How To Enter BIOS On A 60% Keyboard | Fn Key Fixes

To enter BIOS on a 60% keyboard, press the motherboard’s boot key through the Fn layer—usually Fn+Backspace for Delete or Fn+2 for F2.

Most 60% keyboards drop the dedicated function row, which means the Delete or F2 key your motherboard expects at boot isn’t physically there. Understanding how to enter BIOS on a 60% keyboard starts with the Fn layer—a secondary keymap that sends the missing keystroke when you hold Fn and press another key. The exact combination depends on your keyboard’s firmware, but the standard is Fn+Backspace for Delete and Fn+2 for F2.

What Key Does A 60% Keyboard Send For BIOS?

The motherboard asks for one specific key during POST—usually Delete, F2, F10, or Esc—and a 60% keyboard must send that exact key through its Fn layer. There is no universal shortcut because the Fn mapping is set by the keyboard vendor, not the BIOS.

Most 60% boards use predictable mappings:

• Delete → Fn + Backspace (the most common BIOS key)
• F2 → Fn + 2
• F10 → Fn + 0 or Fn + 9
• Esc → Fn + ` (grave/tilde key)

These defaults cover the majority of 60% keyboards from brands like Ducky, Anne Pro, Keychron, Royal Kludge, Razer, and Corsair.

Entering BIOS With A 60% Keyboard: Two Paths That Work

You have two reliable ways to reach the BIOS setup screen when your keyboard lacks dedicated function keys: the motherboard boot key via the Fn layer, or Windows’ built-in UEFI firmware menu.

Method 1: Motherboard Boot Key Via The Fn Layer

This is the direct method and works on any PC.

1. Restart or power on the PC.
2. Immediately start tapping the Fn combination for your motherboard’s BIOS key.
3. If your motherboard expects Delete, tap Fn + Backspace. If it expects F2, tap Fn + 2.
4. Hold the combination for a few seconds if the first tap doesn’t register—the boot window is narrow.

The screen changes from the motherboard logo to the BIOS/UEFI setup interface.

Method 2: Windows UEFI Firmware Settings (No Keyboard Key Required)

This method bypasses the keyboard entirely and works when you can reach the Windows login screen. The exact menu text depends on your Windows version, but the flow is the same.

1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery (Windows 10) or Settings → System → Recovery (Windows 11).
2. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
3. After the PC reboots to the blue recovery screen, navigate to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings.
4. Click Restart.

The PC reboots directly into the BIOS/UEFI interface.

The Windows recovery method works even if your 60% keyboard’s Fn mapping conflicts with the motherboard’s expected key. It’s the fallback when the keyboard method fails.

Common Fn Mappings For BIOS Keys

Most 60% keyboards use the same Fn-layer shortcuts for the missing navigation and function keys. The table below lists the mappings for popular models when the motherboard expects Delete at boot—the most common BIOS entry key.

For F2, the most common mapping across all these models is Fn + 2. The pattern holds: the number row on the Fn layer sends the corresponding F-key (Fn+3 for F3, Fn+4 for F4, and so on).

Corsair Keyboards Have A Dedicated BIOS Mode

Corsair offers a firmware-level BIOS method on many of its boards that sends the expected boot key without relying on the Fn layer. The procedure depends on the model.

• Most Corsair keyboards with a Windows lock key: Hold Windows lock + F1 for 5 seconds. The keyboard enters BIOS mode and sends the motherboard’s boot key on the next restart.
• Corsair keyboards without a Windows lock key: Unplug the keyboard, hold S + B, plug it back in, then release the keys.
• Corsair K100 and K95 Platinum (latest firmware): Hold B + S while plugging in.
• Corsair K70 TKL: Hold Esc while plugging in.

This method is keyboard-firmware controlled, so it works regardless of the operating system. For full model-specific instructions, refer to Corsair’s official BIOS-mode guide.

Why Does The Right Key Still Fail To Enter BIOS?

The most common failure point is timing. The boot window for BIOS key detection is narrow—usually a 2–3 second span right after the PC powers on. Start tapping the Fn combination as soon as you press the power button, and keep tapping until the BIOS screen appears or the OS starts loading.

Other common issues:

• Wrong Fn mapping: Not all 60% keyboards use the same defaults. If Fn+Backspace doesn’t send Delete, check your keyboard’s manual or online documentation for the correct Fn-layer layout.
• Fast startup interference: Windows’ fast startup can skip the POST screen entirely, making it impossible to catch the boot window. Disable fast startup in Windows power settings if you consistently miss the window.
• USB port issues: Some motherboards disable USB ports during POST. Try a rear USB 2.0 port instead of a front-panel or USB 3.0 port.
• Keyboard not compatible: Very old BIOS implementations may not recognize a 60% keyboard’s Fn-layer keystrokes during POST. In that case, use the Windows recovery method—it bypasses the keyboard entirely.

Which BIOS Entry Method Fits Your Situation

The table below compares the three approaches so you can pick the one that matches your hardware and comfort level.

Your BIOS Entry Checklist

Before your next reboot, confirm these three things:

1. Know your motherboard’s BIOS key. It’s Delete, F2, F10, or Esc on 90% of consumer boards. Check your motherboard’s manual if unsure.
2. Know your 60% keyboard’s Fn mapping. Fn+Backspace for Delete and Fn+2 for F2 covers most models. Keep your keyboard’s manual or quick-reference card handy.
3. Have a fallback. The Windows UEFI recovery method works when the keyboard method doesn’t, and it requires zero special keystrokes.

With these two methods—and the Corsair BIOS-mode shortcut as a bonus—you can enter the BIOS setup on any PC using a 60% keyboard. The trick is knowing your mapping and timing the press right.