Das Keyboard 4C: FN key not recognized in EventViewer

[cavega]

I've installed Karabiner-Elements on my Mac running 10.11.6 and FN key presses are not recognized in EventViewer. As such, my FN keys are not working for the default settings (i.e. F1 brightness down, etc).

The only modifications I've made in Karabiner and OS are the following:

• Simple Modifications tab
  • left_command -> left_option
  • left_option -> left_command
  • right_option -> right_command
• Devices tab
  • Marked checkbox so that Karabiner only modifies evetns for the Das Keyboard
• Mac Keyboard Preferences
  • Marked checkbox for "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys"

Current FN key behavior:

• Pressing the FN key along with F1 does "mute" option (like is printed on keyboard\
• Pressing the FN key along with F2 does "volume down" option (like is printed on keyboard
• Pressing the FN key along with F3 does "volume up" option (like is printed on keyboard
• Same for other keys, pressing FN+F executes the same function as if I did not have Karabiner-Elements installed.

Expected Behavior:

• Pressing FN+F will work as described in the default "Function Keys" settings and allow me to change brightness with F1-F3, etc.

[corningsun]

I got the same problem.
I opened the EventViewer, and press the FN key, but nothing happend.

Mac os Serria 10.12.3
KeyBoard: FILCO FKBN104M/EMU2

[nguyenhimself]

Did it work for you back in the old Karabiner?

Because the FAQ states that Karabiner may not be able to remap the Fn key in external keyboard, due to that key's tight coupling with the hardware.

[cavega]

@nguyenhimself The old Karabiner had way too many settings and I gave up on it pretty quickly, hence why I decided to try Karabiner-Elements instead. Regarding the FN comment in the linked FAQ, I've previously read it but ignored it since it specifically mentions Logitech not DAS or any other brand. My other keyboard (WASD) FN key works fine with Elements (just had to swap fn and application functions). I'll try again the old Karabiner and see if the EventViewer register FN presses.

[benwoodward]

Has anyone found a way to get the fn button to work on a DAS? I'm using a DAS Ultimate, EventViewer doesn't recognise the fn key, but prints it's code (0x6e). Can't find a way to map this key code to 'fn'.

[kiryph]

I'm also using the daskeyboard 4c professional and karabiner-elements 11.1.0 does not recognize the function key. Any chance that this will change?

According to https://wiki.keyboardmaestro.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions#Can_I_use_the_Fn_key_as_a_modifier this is technical not possible. Probably the wasd keyboard with a dip-switch is here better (eg. Code Keyboard V2B TKL).

[nguyenhimself]

@benwoodward Well this is easier. That fn key's name is shown as 'application", so you should be able to remap it as something normally. Just look for "application" way down in the dropdown menu.

[stale]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[JJPro]

I can confirm that the issue still persists in late 2022. I thought my switch has gone bad, so I soldered the switch without luck, then I suspected the PCB has gone bad, until I found this post.
As soon as I quit Karabiner, Fn starts working fine.