keyboard F6 doesn't seem to work

I've the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Several application which should had accept and react to the F6 key seem to ignore it. Same applications accept the other function keys (F5, F7, etc.) performing their respective actions, as well as the Shift+F6 which also works fine as expected.

Because the Shift+F6 as well as Ctrl+F6, etc. work fine, I suspect this is not a hardware problem, but can't really be sure.

I don't think I've anything special on my Windows, or any program that intercepts F6, but again, cannot be sure.

How can I troubleshoot such a problem? How can I verify whether hardware/software? Any known program that intercepts F6?

Edit: Trying the Virtual On Screen Keyboard (as well as a different keyboard) yields same result (i.e. no result). This appears to be a software issue. Still no clue what it is.

4 Answers

I would recommend starting with a diagnostic startup

To do this go to the start menu then type msconfig then enter.
Under General select Diagnostic statup. Every Time you edit msconfig you'll want to reboot.
Check to see if your F6 functions normally now.
NOTE: THIS WILL DISABLE ALL STARTUP SERVICES AND PROGRAMS! THINGS MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL YOU SWITCH IT BACK!!!

If, on a diagnostic startup, your F6 works normally you should set the startup back to a normal start up and disable items under the Startup Tab that you dont need or in blocks to see if you can find the offending program.

If, even with all startup items disabled, you still have issues. Go to the Services tab and select "Hide all Microsoft service" and disable services which you don't need(I don't recommend touching driver services)

Chances are the offending program/service is one of these. Look for items that say "Hotkey provider" or similar.

Have you tried actually using another keyboard?

I was using Photoshop and the F6 key apparently was not working. However, I found the reason.

There is another program on my computer that is actually intercepting the F6 key alone. Shift + F6, Ctrl + F6 and Alt + F6 all worked fine.

The F6 key is overridden by that software running in the background. Close that program and F6 should work fine again.

For me Fn+f6 solves the problem