F5 Refresh key not working in Windows 11

Is the F5 key not working correctly on your Windows 11/10 PC? The F5 key is typically used to refresh your desktop or Explorer or reload a web page. However, some of our readers reported that the F5 key is refreshing their computers and not functioning properly.

How do I enable F5 refresh in Windows 11?

You can simply press the F5 key to refresh your Windows PC. You might even need to press the Fn + F5 key combination to refresh your PC on some laptops or desktops.

Why is F5 Refresh not working?

If the F5 key does not refresh your PC or function correctly on Windows 11/10, one primary cause could be that the function keys are locked. Other potential causes of this problem include a damaged keyboard or F5 key, faulty keyboard drivers, BIOS settings, malware infection, software conflicts, and damaged system files.

Fix F5 Refresh key not working in Windows 11/10

If the F5 key is not working correctly on your Windows PC, use the below fixes to resolve the issue:

Perform some initial checklists.
Unlock the Function (Fn) key.
Activate Function keys in BIOS.
Reinstall your keyboard driver.
Use an alternate method to refresh your PC.
Troubleshoot in a clean boot state.

1] Perform some initial checklists

This could be a minor glitch or issue with your hardware or system, so F5 is not working correctly. Hence, before proceeding, you can perform some preliminary checks as discussed below:

First of all, check your keyboard and make sure it is physically working. Also, ensure that the F5 key isn’t damaged.
You can try restarting your PC and see if it helps.
You can also try restarting File Explorer and see if it works. Open Task Manager using CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, right-click on the Windows Explorer task and select the Restart option.
Another thing to make sure of is that your Windows is up-to-date.
Run SFC and DISM scans to fix corrupted system files and repair Windows image.
It might also be a malware scan causing the issue. So, run a virus scan and remove detected threats to fix the issue.

If the problem remains the same, you can move on to other fixes to resolve the issue.

2] Unlock the Function (Fn) key

If you can’t use the F5 key to refresh your PC, your Function keys are likely locked. To unlock them, you can press the Fn key on your keyboard and then press the F5 key.

For several keyboards, you need to press the Fn + Esc key combination to lock or unlock function keys. In some keyboards, the Esc key functions as a toggle for the Function padlock. So, use the correct key to enable function keys and then use the F5 key to refresh your desktop or a page.

See: Keyboard Volume keys not working in Windows.

3] Activate Function keys in BIOS

You can also enable function keys by tweaking your BIOS settings. Here are the steps to do that:

First, open the Settings app using Win+I and go to System > Recovery.
Now, click the Restart now button beside the Advanced startup option.
On the advanced startup options screen, select the Troubleshoot option.
After that, click on the UEFI Firmware Settings option and press Restart.
Next, go to the Keyboard/Mouse settings and enable the F1-F12 as Primary Function setting. In some BIOS, you might need to go to the System Configuration menu and enable the Action Keys Mode option.
Finally, save the new setting and restart your PC to check if the issue is resolved.

The Function key settings in BIOS may differ as per your motherboard manufacturer. Hence, go to the respective settings and make the changes accordingly.

Read: Fix @ or # key not working on Windows computer.

4] Reinstall your keyboard driver

You will likely face such keyboard issues if your keyboard driver is faulty or corrupted. Hence, you can reset your keyboard by uninstalling and reinstalling your keyboard drivers to fix the issue. Here’s how:

First, press Win+X and choose Device Manager from the appeared shortcut menu.
Next, expand the Keyboards category and right-click on your keyboard device.
Now, choose the Uninstall device option from the context menu.
After that, follow the prompted instructions to complete uninstallation.
Once done, restart your PC and let Windows reinstall the missing keyboard driver.
Check if the problem is now resolved.

It could also be your outdated keyboard drivers causing the issue. Hence, try updating your keyboard driver and check if the problem is resolved.

Read: Keyboard Volume keys not working in Windows.

5] How do I refresh my laptop if F5 is not working?

If the F5 key is still not working, you can use an alternate method to refresh your PC. Here are those methods:

Use CTRL+R keyboard shortcut to refresh the page.
You can refresh your PC or page using the right-click context menu. Right-click on it and choose the Refresh option.
Use the Windows Onscreen keyboard. Open the On-Screen Keyboard from Windows Search, click on the Fn key, and then press F5.

Read: Backlit keyboard not working or turning on in Windows.

6] Troubleshoot in a clean boot state

If the issue persists, you can try performing a Clean Boot and see if the problem is resolved.

Once done, restart your device, check if the F5 key is working. If yes, you can enable third-party programs individually and analyze which is causing the problem. Once detected, you can uninstall the app to fix the issue.

I hope this helps!

Read: Windows Screen keeps refreshing itself automatically

Why is my PC not refreshing?

Your PC may not be refreshing due to outdated Windows software or corrupted system files. To fix this, ensure you install the latest Windows updates, often including performance improvements. Additionally, run the System File Checker (SFC scan) to repair any corrupted files that might impede your system’s ability to refresh properly.

Now read: Desktop Refresh option not working in Windows 11.