Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix F5 and Function Keys Not Working in Word on Mac

Bushra Parveen Oct 9, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is unable to use standard function keys, specifically F5 to open the Go To dialog, in Microsoft Word after updating their Mac operating system.

How to Fix F5 and Function Keys Not Working in Word on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to use F5 and other F-keys for built-in application shortcuts in Word after a recent system update.
Observed behavior: Pressing function keys triggers macOS hardware controls like screen brightness or media volume instead of executing the expected Microsoft Word commands.

Before you start

Before changing any system settings, test the function keys on your Mac to see if they are triggering hardware controls (like volume or screen brightness) instead of software shortcuts, which confirms a system-level configuration rather than a software error.

Solution 1

Use the Fn Key Combination

A quick and immediate workaround that does not require altering system-wide keyboard preferences.

By default, Mac keyboards are configured to use the top row of keys for hardware controls. You can temporarily override this behavior by using the Fn modifier key.

Open your Word document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document you wish to edit.

Press the Fn key

Locate and hold down the 'Fn' (Function) key, typically found in the bottom-left corner of your Mac keyboard.

Press the F5 key

While holding the 'Fn' key, press the 'F5' key. This will successfully trigger Word's 'Go To' dialog without changing screen brightness or keyboard backlighting.

Solution 2Recommended

Change macOS Keyboard Shortcuts Settings

Permanently set your top-row keys to act as standard function keys across all applications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my function keys stop working in Word after a macOS update?

System updates can sometimes reset your personalized settings, restoring the default macOS behavior where the top-row keys control hardware features like brightness and volume rather than executing application-specific shortcuts.

Do I need to reinstall Microsoft Word to fix keyboard shortcut issues?

No, reinstalling Word is usually unnecessary. Shortcut behaviors are typically managed by macOS System Settings. Adjusting the Function Keys configuration within your Mac's Keyboard settings will resolve the issue.

How do I make the F5 key work natively without pressing Fn?

To use F5 natively for software shortcuts like the 'Go To' menu in Word, open macOS System Settings, navigate to Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Function Keys, and enable the option to 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys'.

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