/optimus anytime in the software, so this is Dell not updating their software for the latest Windows.

They need to add it into the Alienware Command Center (ACC) AND the BIOS. No more OnScreen Display updates but instead software updates. fn+f7 should open ACC and not provide a notification for optimus. How many times do you switch optimus? Besides, you need to restart to use it, might as well open the software instead, which is useful.

Edit:

fn+f7: open ACC.
fn+f6 (current Windows key lock/unlock): instead, make it change between fan profiles. Super important.

Windows key lock should be inside of ACC as an option instead, to make use of the fn+ commands and make them more useful.

fn+esc: lock secondary functions, like most other gaming laptops. Important feature missing. Even G series has it. Not fair to go to BIOS to change that in Alienware.

fn+AlienFX: cycle through all available backlight modes, not just Light/Dark. Also, why is it so far? Can't reach it with one hand. Dell really needs to improve the location of keyboard shortcuts. Same with screen brightness, too far. Volume should be far and brightness and kb backlight closer, because touchpad can have the 4 finger or 3 finger gesture to change volume.

The above missing features are why I sold my Alienware. If they can bring those features, and potentially add hotkeys in future models like Asus does (which all laptops should do and STOP removing them (simplicity is NOT better)), then I would buy Alienware again (and please no more inverted motherboards and soldered components). I don't mind a 2-4 mm thicker Alienware if they can improve airflow and temps. Not a fan of thin designs.

Well there's a new update to the Alienware OSD on the Dell Support site, 1.7.6.0, A02. Unfortunately, when you launch the app it automatically directs you to the Windows Store version 1.7.3 and doesn't update anything! 

What a mess. Someone tell support they need to update the Windows Store version of this app. @DELL-Cares 

Well, right now that I am needing that function to be enabled, I noticed it is disabled!!!

I have an m15 R3. 

So some nasty Windows update destroyed that function? Not Fair!! 

Let's place blame where it belongs. Dell, in their infinite wisdom, coded a core functionality to only be accessible via a UWP app and by no other means, and instead of keeping it up to date, they wait for 6+ months of complete non-functionality to provide an update to make it compatible with what is not even the most recent Windows 10 build, and they can't even do that right, since they didn't update the actual package that's distributed through MS Store.

It appears they finally posted bits for 1.7.6.0 on the MS Store, so you should be able to update through there, and DUP will also point to the right version.

Yes, it is working back again... 

But, I dont know if you guys have the same issue, but when I run the system in Optimus mode, my battery last way less than in Performance mode, and the battery and the system get really hot. 

My system used to worked fine in Optimus, with average 6 hours of battery power, now it is a little more than an hour. But in Performance mode, all fine, no battery or system overheating and the battery last the regular 2 hours and a little more that it used to last before we had the problem with the Alienware OSD.

I am already working this situation with Alienware support, I'll let you know in case of any update. 

Does anyone of you noticed something similar?

Hi,

how did you managed to make it work? Because I got an error when launching OSD "This Platform is Not supported":

I have M17 R4 and Win 10 Pro 20H2 19042.985

In reply to my own comment about the issue with Optimus not running correctly. 

I worked on some research and the issue I have been experiencing is known to have happened before with Optimus function. It seems the issue is caused by Windows software doing some funny interaction with the Nvidia driver, after some Windows Updates. 

Anyway, if anyone of you is experiencing the same situation I described in my previous comment, the solution is simple: Reset the Windows Power Plans to default settings. Delete any power plan created by you and reset the standard one that is preset by Windows. That should resolve the problem. I have done it since 3 years ago, and it did it for me in my M15 R3. 

In case of any question, let me know. 

That's is weird. Check in the compatibility info, does it say M17 R4?

As far as I know, the R3 and R4 does not share certain softwares.