Keyboard function keys not working

Question

Level 1

5 points

Keyboard function keys not working

Hi All,

I bought a new Mac, 27"

Which was as an upgrade to my old Mac (which still works perfectly well)

However my old Mac has the Apple (wired) extended keyboard the one with the attached number pad to the right side where as my new Mac doesn't, it only has the short i.e. no number pad keyboard. So I swapped them over.

My problem is this:

The old keyboard attached (via USB) to my new Mac works perfectly fine. All buttons work as they should including functions keys.

My new keyboard which is now connected to my old Mac doesn't work as it should. Basically the function keys don't work, more specifically I can't get my volume or music play keys to work.

Ive been to various forums and most state:

Use the top row of keys on your keyboard to perform built-in features or as standard function keys.

If your Apple keyboard has icons printed on some of the keys on its top row, these keys can be used to perform the special features shown in each icon. They can also be used as standard function keys (F1 through F12). The action performed by standard function keys varies depending on the app you're using, or depending on the keyboard shortcuts listed in the Keyboard & Mouse pane of System Preferences.

By default, pressing one of these keys performs the special feature indicated by the icon printed on the key. For example, pressing the keys with speaker icons adjusts the volume. If you want to use one of these keys as a standard function key, hold the Fn key (usually in the lower left corner of the keyboard) while pressing the function key. Pressing Fn-F10 (speaker icon) performs the function assigned to the F10 key instead of toggling mute on or off.

If you prefer the top row of keys to always behave as standard function keys without holding the Fn key:

Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
From the View menu, choose Keyboard.
Click the Keyboard tab if it is not already selected
Enable "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys."

from Apple support - How to change the behavior of function keys on your Mac - Apple Support

which refers to this setting as seen below:

However my settings don't have this re-set facility.

As such I can't seem to get any of my volume keys, or music play keys to operate.

Can you help please.

Thanks

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.1), iPhone

Posted on Feb 18, 2016 3:25 PM

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Answer 1

Duane

Level 10

124,267 points

Feb 18, 2016 3:35 PM in response to remarked

I'm guessing that your new keyboard is wireless? The official documentation warns that the Magic Trackpad requires a "Bluetooth 4.0-enabled Mac with OS X v10.11 or later".

Your early 2009 iMac does not support Bluetooth 4.0. That was introduced in 2012.

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Answer 2

remarked Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 18, 2016 7:20 PM in response to Duane

Yes, the new keyboard is wireless, that's correct.

The keyboard connects, and all the keys work. The only issue is the F7 - F12 keys will not play music or mute, increase or decrease the volume.

All other functions I have working e.g. F1, F2 for Screen brightness, F3 to show all open apps etc.

I'v got say I'm at a loss as to understand why Bluetooth 4 would make a difference that would only effect my volume keys if everything else is still configurable e.g. mission control Function keys etc.

This is quite a heavily reported problem https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q= volume%20keys%20not%20working%20osx yet there is no clear answer.

Thanks again.

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