Acer Laptop Function Keys List - A Complete Guide - OneSDR

Acer laptops come equipped with a row of function keys (F1 to F12) that can perform a variety of tasks. These keys offer shortcuts for controlling your laptop’s hardware and software settings, making it easier to adjust brightness, volume, or access specific features with just a press of a button.

This guide provides a complete list of Acer function key shortcuts, explaining their default functions and how to use them effectively.

Table of Contents

What Are Function Keys?

Function keys are located at the top row of your Acer keyboard.

Each key, labeled F1 through F12, serves two primary functions:

Standard Function: Specific to software applications (e.g., F5 refreshes a webpage in your browser).
Special Function: Hardware or system-level controls like adjusting volume, brightness, or toggling Wi-Fi.

By default, Acer laptops prioritize special functions. To use standard functions, you may need to press the Fn key (near the bottom-left corner of your keyboard) in combination with the desired function key.

Acer Function Keys List

Here’s a comprehensive list of the special functions tied to the F1–F12 keys on Acer laptops. Note that the exact functionality may vary slightly depending on the model.

F1: Help

Opens the help menu in most applications or systems.
Shortcut to access troubleshooting guides or manuals.

F2: Decrease Screen Brightness

Lowers the display brightness for better visibility in dim environments or to save battery life.

F3: Increase Screen Brightness

Increases the display brightness for better clarity in bright environments.

F4: Switch Display Modes

Toggles between display modes: Laptop screen only, duplicate display, extend display, or second screen only.
Useful when connecting to an external monitor or projector.

F5: Toggle Touchpad On/Off

Enables or disables the touchpad. Ideal for users who prefer using an external mouse.

F6: Mute Audio

Quickly mutes all system audio.

F7: Decrease Volume

Lowers the system audio volume in small increments.

F8: Increase Volume

Raises the system audio volume in small increments.

F9: Toggle Wi-Fi

Turns the laptop’s wireless connection on or off.
Useful when traveling or conserving battery.

F10: Play/Pause Media

Plays or pauses media in supported applications like music players or video streaming platforms.

F11: Stop Media Playback

Stops the current media playback.

F12: Skip to Next Track

Skips to the next track or media file in supported applications.

How to Use Function Keys Without Pressing the Fn Key

Acer laptops default to special functions for F1–F12 keys. If you frequently use standard functions (like F5 for refreshing a webpage), you can switch the default behavior by changing the Function Key Behavior in your laptop’s BIOS settings:

Restart your Acer laptop and press F2 repeatedly during startup to access the BIOS.
Navigate to the Main tab using the arrow keys.
Locate the Function Key Behavior option.
Change the setting to Function Key to prioritize standard functions.
Save changes and exit the BIOS by pressing F10.

Common Tips for Using Acer Function Keys

Check Your Keyboard Icons: Many Acer laptops include icons on the function keys to indicate their special functions. For example, a sun icon represents brightness controls, and a speaker icon represents volume.
Use the Acer Quick Access App: Some Acer laptops come with the Acer Quick Access app, which lets you customize function key behavior and access additional settings.
Fn Lock: If your laptop has an Fn Lock key (often combined with the Esc key), you can press Fn + Fn Lock to toggle between standard and special functions without changing BIOS settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do the Function Keys (F1–F12) Do on Acer Laptops?

Each F key (F1–F12) is assigned both a traditional function (like F1 for Help, F5 for Refresh) and a special hardware feature, symbolized on the keyboard,

Common default functions,
- F1: Sleep mode
- F2/F3: Adjust screen brightness
- F4/F5: Toggle external displays or switch display modes
- F6: Turn off the display backlight (saves battery)
- F7: Toggle the touchpad on/off, adjust keyboard lighting, or skip tracks
- F8–F12: Vary by model, often control sound, airplane mode, or other shortcuts

Symbols printed on each key give clues to their specific function. Exact key actions may vary by model.

How Do I Use F1–F12 As Standard Function Keys Instead of Shortcuts?

Most Acer laptops ship with the special (hardware shortcut) functions set as the default. To use the classic F1–F12 features in software,

Hold down the Fn key while pressing your desired F key. For example, Fn+F5 might refresh a browser page instead of toggling display outputs.
Some models let you reverse this behavior in the BIOS settings, read on for details!

Why Do the Function Keys Act Only as Shortcuts (Brightness, Volume) By Default?

Acer, like many laptop brands, prioritizes convenience, letting users access hardware controls without pressing Fn. This can frustrate power users or gamers who rely on traditional F1–F12 actions. Fortunately, there are ways to adjust this behavior, although not all models support this flexibility.

Switching Function Key Modes, How Can I Set F1–F12 as Default?

Changing this behavior depends on your laptop’s BIOS,

To check or change function key mode,
1. Restart your laptop and tap F2 during boot to access the BIOS setup.
2. Look for a setting called “Function Key Behavior,” “Action Keys Mode,” or “Hotkey Mode.”
3. Switch the option to “Function Keys” or “F1–F12.”
4. Save and exit BIOS.

If your BIOS lacks this option, the function keys’ default behavior can’t be changed without holding Fn.

Is There an Fn Lock for Permanently Changing Fn Key Behavior?

Some Acer laptops support an Fn Lock feature, letting you toggle between shortcut and standard F1–F12 mode,

Common toggles, Fn+Esc or Fn+Caps Lock
If nothing happens, your model may not support this feature. Always check your BIOS first for a permanent solution.

How Do I Use or Change Function Keys in the BIOS?

Access BIOS as follows,

Restart and press F2 immediately at startup.
Use the arrow keys to navigate and look for function key mode settings.
Adjust as needed, save, and exit.

On some models, these options aren’t available.

What Do Fn+F5, Fn+F6, and Fn+F7 Do?

Fn+F5, Switches between laptop display and external monitor/projector.
Fn+F6, Turns off the display backlight for battery savings.
Fn+F7, Typically toggles the touchpad on/off, enables keyboard backlighting, or controls media playback, exact action depends on the laptop series.

How Can I Enable or Disable the Touchpad?

Fn+F7 is the usual toggle for Acer touchpads. Tap it to enable or disable the touchpad.
You can also adjust touchpad settings in Windows, Settings > Devices > Touchpad.

If your touchpad remains disabled, check your BIOS or reinstall the touchpad driver via Device Manager.

Troubleshooting – Why Aren’t My Function Keys Working After an Update?

Occasionally, system or BIOS updates can disrupt function key behavior. Here’s what to check,

Revisit your BIOS to verify function key settings.
Update or reinstall keyboard drivers in Windows Device Manager.
If necessary, reset your BIOS to default settings.
For persistent issues, visit Acer’s official support site for new drivers or BIOS updates.

Can I Remap or Customize My Acer Function Keys?

Acer laptops do not support in-depth function key customization via Acer or Windows utilities. While some third-party tools like SharpKeys or AutoHotkey allow key remapping, they typically cannot override the hardware-level function or shortcut assignment. Any changes to default operation must be made in BIOS, if the option exists.

Why Do Navigation Keys (Home, PgUp, PgDn, End) Require the Fn Key?

Compact and tenkeyless Acer laptop keyboards often assign navigation functions to secondary or arrow keys. To use them, hold the Fn key while pressing the relevant key. There’s usually no way to permanently swap this behavior, it’s a tradeoff for smaller keyboard layouts.

Where Can I Find a Full List of Acer Function Key Shortcuts?

User Manual, The best reference is the PDF manual for your specific Acer model.
Acer’s Community Forums, Search for your model name and “function keys”, many detailed user-generated lists exist.
On your keyboard, Look for the symbols printed on each F key as a quick guide.

Summary

The function keys on Acer laptops are powerful shortcuts that make it easier to manage your device’s settings and enhance productivity. If you’re adjusting brightness, controlling volume, or switching displays, understanding these keys can save you time and effort. On the other hand, if you prefer standard functions over special ones, customizing the key behavior through BIOS or Fn Lock can make your laptop even more user-friendly.