My F1-F12 keys aren't working, do I need an update?

The top row of keys sometimes don't behave at all on some Macs. The question has come if there is an update to solve this issue. Since 2010, there has not been no update to address the F-key functionality except on Macs with a touchbar on the top row. For those without, there is a key called FN that appears on many stand alone and built-in laptop keyboards in the bottom left. If you have this key, Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Keyboard has a dialog similar to this one below:

The last item in this panel Discusses F-keys or F1, F2 keys and FN key. This checkbox will either activate or deactivate the requirement to hold the FN key with the F key to activate the F key.