Magic Dual-function keys

Dual-function keys

Some keys on the keyboard are dual-function keys. Each of such keys can provide two functions: the primary function and the secondary function. Most dual-function keys are located in the top row of the keyboard though several letter keys and the Space key are also dual-function keys.

The primary function of a dual-function key is accessed by pressing the key directly and the secondary function is accessed by pressing the key while holding down the Fn key.

Note: The Fn key is located in the lower left corner on a Lenovo keyboard.

Hotkeys

Hotkeys are dual-function keys with an icon printed on the key. The icons indicate the hidden functions of the hotkeys. To use the hidden function, hold down the Fn key and press one of the hotkeys.

Hotkey Function
It is an icon about the volume indicating the function of muting or unmuting sound. Mute/Unmute sound.
It is an icon about the volume indicating the function of decreasing or increasing the system volume. Decrease/Increase system volume.
It is an icon about the sound indicating the function of muting or unmuting the microphone. Mute/Unmute the microphone.
It is an icon about the brightness indicating the function of increasing or decreasing the screen brightness. Increase/Decrease screen brightness.
It is an icon indicating the function of switching display devices. Switch display devices.
It is an icon indicating the function of turning airplane mode on or off. Turn airplane mode on and off.
It is an icon of Lenovo Smart Key indicating the function of opening a shortcut tool bar. Open a shortcut tool bar.
It is an icon about the touchpad indicating the function of enabling of disabling the touchpad. Enable/Disable the touchpad.
It is an icon indicating the function of displaying thumbnails of all open apps. Display thumbnails of all open apps.
It is an icon about the calculator indicating the function of opening the Windows Calculator app. Open the Windows Calculator app.
It is an icon about the snipping tool indicating the function of opening the Windows Snipping tool. Open the Windows Snipping tool.
It is an icon about the media indicating the function of playing or pausing playback of media. Play or pause playback of media.
It is an icon about the media indicating the function of stopping playback of media. Stop playback of media.
It is an icon about the media indicating the function of playing the previous media file. Go to the previous media file in the playlist or folder.
It is an icon about the media indicating the function of playing the next media file. Go the next media file in the playlist or folder.
Note: The media control hotkeys do not function for all apps.
It is an icon about the lighting effects indicating the function of adjusting the pre-configured lighting effects. Cycle through factory pre-configured lighting effects.
It is an icon about the brightness indicating the function of increasing or decreasing the brightness of the keyboard backlight.* Increase/decrease the brightness of the keyboard, and perimeter LEDs. You can turn these LEDs completely off by using the decrease hotkey several times.

* For selected models

Dual-function keys without printed icons

Some dual-function keys share keys with letter keys and numeric keys. Such keys do not have a dedicated printed icon. The following table lists the secondary functions for these keys.

Key combination Hidden function
Fn + B Break
Fn + P Pause
Fn + S SysRq
Fn + K ScrLk
Fn + R* Switches between high and low screen refresh rate
Fn + Q Switches operation modes
Fn + N Shows device information

*available on selected models

The FnLock switch

The FnLock is a switch that reverses the primary and secondary functions of top-row dual-function keys. The FnLock switch shares the ESC key (in the upper left corner of the keyboard). To turn it on or off, press Fn + ESC. The following table provides an example of how the FnLock switch changes the default function of the F1 key.

FnLock FnLock light Primary function of the F1 key
Off Off F1 function *
On On Mute/Unmute sound

* The F1 function is application-dependent. It may have no function if the active application does not have a definition for the key.