Fn key not working on all Function keys after Update; way to assign?

NikolaiDante · 17 Jun 2017

Following the latest 10 update today my Samsung laptop has lost 'Fn + Function key' control of brightness, screen switching, and wifi on/off. It still has all the volumes and print screen working. The update deleted Samsung Easy Settings, which won't re-install because of the incompatabilty error message. There is no newer version as far as I can tell.

Is there a way to manually assign the Function keys (in their Fn + Function key mode) to get these controls back again? I've searched here and online but can't find the answer to manually assigning the keys as there are too many similar questions. I don't want to change already-assigned Function key actions, just recover the ones mentioned, in Fn + Function mode.

Thanks.

Caledon Ken · 17 Jun 2017

Hi NikolaiDante

The have been several postings on losing Brightness control from Function keys.

I personally experienced on my HP Probooks and an older HP. I lost all capability to control Brightness, even in Settings.

You might try re-installing the software in Compatibility mode. Right click on the exe, then Properties, then Compatibilty tab.

While it may let you install the fact that I can't control it in settings suggests that this problem is much deeper in code. I can't even change in Catalyst Control Center.

Any chance your device is using AMD drivers?

Can you control Brightness in Settings? Right click on Desktop, then Display Settings.

Ken

NikolaiDante · 17 Jun 2017

Thanks Ken. I didn't try Compatability Mode because the drop-down menu of versions only goes up to 8. As it was working fine on 10 before today's update I didn't think that was worth it. Just old software which Samsung have left behind, I guess.

Yes, I can make changes through Settings but it's a bit of a pain having those extra steps. (Today's First World problem...) Also the wifi light is constantly on even if the wifi is switched off through Settings which is annoying as I usually have wifi off. Also annoying that I have a machine which has been working well for the last six months or so, and now thanks to a Microsoft update it's not.

I found lots of info about assigning hot keys, software to do it, etc, but I was hoping I could learn how to assign Fn + Function keys from scratch. Maybe not so straightforward?

dalchina · 18 Jun 2017

Hi, you should be able to emulate that using Autohotkey and nircmd (free) if you can't get your utility to work.
You'd need just two lines of script- a label to assign the hotkey, and the command, one for up, one for down.

This would be comparatively straightforward except you'd have to find the code to use for your particular keyboard for the Fn + key combination. Guide here:
laptop - Map to screen brightness using AutoHotKey? - Super User

Nircmd utility here (very powerful, small):
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd2.html#using

Fn key not working on all Function keys after Update; way to assign?-chng-brightness.jpg

This requires you to do a bit of work reading Autohotkey help, and experimenting and discovering your key code(s).

However a much easier way to deal with screen brightness is to use Volumouse (free): one key of your choice + scroll wheel.

Fn key not working on all Function keys after Update; way to assign?-2.jpg

NikolaiDante · 18 Jun 2017

Thanks dalchini, I'll have a look at those.