The F6 key is a function key found at the top of almost all computer keyboards. The key is often used to move the text cursor to the address bar in an Internet browser. As mentioned below, F6 also has other uses depending on the computer and program.
How to use the F6 key
Open the program that uses the key and press F6. If the F6 key also has an icon on the key, it indicates the key has a secondary function. To use the secondary function, press and hold down the Fn key, and while continuing to hold the key, press F6.
- How to use the F6 key.
- Where is the F6 key used?
- The secondary function of F6.
- Where is the F6 key on my smartphone or tablet?
- Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
- Related information.
- Computer keyboard shortcuts.
If when pressing the F6 key, the secondary function is performed (e.g., mutes audio), the function keys are the secondary function. For example, on an Apple computer, to press F6, hold down fn, and press F6.
Information about the secondary function is found in the below secondary function of F6 section.
If the FnLk (function lock) is enabled, the keyboard acts as if the Fn key is being pressed until it is unlocked.
Where is the F6 key used?
The following list is all the locations where the F6 key can be used with information about its use.
If the F6 key is not working on the keyboard, see: Some keys on my computer keyboard aren’t working.
- Internet browsers
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Internet browsers
Move the cursor to the address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and most other Internet browsers.
Microsoft Excel
Move to the next pane.
Microsoft Word
Ctrl+Shift+F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
The secondary function of F6
For laptop keyboards and desktop computer keyboards with the Fn key, each function key has two functions. Unfortunately, there’s no standard to what each key uses as its secondary function, so every keyboard is different. Below is a list of different keyboards and their secondary function for the F6 key.
- Apple keyboard F6 key
- Cooler Master keyboard F6 key
- Dell keyboard F6 key
- HP keyboard F6 key
- Lenovo ThinkPad F6 key
- Logitech keyboard F6 key
- Microsoft Surface F6 key
Apple keyboard F6 key
The default F6 key primary function on the MacBook increases the keyboard backlight. Pressing fn+F6 for the secondary function is F6.
Cooler Master keyboard F6 key
On Cooler Master desktop keyboards, the F6 secondary function is one of the following options depending on the model.
- With a single-color keyboard backlight keyboards, FN+F6 stops the audio in supported programs (e.g., Windows Media Player).
- With a multiple backlight colors (RGB) keyboard, FN+F6 adjusts the lighting zones and direction.
Dell keyboard F6 key
The F6 key secondary function on Dell laptop keyboards is to mute and unmute the volume.
HP keyboard F6 key
On Hewlett-Packard laptop keyboards with a sound icon and a circle with a cross, the secondary F6 function is to mute the audio.
Lenovo ThinkPad F6 key
On the IBM and Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards with a sun symbol next to a plus, the F6 key secondary function increases the brightness.
Logitech keyboard F6 key
On Logitech keyboards with a light bulb in a folder on the key, the F6 key loads the saved backlight keyboard profile. Logitech keyboards with two arrows pointing to the left rewind or goes to the previous track in supported media players.
Microsoft Surface F6 key
On the Microsoft Surface laptops, the F6 key secondary function increases the audio volume.
Where is the F6 key on my smartphone or tablet?
Smartphones and tablets don’t have keyboards like you’d find on a desktop and laptop and therefore don’t have an F6 key.
Related keyboard shortcuts and keys
Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.
- F1
- F2
- F3
- F4
- F5
- F7
- F8
- F9
- F10
- F11
- F12
Fn, Function keys, Keyboard, Keyboard terms
Related information
- How to change the default behavior of the function keys.
- What are the F1 through F12 keys?
- Keyboard help and support.
