How to keep the function key locked on Lenovo E431?

For the Lenovo e431, how do you keep the function key locked?

Right now pressing F1-F12 activates the multimedia controls by default. To get to the standard F1-F12, you have to hold down Fn+the function key. This used to be adjustable in the BIOS, but for this laptop model, it no longer is available.

You can press Fn+esc, and it locks it for that session, but when the computer reboots, this is reset back to the default.

Is there a way so that the default is not the multimedia function keys, but just the standard, legacy function keys?


'Fn + Esc' Should lock it, but you'll need bios version 1.25+ to keep this config after reboot, since it had an issue fixed on 1.25:

<1.25>
- (New) Modified Power off USB timing.
- (New) Added New Panel Support.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue related to post hang up issue with special input KB/Mouse on docking
- (Fix) Fixed an issue related to unsupported resolution appeared during VGA/HDMI first plug in.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue that Fn lock can't be kept after reboot.

You can download it (and anything related to ThinkPad Edge E431) here: ThinkPad Edge E431 Download Page en-us

Btw you can also switch Fn and Left Ctrl on BIOS :)


I was searching like a man possessed to find how to return to F1-12 legacy mode (Lenovo Ideapad 110) because the FN hot keys were driving me nuts, especially while gaming.
I FINALLY found one post where the suggestion worked, after having tried 1000 different things from different posts:

  • While holding shift restart your PC and continue holding shift until a menu pops up.
  • Select Troubleshoot
  • Advanced Options
  • UEFI Firmware Settings
  • Restart.
    You will now boot into BIOS.
  • Then go to Configuration
  • Hotkey Mode and disable.
  • Save your settings,
  • boot to your OS and you're good to go!

I have a Lenovo Ideapad, model 80XM.

I was able to change this setting by going into the Lenovo settings app called "Lenovo Vantage" that came installed with my model.

Go into the app, click "Hardware Settings" > "More" > "Function Keys" > then select "F1-F12" instead of "Hot Keys".


Edit:

My app has been updated and changed, now you go to:

  • Lenovo Vantage App
  • Hardware Settings
  • Input
  • Click on F1-F12 to use those settings instead