Nothing is more annoying than pressing Fn + F5 or Fn + F6 on your Acer ALG laptop and… nothing happens. No screen brightness change. No display switch. No response at all. It feels like your keyboard is ignoring you.
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. And the fix is usually simple.
TL;DR: If your Acer ALG Fn F5 and F6 keys are not working, the problem is usually caused by disabled hotkeys, outdated drivers, BIOS settings, or keyboard mode changes. Start by checking the Fn Lock. Then update keyboard and chipset drivers. If that fails, adjust BIOS settings or reinstall Acer utility software. Most issues can be fixed in under 20 minutes.
Contents of Post
Why Fn F5 and F6 Stop Working
On most Acer ALG laptops:
- Fn + F5 usually controls display switching.
- Fn + F6 may control screen brightness or touchpad settings.
When they stop working, it’s often due to:
- Fn Lock being enabled or disabled incorrectly
- Missing or corrupted drivers
- Windows updates breaking hotkeys
- A BIOS setting change
- Keyboard hardware issues
Good news? These are all fixable.
1. Check If Fn Lock Is Enabled
This is the easiest fix. And you’d be surprised how often this is the problem.
Some Acer laptops have an Fn Lock feature. When enabled, your function keys behave differently.
How to Fix It
- Look for a small lock icon on the Esc key.
- Press Fn + Esc once.
- Test Fn + F5 or Fn + F6 again.
If this works, you’re done. High five.
2. Restart Your Laptop
Yes. The classic “turn it off and on again.”
Windows updates or background glitches can temporarily disable hotkeys.
Do This Properly
- Click Start
- Select Restart
- Do not choose Shut Down
After restart, test the keys again.
Still not working? Keep going.
3. Update Keyboard Drivers
Outdated drivers are a common cause of function key problems.
Your laptop relies on drivers to understand what each key does.
Steps to Update Drivers
- Press Windows + X
- Click Device Manager
- Expand Keyboards
- Right-click your keyboard device
- Select Update Driver
Choose Search automatically for drivers.
Restart after updating.
4. Update or Reinstall Acer Hotkey Drivers
This one is important.
Acer laptops use special software to manage function keys. If it’s missing, Fn shortcuts won’t work.
What You Need
- Acer Quick Access
- Acer Launch Manager (on some models)
Visit the official Acer support page. Enter your laptop model. Download the latest versions.
Install them. Then restart your computer.
This fix solves the issue in many cases.
5. Check BIOS Settings
Your BIOS controls low-level keyboard behavior.
If the function key mode is changed, your shortcuts may stop working.
How to Enter BIOS
- Turn off your laptop
- Turn it back on
- Press F2 repeatedly while booting
Once inside BIOS:
- Look for Function Key Behavior
- Set it to Function Key instead of Media Key (or vice versa)
- Save changes and exit
Your laptop will restart automatically.
6. Run Windows Troubleshooter
Windows has built-in troubleshooters. They sometimes fix hidden issues.
Steps
- Open Settings
- Go to System
- Click Troubleshoot
- Select Other troubleshooters
- Run the Keyboard troubleshooter
Follow the on-screen instructions.
It may reset your keyboard settings automatically.
7. Check for Hardware Problems
If nothing works, you might have a hardware issue.
Test this:
- Open an online keyboard tester
- Press F5 and F6 without Fn
- Then press them with Fn
If no signal appears, the keys may be physically damaged.
Common causes:
- Liquid spills
- Dust buildup
- Worn-out keyboard membrane
In this case, you may need:
- Keyboard cleaning
- External USB keyboard
- Professional repair
Quick Comparison of Fix Methods
| Fix Method | Difficulty | Time Needed | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fn Lock Check | Very Easy | 1 Minute | High |
| Restart Laptop | Very Easy | 3 Minutes | Medium |
| Update Keyboard Drivers | Easy | 5–10 Minutes | High |
| Install Acer Hotkey Software | Medium | 10–15 Minutes | Very High |
| Change BIOS Settings | Medium | 5 Minutes | High |
| Windows Troubleshooter | Easy | 5 Minutes | Medium |
| Hardware Repair | Hard | Varies | Depends on Damage |
Pro Tips to Prevent Fn Key Problems
Want to avoid this in the future? Follow these simple tips:
- Keep Windows updated
- Download drivers only from Acer’s official site
- Avoid forced shutdowns
- Keep liquids away from the keyboard
- Clean your keyboard regularly
A little care goes a long way.
When to Contact Acer Support
If you’ve tried everything and the keys still won’t respond, it may be time for expert help.
Contact Acer support if:
- Your laptop is under warranty
- Multiple keys stop working
- The keyboard works inconsistently
- You suspect motherboard damage
They may suggest a keyboard replacement or internal inspection.
Final Thoughts
When your Acer ALG Fn F5 and F6 keys stop working, it feels frustrating. But most of the time, the solution is simple.
Start small. Check Fn Lock. Restart. Update drivers. Install Acer utilities.
Work your way down the list calmly.
In most cases, you’ll fix the issue in less than 20 minutes.
And when those keys light up your screen again? It feels surprisingly satisfying.
Now go press Fn + F5 or F6 and see what happens.
Hopefully, this time… it works.