Volume Keys stopped working

gemius

New Member
Messages
7
I have a Toshiba Satillite laptop running Windows 8 which I use for storing, recording and playing back music. Everything worked fine until a few weeks ago when the volume keys on the keyboard stopped working. I still get sound at whatever level is set and I can adjust the volume if I access the sound control slider, but the two volume keys have stopped working.

I saw some advice on a Microsoft web page saying if there were sound problems to change the setting in the 'Human Interface Device from Manual to Automatic which I did but it made no difference.

Can you advise me please.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
Too bad that you waited this long. A System Restore back to a date when it did work probably would have taken care of it. As its been several weeks, its too long to fall back.

One thing that worked on a user with a desktop was to uninstall the keyboard in the Device Manager, then restart the PC and when Windows starts it will detect and reinstall the keyboard. However, if you have a log on password, this will not work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Thanks for your reply. I tried re installing but it made no difference. Several other keys don't work either. It should still be under guarantee so I shall have to take it back.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
Problem solved

I've managed to solve my keyboard problem. The action of the Fn key was reversed! How this happened I don't know. I must have inadvertently pressed a combination of keys that reversed it as it worked correctly before.

Anyone with the same problem can go to Search/Apps/Toshiba/Function Key where they will find an on/off switch under 'Notification' I changed that to 'off' and it put things back to giving the volume keys etc priority.

Hope this helps someone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
Resetting Function Key

I spoke too soon. When the computer is turned off the Function Key resets itself so the keys are in the Function mode. If I go to the Function Key dialog box and switch it over I can then use the volume keys etc without pressing Fn but it seems I have to do that everytime I start up!
There must surely be some way out of this as I've been using it for several months without any problem. Any advice would be appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
Have you done anything such as resetting the BIOS or updating the BIOS? Long shot but may be something there causing it to reset.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
No I haven't tried that yet. I can find out how to access the BIOS but what should I be looking for when I do?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
I have no idea in the BIOS. Just a thought. If you haven't updated or changed/reset the BIOS then forget about that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
At last I have finally cracked this after getting advice direct from Toshiba. (There support centre Know How couldn't resolve the problem) They first told me to alter the settings in the BIOS under Advanced/System Configuration where there is a facility to change the value of the Function keys. This made no difference so I tried their second suggestion which I have copied below, and it worked, and the default operation of the Fn keys is now with the Screen brightness/volume keys etc as I require it and as it was originally.

'If this does not resolve the issue you may consider performing a refresh. The refresh process will delete any settings and applications on your notebook. Your personal data will not be affected. However, we would recommend that you create a backup of any data you wish to keep before proceeding. To refresh your notebook, please follow these steps:
  • On the Windows 8 Start screen, type ‘refresh’.
  • Click on 'Settings' on the right side.
  • Click ‘Refresh your PC’ on the left side.
  • Make sure you have read and understand the information on the screen, and then click 'Next'.
  • Click 'Refresh'.
The process will now start. Please follow any on screen instructions given. The process itself may take up to an hour depending on the speed of your notebook'

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
That is a drastic move, almost the same as a complete reinstall. Keep in mind this is only for a Toshiba and the specific problem. A Dell or an HP or whatever may require a different fix.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Yes that's why I copied the whole message from Toshiba. In my case it didn't matter as the computer is quite new and I only use it for music. I didn't loose any of my documents or music files only the programs I'd downloaded and it was just a few minutes to download them again. I also had to get rid of that wretched Mc Afee again and restart Windows Defender.

I still don't know how the setting came to be changed so I've got my fingers crossed it doesn't happen again.

Thanks for your help.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
I had to hit num lock a couple times to get mine to work. A-ok now. What a pain in the butt to find the answer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
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