There is a difference between what triggers an unlock and what people assume triggers it. How to Unlock FN Key is a good example of that gap.

Check the collection screen rather than your inventory to confirm it registered. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.

The short answer

The unlock fires on a specific condition rather than on progress in general, so aim directly at that condition instead of playing more.

If the unlock does not appear

Unlocks that depend on a hidden counter are the ones that generate the most bad advice. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. Check the collection screen rather than your inventory to confirm it registered. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago.

What the requirement actually is

Some conditions only evaluate when you return to a hub area, which makes them look broken. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem.

  • Restart fully after a change rather than trusting a quick reload.
  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.

How to tell it worked

Some conditions only evaluate when you return to a hub area, which makes them look broken. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Anything marked optional really is optional, so skip it without guilt.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
  • Trusting a video thumbnail over the actual patch notes.
  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.

Frequently asked questions

Does difficulty affect this unlock?

In most cases no. Difficulty changes rewards more often than it changes unlock conditions.

Can it be missed permanently?

A few unlocks are tied to a point of no return. If yours is, the guide above flags the last safe moment to do it.

Is there a faster method?

Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.

Bookmark this if you expect to look up how to unlock fn key again after the next update.