How to switch/disable functionality of fn keys on Ubuntu - USB keyboard

Question

Hi I have a problem with my new USB Lenovo keyboard, I can't (don't know how) switch Fn keys in Linux, on windows it was very easy.

But I don't know what I can do on Linux to switch Fn keys (or disable), do you know any solution? I need standard functions of F1 through F12...

Do you mean the key with the label Fn, or the 12 keys with 12 different labels Fn with n being one of 1 to 12? What exactly do you want the keys to do? — Volker Siegel, Apr 18 '15 at 13:05
@Volker Siegel I mean 12 keys (additional functionality of F1-11), now when I press F1 then i mute sound, i have to press Fn key and F1... I want to primary function of F1 was F1 not mute, F2 not volume down, etc...
And the question is how to switch that functionality (as an example i gave you link with solution for windows) or disable all Fn functions (mute, volume down, volume up...) — Tomasz Cy-man, Apr 18 '15 at 15:36
So you want to have to press fn before you press F1-12 for it to function as a shortcut key? — TheWanderer, Apr 18 '15 at 15:51
Did you check http://askubuntu.com/questions/285512/how-to-change-function-fn-key-behavior-on-wireless-logitech-keyboard - or other questions listed as "related" to the right? — Volker Siegel, Apr 18 '15 at 23:13
@Zacharee1 I want to press fn only when i would use additional functionality of that keys — Tomasz Cy-man, Apr 19 '15 at 19:52
@Volker Siegel i saw that, but solaar is program for Logitech keyboard only... — Tomasz Cy-man, Apr 19 '15 at 19:58

score 39 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 23 '15 at 11:45

39

this is the best solution what i found ;-)

answered Sep 23 '15 at 11:45

Tomasz Cy-man

673

You will be happy to know that there is someone else with the exact same solution out there :D Thanks for the pic, I was starting to think of which small heavy object I could use to keep this key pressed. All that for a keyboard of very average quality... – Adversus Sep 30 '15 at 12:11
9

Did you do the FN+ESC trick? – Natim Dec 21 '15 at 21:13
2

FN+ESC will only work directly on the laptop not this keyboard, the keyboard miss also on/off switch I think the developer of this keyboard was fool. – Maytham Fahmi Jan 08 '16 at 20:14
2

"Smart" engineers from lenovo broke that solution. Now the Fn key is between control and windows keys on the left of space bar. A paper blocker or heavy object are definitely a no go at that place. Actually putting the Fn key there is really awkward because it's very easy to mistake it with Windows key. I'm considering buying another (non lenovo) keyboard :-( – kriss Aug 17 '17 at 13:51
solaar installed via pip worked for me with the "K400 Plus" model. example: solaar config 1 fn-swap off – erjoalgo Jul 07 '20 at 08:28
solaar doesn't work for Lenovo SK-8821, it looks like this tools is intended to be used with Logitech devices – fikipollo Aug 21 '20 at 08:37

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited May 19 '16 at 10:15

6

I found a software solution.

clone the following program from github:

git clone https://github.com/lentinj/tp-compact-keyboard.git

compile to following program:

cd tp-compact-keyboard/tp-compact-usb-keyboard
make
sudo ./tp-compact-usb-keyboard /dev/hidraw1

Maybe some errors are shown when you execute the program.

This program sent 2 keystrokes to the keyboard (0x05 and 0x01).

i think, you can't press them physically:

http://www.kbdedit.com/manual/low_level_vk_list.html

They are mapped to special keys.

this is only a temporary solution - after a reboot this settings are gone.

maybe you create a cronjob to fix it permanently:

http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-execute-cron-job-after-system-reboot/

edited May 19 '16 at 10:15

supervacuo

175
1
5

answered May 06 '16 at 17:01

MaCXyLo

76

PS: Model-No: SK-8821 Bus 002 Device 002: ID 17ef:6018 Lenovo – MaCXyLo May 06 '16 at 17:02
same keyboard, also works for me! +1 :) – supervacuo May 19 '16 at 09:09
Worked for Lenovo SK-8821 in Xubuntu 16.04 – fikipollo Aug 21 '20 at 08:38

How to switch/disable functionality of fn keys on Ubuntu - USB keyboard

2 Answers2