The top row function keys (volume control F11 and F12 and brightness F1 and F2 especially) have stopped working on my macbook recently! I haven't even had it a year. This is worrying me! What can I do? Thank you!
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.6)
Show the onscreen keyboard:
Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Language & Text -> Input Source -> Keyboard & Character Viewer
Than you have a icon in the tool bar near the Spotlight and Clock. Click on it an open "Show Keyboard Viewer". Press a key on the keyboard and have a look if the key is highlighted in the onscreen keyboard. If it's not recognized there is something wrong with the keyboard.
If it highlights, maybe it's a setting. Is it working, when you're pressing the "fn" key + the top row key? The settings for that could be changed in
Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Keyboard -> "Use F1 - F12 keys to control software features".
Perhaps you have already solved this. But for other imac bluetooth keyboard u sers:
Keyboards for MAC OS X have a very economical programming for use of keys.
1. Keys do not produce the letters on your screen, or at least one does not. GO to System preferences, Speech, click on Key to enable speech, and if it is a normal character, change it to a combination like option plus + sign. Using a normal character alone to to this enjabling, nullifies its use as a character!
2. All your function keys do not respond! If you have tghe new bluetooth keybord, this has a dual function. Top row can be the ordinary function keys. And if you want the functions indicated by the ikons, just press fn plus the ikon you want. OR in Systems preferences, Keyboard, unclick 'enable all function keys to work normally' and these will revert to the functions indicated by their ikons. Then to use the function int he ordinary way, press fn and the desired function key. All of above is clearly explained in mac user:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3399
Impala
My same keys have stoped working! I purchased my macbook pro a year ago as well and have not spilled anything on it either. Did you recently download the new OS X mountain lion? I did, and I think that's when they stopped working. Apparently there is an update already, I'll install it and let you know if that fixes the issue.
Did you spill anything on it?
Thank you so much! I tried that- and they didn't highlight. 😟 That really *****.
I've never spilled anything on it- I've kept super good care of it! That's why I'm so worried! It's also become glitchy, and it takes a long time to load. Super weird! Thanks for your help!!
It's a MacBook, not a bluetooth keyboard, `impala.
My Macbook's function keys aren't working either. However I can't solve it based on the advice above because my System Preferences won't open... Any suggestions?
Reboot.
Repair permissions
Clear caches
Chris
The update works 🙂
Top row function keys aren't responding!
