Chromebooks come with a lot of built-in functions, but there are also a few function keys that you can use to get more out of your Chromebook. Here are some tips on how to use these function keys on your Chromebook keyboard:

  1. Use the Fn key to access the Chromebook’s built-in keyboard shortcuts. This key is located at the top left corner of your Chromebook keyboard. To access these shortcuts, press Fn+F3.
  2. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the list of functions on your Chromebook keyboard. To access a function key, press one of the arrow keys and then press the function you want to activate. For example, if you want to turn off WiFi on your Chromebook, you would press Fn+W2.
  3. Use the space bar to select multiple functions at once and then press them together (for example, pressing Fn+F5 and Fn+S). This will activate all of the functions that were selected previously.

The image below shows the top row of keys on a typical Chromebook keyboard. It may not look like it, but there are function keys hidden in that row. The keys between ESC and Power/Lock double as F1 through F10. We’ll show you how to use them.

There are two ways to utilize the hidden function keys on a Chromebook. The method you choose will depend on how often you need the function keys. The first method doesn’t require any configuration.

Simply hold down the Search/Launcher key and press one of the keys in the top row. This enables the secondary purpose of the key, which in the case of the top row, is F1, F2, F3, etc.

One important thing to note is that this won’t work if you have changed the function of the Search/Launcher key. It needs to be in its default state.

The second method is a more permanent solution. You can choose to have the top row always act as function keys.

First, click the clock on the Shelf to bring up the Quick Settings panel. Select the gear icon to open the Settings menu.

In the Settings app, go to the “Device” section.

Now, select “Keyboard” from the “Device” section.

Scroll down a bit and you’ll see “Treat Top-Row Keys as Function Keys.” Toggle the switch on.

That’s it. What we’ve done is flip the purpose of the top row. The default actions are now F1, F2, F3, etc., and you can hold down the Search/Launcher key to use the Chrome OS functions.

It’s unfortunate that Chromebook keyboards don’t show the function keys on the top row labels. You’ll have to learn which Chrome OS icons are associated with which function keys. If you use function keys a lot, these are good tricks to know.

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