How do I turn off the volume button on my keyboard?

What is a keyboard volume button?

Keyboard volume buttons are buttons located on some computer keyboards that allow users to quickly adjust the system volume without having to access the computer’s settings or use keyboard shortcuts. They are typically dedicated buttons separate from the main keyboard keys that have icons representing volume up and volume down.

Many major keyboard manufacturers include volume buttons on their devices, especially gaming keyboards or multimedia keyboards. Some common models that feature volume buttons are the Logitech G915, Corsair K95, Razer BlackWidow, and various models from HyperX, SteelSeries, and other brands.

The purpose of dedicated volume buttons on a keyboard is to provide quick and easy access to volume control while using the computer, especially for activities like gaming or media playback. The buttons eliminate the need to memorize keyboard shortcuts or switch between applications and settings menus just to turn the volume up or down. Their convenience and responsiveness make them a useful feature for many users.

Locating the Volume Buttons on Your Keyboard

Volume buttons on keyboards are typically located in the top row of keys or along the sides. There are usually separate keys or buttons for increasing volume, decreasing volume, and muting/unmuting audio.

On a standard Windows keyboard, the volume controls are often on the top row of keys to the right of the F12 key. There will be icons representing volume up, volume down, and mute. Pressing these keys while holding the Fn button will adjust the system volume.

On laptop keyboards, the volume keys are often placed vertically along the left or right edge. There will be distinct buttons with symbols for volume up, volume down, and mute. These buttons can be pressed directly without using any Fn or Ctrl keys to alter the volume.

Apple keyboards have designated volume keys in the top right with clear icons showing volume up, down, and mute/unmute. As with Windows laptops, these keys work independently without a Fn key.

If you’re having trouble locating the volume keys on your particular keyboard, consult your device or keyboard manual for the exact placements. The volume icons will likely stand out visually for easy identification. Understanding the location and markings will allow you to easily control volume right from the keyboard.

Disabling keyboard volume buttons in Windows

Windows provides built-in options to disable keyboard volume buttons. The steps vary slightly across different versions of Windows.

On Windows 10 and 11, you can disable keyboard volume buttons by following these steps:

1. Open Settings and go to Ease of Access > Keyboard.
2. Under ‘Use keyboard shortcuts’, turn off the toggle for ‘Use multimedia keyboard keys for media control’.

This will disable the volume control keys on your keyboard. According to Microsoft, this setting persists even after restarting your computer.

On older versions of Windows like Windows 7, the steps are slightly different:

1. Go to Control Panel > Ease of Access Center.
2. Under ‘Make the keyboard easier to use’, uncheck ‘Turn on Toggle Keys’ and ‘Turn on Filter Keys’.

Disabling these toggles will prevent the volume buttons from functioning. You may need to restart your computer for changes to take effect.

So in summary, accessing the ease of access or accessibility settings is the way to disable volume buttons in Windows. The exact options vary across versions.

Disabling keyboard volume buttons on Mac

On Mac computers, you can disable the keyboard volume buttons through System Preferences or by using third-party apps to remap the buttons.

To disable via System Preferences:
– Open System Preferences and go to the Keyboard settings.

– Select the “Keyboard” tab.
– Uncheck the boxes next to “Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” and “Use keyboard volume keys to control volume.” This will disable the volume control functionality of the F11 and F12 keys.

You can also use third-party apps like Karabiner Elements to remap the F11 and F12 keys to other functions. This effectively disables their ability to control volume while allowing you to repurpose the keys for other shortcuts.
See: Can I lock the volume or disable the volume keys on Mac OS X

Disabling volume buttons in BIOS

One way to disable the volume buttons on your keyboard is through your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). The BIOS controls your computer’s hardware, and allows you to configure settings before the operating system loads.

To disable volume buttons in BIOS:

1. Restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS, which is often F2, Delete, or Esc. The key will differ depending on your computer manufacturer. Consult your computer’s manual if unsure.
2. Once in the BIOS menu, navigate to an option related to “multimedia keys” or keyboard/hotkeys. The exact location varies by manufacturer, but may be under a menu like “Integrated Peripherals” or “Advanced”.
3. Look for a setting to disable the multimedia or hotkey functions related to volume control. For example, “Disable multimedia keys” or “Disable hotkeys”.
4. Save changes and exit BIOS. The volume buttons on your keyboard should now be disabled at the hardware level.

Disabling volume keys through the BIOS is effective as it prevents the buttons from functioning entirely at start up, before the operating system loads. However, access to BIOS settings is sometimes restricted on employer/school issued devices. Check if you have administrator permissions first. Alternatively, software solutions may provide more accessibility.

Using manufacturer software to disable buttons

Many keyboard and laptop manufacturers offer software that allows you to remap or disable certain keys and buttons. For example, Logitech includes the ‘Logitech Gaming Software’ with its gaming keyboards that lets you disable or reassign any key (Logitech Gaming Software). Similarly, Lenovo provides the ‘Lenovo Vantage’ app that has an option to turn off the Function Lock key and toggle certain other keys (Introduction to Lenovo Vantage).

To use manufacturer software to disable a keyboard button like the volume keys:

• Identify the make and model of your keyboard or laptop.
• Go to the manufacturer’s website and download their keyboard software.
• Install and open the keyboard software on your Windows or Mac computer.
• Look for settings related to customizing, remapping or disabling keys.
• Select the volume button you want to disable and change its mapping or toggle to turn it off.
• Save changes and the volume key should now be disabled.

The main advantage of using manufacturer software is that it offers granular control over individual keys, often providing options to fully disable them. The downside is that you’ll need to download a separate app for each brand of keyboard you use.

Disabling volume buttons through registry edit

One method to disable the volume buttons on your keyboard is by editing the Windows registry. However, caution should be exercised when editing the registry, as making incorrect changes can cause serious issues. It’s recommended to back up the registry before making any edits.

There are a couple of registry keys that control the behavior of the keyboard volume buttons in Windows:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Volume\Volatile Volume Mute – Controls whether the mute button mutes audio
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Volume\Volatile Volume Disabled – Controls whether the volume up/down buttons adjust volume

By changing the DWORD value of these keys to 1, it will disable the functionality of the mute and volume up/down buttons respectively. However, editing the registry incorrectly can prevent Windows from booting, so caution is advised. It’s recommended to export a backup of the registry keys before making any changes.

For more details on editing these registry keys, see this guide: How to disable the multimedia keys on Windows 10?

Physically disabling the buttons

If you want to permanently disable the volume buttons on your keyboard, you can physically modify the keyboard itself. This involves opening up the keyboard case and making changes to prevent the buttons from functioning. Here are some tips for safely performing these modifications:

Open up the keyboard case carefully, usually by removing screws on the back/bottom and then separating the two halves of the case. Refer to the manufacturer’s guide for your specific keyboard model. Be very gentle to avoid damaging any internal components.¹

Once inside, locate the volume button mechanisms on the keyboard PCB or plate. Determine the best way to disable them – you can desolder them from the PCB, snip any contact pins, or even just remove the keycaps covering them.

When removing keycaps, use a keycap puller tool and pull straight up vertically to avoid damaging the switches underneath. Remove any rubber membranes or silicon mats to fully expose the volume button mechanisms.²

Be very careful not to damage any other components while working inside the keyboard. Once done, carefully reassemble the keyboard case and test that the buttons no longer work.

Physically disabling the buttons will permanently stop them from functioning, so only attempt this if absolutely necessary and you are comfortable with keyboard modifications.

Alternatives to fully disabling buttons

While fully disabling your keyboard volume buttons may be the most effective solution, there are some alternatives that can still prevent accidental presses:

Remapping the buttons – Many keyboards allow you to remap buttons to other functions using manufacturer software. For example, you could remap the volume buttons to media controls instead. This way the buttons still work but won’t adjust system volume.

Covering the buttons – Small button covers made of silicone or other soft materials can fit over individual keys to block presses (see products on Amazon). You can also use medical or athletic tape over the buttons. Just make sure the tape doesn’t leave any sticky residue on the keys.

Using gloves – Wearing thin gloves while typing can prevent accidental key presses of all kinds. Look for gloves made specifically for typing that allow tactile feel and flexibility.

These alternatives allow you to maintain at least some of the button functionality while reducing accidental presses and system volume changes.

When to Avoid Disabling Volume Buttons

While disabling keyboard volume buttons can be convenient in certain situations, there are some downsides to consider before fully disabling them. Here are some cases where you may want to keep the buttons enabled:

If you frequently switch between audio devices like headphones, speakers, and microphones, having the dedicated volume buttons can make it quick and easy to adjust levels on the fly. Without the buttons, you’d have to go through system settings every time you switch devices. According to this Quora thread, many users find the keyboard shortcuts indispensable for audio control.

The buttons can also be useful as a backup if your main volume control stops working for some reason. Software bugs or improper configurations could cause system volume sliders to malfunction. With the buttons still enabled, you have a hardware fallback option.

If you share your computer with other people, like family members, having the dedicated keys avoids confusion over software volume controls. The buttons provide simple, universal audio adjustment without the need to learn specific keyboard shortcuts.

Fully disabling the buttons requires low-level software tweaks or even physical modifications. These changes can be difficult to reverse if you later decide you want the buttons enabled again. It’s better to use lighter modifications like remapping keys if you think you may want to revert them someday.

While keyboard volume buttons aren’t critical, they provide redundancy and convenience in many situations. Consider your specific needs before permanently disabling the keys.