Sony Support

Article ID : S500016066 / Last Modified : 11/04/2018Print

What is the Fn key used for?

    Usage of the Fn key.


    The Fn key combined with normal keys will create a shortcut to certain functions.

    Please refer to the following table on the combinations and functions of the Fn key:

    Fn + F2: Speaker switch

    		 Turns on and off the built-in speaker and the headphones.

    Fn + F3/ F4: Speaker volume

    		 Adjusts the built-in speaker volume.
    To increase volume, press Fn + F4 and then press up arrow key or right arrow key, or keep pressing Fn + F4.
    To decrease volume, press Fn + F3 and then press up down key or left arrow key, or keep pressing Fn + F3.

    Fn + F5/ F6: Brightness control

    		 Adjusts the brightness of the LCD.
    To increase lightness intensity, press Fn + F6 and then press up arrow key or right arrow key, or keep pressing Fn + F6.
    To decrease lightness intensity, press Fn + F5 and then press up down key or left arrow key, or keep pressing Fn + F5.

    Fn + F7: Switch to the external display

    		 Toggles between the LCD, external device (e.g. monitor) and both LCD and external device.

    Fn + F10: View size

    		 Changes the screen resolution to magnify/restore the screen view.

    The default resolutions of the standard view and the magnified view are as follows:
    • Standard view: 1024 x 768 pixels.
    • Magnified view: 800 x 600 pixels.
    The magnified view is not as clear as the standard view, as it is implemented by applying a lower resolution to the LCD screen with a higher resolution.

    Important Note

    • This shortcut key is disabled during video playback. Make sure to quit such software before pressing the shortcut key.
    • This shortcut key may not work with graphic images as it magnifies the screen view by changing the resolution.
    • The location and size of software windows may change when the screen view is magnified or the standard view is restored because pressing this shortcut key changes the resolution.
    • When the LCD screen view is magnified, switching the view to the external display disables the function and restores the standard view.

    Fn + F12: Hibernate

    		 Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. When this command is executed, the states of the system and of the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the system power is turned off. To return the system to its original state, use the power switch to turn on the power.

    Important Note

    Some functions are not available until Windows is launched.