FN key not working on Apple Wireless Keyboard

Question

FN key not working on Apple Wireless Keyboard

EDIT: Found the culprit: USB Overdrive was taking over the external keyboard. After disabling USB Overdrive for the keyboard, the FN key started working again.

I have Macbook Air (Mid 2013) connected to a Cinema Display and Apple Wireless Keyboard. MBA is running the latest Yosemite (10.10).

I tried using FN + Delete on the wireless keyboard to forward delete but it didn't work, it just deleted. I tried other keyboard shortcuts that require the use of FN key, and none of them work either. But when I try these directly on the MBA's keyboard, the FN key works perfectly there, just not on the wireless keyboard.

I've removed the bluetooth keyboard and tried reconnecting, restarting computer, login out and back in. Nothing works. Anyone have any ideas?

Message was edited by: Isko Salminen

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Nov 11, 2014 5:50 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 2, 2014 9:28 AM in response to Isko Salminen

I got the same issue here as well, OS X 10.9.2 with Apple Bluetooth Keyboard + Logitech Mouse power by USB Overdrive; the latest version of USB Overdrive will cause bluetooth keyboard FN key to become non-functional.

Simply uninstall the USB Overdrive 3.1 and re-install with USB Overdrive 3.0.2, will solve your problem.

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,215 points

Dec 2, 2014 4:26 PM in response to Isko Salminen

If you post again and mark your post as solved, it might help others.

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Answer 3

wrrn

Level 1

9 points

Jan 12, 2015 9:10 PM in response to Isko Salminen

Yes, as isko says, you have to uncheck the [Settings>Any Keyboard] option in the USB Overdive pref pane. No need to downgrade to the older version. I ran around in circles for two hours trying to determine the problem.

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Answer 4

wjcw

Level 1

0 points

May 4, 2015 12:02 PM in response to wrrn

I disabled "Any Keyboard, Any Application" and "Any Other, Any Application" but I still could not use my Fn key on my Apple Wireless Keyboard. Uninstalling (removing the driver) restored Fn key functionality. In addition downgrading from 3.1 to 3.0.2 on Yosemite also solved this issue.

Did you actually try what you wrote?

I should also note that the Fn key on my rMBP's internal keyboard works with 3.1, oddly enough, but the Apple Wireless Keyboard's Fn key does not.

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Answer 5

wrrn

Level 1

9 points

May 4, 2015 4:21 PM in response to wjcw

Yes, I did exactly what I wrote and it worked for me. I'm using an Apple wireless keyboard (w/o the number pad).

Sorry to hear it's not working for you.

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Answer 6

wjcw

Level 1

0 points

May 4, 2015 4:59 PM in response to wrrn

My computer is running Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10.3. What specific model is your Apple Wireless Keyboard? Mine is A1314. I wonder what else could be causing this difference.

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Answer 7

wrrn

Level 1

9 points

May 4, 2015 5:08 PM in response to wjcw

I also have the A1314, but I'm running OSX 10.10.2. (Am holding off on .3 until FCPX issues get resolved.)

We could compare other USBoverdrive settings to see if anything is different.

The only enabled setting I have is the Any Mouse, Any Application.

Advanced settings has nothing check marked (ticked).

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Answer 8

wjcw

Level 1

0 points

May 4, 2015 6:36 PM in response to wrrn

My settings for the Any X, Any Application categories are the default, except I had disabled all of them, and still experienced the issue. I think it's very plausible there was a change in 10.10.3.

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Answer 9

wrrn

Level 1

9 points

May 4, 2015 6:53 PM in response to wjcw

I'm guessing there's some other issue going on. Please post if if you discover what's happening.

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