Using the F4 Microphone Mute Function Key on Latitude and Precision Computers

Summary: The following article provides information about how to use the F4 function shortcut correctly. The F4 key on Latitude and Precision laptops controls the microphone's mute function.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Mute the microphone using the F4 function key on Latitude and Precision laptops

 

Owners of a Dell Latitude laptop or Precision mobile workstation have the option of muting the microphone using a keyboard shortcut.

Note: This includes the integrated onboard microphone and any microphone that has been connected to the laptop.
 

Enable Mute using the keyboard:

There are two keyboard shortcuts to enable mute using the function F4 key:

  • Press the Fn and F4 keys simultaneously to mute the microphone. (A Light Emitting Diode (LED) on the F4 key lights up to show it has been activated.)
  • You can press the F4 key to mute the microphone, if the Fn lock has been set in the BIOS. (The LED lights up on the key to show it is in use.)

There is an LED on the F4 to show when it has been activated.

Table.1: Function F4 Status
Microphone Type F4 key Enabled F4 key Disabled
LED Status Mic Status LED Status Mic Status
Integrated Laptop Microphone On Mute Off Un-Mute
External Microphone using a USB, Audio Jack, Combi-Jack, or Mic Jack connection On Mute Off Un-Mute
Wireless Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Microphone On Mute Off Un-Mute

You can use the same keyboard shortcuts to turn the Mute off. (The LED on the F4 goes off to show it is no longer activated.)

Troubleshooting advice:

Note: It is common for people to call in to Dell support stating that their microphone does not work. The first troubleshooting step owners of Latitude and Precision mobile devices are asked is to check if the LED on the function F4 key is lit.
The following Dell Technologies Support Library guide covers if you are looking for a microphone troubleshooting article and your F4 key LED is OFF:
 

Affected Products:

The following Dell products are sold with this functionality:

  • All Latitude Laptops that are available for purchase (Exceptions are possible, check your laptops manual to confirm the laptops keyboard has this function.)
  • All Precision Mobile Workstations that are available for purchase (Exceptions are possible, check your laptops manual to confirm the laptops keyboard has this function.)
  • The XPS 9315 Laptop

Affected Products

Mobile Workstations, Latitude 7030 Rugged Extreme Tablet, Latitude 5290 2-in-1, Latitude 5290, Latitude 7200 2-in-1, Latitude 7210 2-in-1, Latitude 7220EX Rugged Extreme Tablet, Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet, Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet , Latitude 7290, Latitude 5300 2-in-1, Latitude 5300, Latitude 5310 2-in-1, Latitude 5310, Latitude 5320, Latitude 5330, Latitude 5340, Latitude 5350, Latitude 7300, Latitude 7310, Latitude 7320, Latitude 7320 Detachable, Latitude 7330, Latitude 7330 Rugged Extreme, Latitude 7340, Latitude 7350, Latitude 7350 Detachable, Latitude 7390 2-in-1, Latitude 7390, Latitude 5400, Latitude 5401, Latitude 5410, Latitude 5411, Latitude 5420 Rugged, Latitude 5421, Latitude 5424 Rugged, Latitude 5430 Rugged, Latitude 5431, Latitude 5440, Latitude 5450, Latitude 5490, Latitude 5491, Latitude 7400 2-in-1, Latitude 7400, Latitude 7410, Latitude 7420, Latitude 7424 Rugged Extreme, Latitude 7430, Latitude 7450, Latitude 7490, Latitude 5500, Latitude 5501, Latitude 5510, Latitude 5511, Latitude 5520, Latitude 5521, Latitude 5530, Latitude 5531, Latitude 5540, Latitude 5550, Latitude 5590, Latitude 5591, Latitude 7520, Latitude 7530, Latitude 7650, Latitude 5420, Latitude 5430, XPS 13 9315 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000226243
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 08 Oct 2024
Version:  2
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