How To Use Multimedia and Function Keys on Dell External Keyboards

Dell offers two types of external multimedia keyboards which typically combine the [F1].[F12] with a multimedia function such as mute, increase volume, lower volume, and so on.

• Type 1: Dell Multimedia Keyboard with media functions as "primary" and [F1][F12] as "secondary."
  • Wireless keyboards: Dell Pro Keyboard KB500, Dell Pro Plus Keyboard KB700, Dell Pro Plus Compact Keyboard KB740, Dell Pro Keyboard and Mouse KM5221W, Dell Pro Plus Compact Keyboard and Mouse KM7120W and Dell Pro Plus Keyboard and Mouse KM7321W

  

  Figure 1: Dell Multimedia Keyboard Part Number Dell Pro Keyboard and Mouse KM5221W

• Type 2: Dell Multimedia Keyboard with [F1][F12] as "primary" and media functions as "secondary"
  • Wired keyboard: KB216
  • Wireless keyboards: KM117, KM3322W

  

  Figure 2: Dell Wired Keyboard KB216

Type 1 Keyboard Usage:

Function Keys:

• Primary:
  • Pressing [F1].[F12] activates the multimedia function (that is KM5221W: Pressing [F1] enables Mute).
• Secondary:
  • Pressing [FN]+[F1].[F12] keys activates the traditional F# function (that is Dell Pro Keyboard and Mouse KM5221W: Pressing [FN]+[F1] activates Help).
• Exception:
  • Any F# keys without media icons (that is KM5221W: [F4] key) behaves as traditional function keys regardless of the primary or secondary mode.

To Swap:

• To swap the Primary and Secondary functions, press [FN]+[Esc].
• To swap it back, press [FN]+[Esc] once again.

For Dell Computers That Need To Enter BIOS Mode:

• Default Method:
  • When the Dell logo appears, press-and-hold [FN]+[F2] until the BIOS screen appears.
• Optional Method:
  • At the operating system ready screen, press [FN]+[Esc], reboot, and press-and-hold [F2] when the Dell logo appears.

Alt Functions For Windows:
 

• Default: Press [FN]+[Alt]+[F4].
• Optional method: Press [FN+[Esc] to switch between primary and secondary, then press [Alt]+[F4].

Type 2 Keyboard Usage:

Function Keys:

• Primary:
  • Pressing [F1].[F12] activates the traditional F# function (KB216: Pressing [F1] activates Help).
• Secondary:
  • Pressing [Alt]+[F1].[F12] activates the multimedia function (KB216: Pressing [Alt]+[F1] activates Sleep mode).
• Exception:
  • Any F# keys with no media icons (that is KB216 [F2] key) behave as traditional function keys regardless of the primary or secondary mode.

To swap:

• To swap Primary and Secondary functions, press [FN]+[Esc].
• To swap it back, press [FN]+[Esc] again.
• Exception:
  • On KB216, when pressing [FN]+[Esc] multimedia keys (that is [F1] for sleep) both primary and secondary modes are enabled.

For Dell Computers That Need To Enter BIOS Mode:

• Default method:
  • Press and hold [F2].

Alt Functions For Windows:

• Default:
  • Press [Alt]+[F4].