How to Activate Blue Keys on a Laptop

A blue key on your laptop can output images to a projector.

Just as your keyboard's "Shift" key unlocks secondary uses of many keys, the "Function" key unlocks secondary uses some keys and tertiary functions of other keys. These additional uses appear on your laptop's keyboard in blue. Some of these functions, such as the print screen or number lock functions, appear of larger keyboards as their own keys. Some of them also perform hardware functions, such as turning on the computer's Wi-Fi card or changing the computer's output from the screen to an external device.

Instructions

1. Locate the blue "function" key on your keyboard. The key is labeled as "Fn" and is usually in the keyboard's lower-left corner. This key is unconnected with the upper row of function keys labeled "F1" through "F12."

2. Press and hold the function key.

3. Press the blue key you want to activate.

References

• Haverford College: Laptop Computer Video Port Activation Chart
• Moruya High School: Function Keys

Resources

• Edith Cowan University: Using Your Laptop
• Utah State University Information Technology: Troubleshooting Information