Fn Key Is Not Working

The Fn key does not appear to be physically working on my keyboard. On my E6410.

I checked the DCP settings and bios, but everything is in order. There is no setting that permanently disables the Fn key anyways.

I know it does not physically work because when I press any key, the backlit should come up. But with the Fn key, it does not. So I believe it just is not physically recognizing the Fn key.

I used the USB keyboard's Scroll Lock and tested the Fn functions, which works fine (like screen brightness adjustment, etc).

How can this one key malfunction? Every other keys around work great.. And this has been docked most of the time with no debris in between the key. I just have no idea how this one single key can be physically not registering...

Bios is up to date and the Quickset program seems to be applicable only to the consumer line.

I would really appreciate any help here.. Can't even really adjust anything!

 

The answer is simple, they mechanism or contact is broken, the simplest solution: call Dell and request a replacement kb.

 

Wow.. I just reassembled the keyboard, cleaned up the contact and now it works... I guess simple reseating still is a good troubleshooting... Thanks for the reply though!

 

I don't suggest disassembling laptop keyboards because the scissors mechanism is rather delicate, but yeah, that is a possibility for those willing to attempt it. I'm always wary of breaking keys personally. That said, it can also be used to clean and lubricate squeaky keys.

 

Oh I didn't disassemble the key itself, but the entire keyboard.

As it turns out, the contact of the entire keyboard was not flush with the connector with the motherboard! Naturally happened to be this way over time somehow... When the Fn key is not recognized, I can press down the three buttons for the trackpoint (roughly where the connector of the keyboard lies) and the Fn key would work right away!

Strange finding indeed...