Dell Inspiron 7000 :: Function Keys Change In Use Unexpectedly

It seems as if the first time after I restart my laptop (Dell inspiron 7000 series, windows 8.1) and I attempt to use the volume/ backlight toggle/ brightness/ etc keys found on the F keys on my keyboard, I can use them pretty much freely. The problem is after I close my laptop for the first time since restarting I then have to hold the Fn button to use them. It can be very annoying at times considering you eventually get used to holding the Fn key, so after the first time using them since restarted you end up hitting F4/5/6 etc instead of changing the brightness or whatever setting you are trying to change. I was wondering if there was some type of setting where I can make these keys permanently free to use as opposed to having to hold the Fn keys after the first time the laptop is in sleep mode.