The backlight on a laptop is a very useful tool when working with a laptop in a dimly lit room. It helps you to display the keys clearly to make typing easier.
Backlighting for the keyboard is not only used to make it easier to see the keys. It is also used for entertainment. Think of RGB backlit keyboards with possible effects.
If the backlight does not work, you are missing this tool while it should be working. In this guide I offer you a number of tips to get the malfunctioning backlight working again.
Keyboard backlight not working in Windows 11
Before I proceed to settings in Windows 11, it is important to check the physical settings first. It is not always a problem in Windows 11. It can sometimes also be solved with a few keys.
Keyboard brightness
I also recommend starting by checking the keyboard brightness.
Check the brightness via the function keys: Fn + F3 or Fn + F4: This combination is often used to decrease (Fn + F3) or increase (Fn + F4) the brightness of the keyboard backlight. Hold down the Fn key and press the F3 or F4 key repeatedly to set the desired brightness.
Some laptops like Lenovo have a special key with a keyboard or backlight icon. This key, in combination with the Fn key, can be used to turn the keyboard backlight on or off or to cycle through different lighting modes. In the case of Lenovo this is the Fn key + space bar.
If your laptop has special keys for managing the keyboard backlight, they may be labeled with symbols such as a sun, moon, or lamp. These keys can be used to adjust the brightness, turn the lights on or off, or switch between different lighting modes.
So it is very dependent on brand or model of laptop which key is used for the keyboard backlight. Below is an example of my laptop for reference. It is a Lenovo model.
External software
If you have a specific type of keyboard with special lighting, you often need to provide these types of keyboards with specific software and associated drivers. I have put together a list of the most famous brands and associated software with which you can manage the keyboard backlight.
Lenovo
For example, for a Lenovo laptop this is the software “Lenovo vantage“. In this software you can enable or disable external functions such as keyboard backlight.
HP
If you have an HP laptop, you can use the software “Omen gaming hub” or “HP Command Center” to manage keyboard backlight settings.
ASUS
If you have an ASUS laptop, you can use the “Armory Crate” software (Aura Sync) to manage keyboard backlighting.
This type of software generally also installs the appropriate drivers for a backlit RGB color keyboard.
Keyboard troubleshooter
If you are still having problems with your keyboard backlight, running the keyboard troubleshooter in Windows 11 may help.
Open the settings. In the settings, click on “System” and then on “Troubleshooting”.
Click on “other troubleshooters” at the bottom.
In the list of troubleshooters, click the “run” button to the right of “keyboard” to run the keyboard troubleshooter.
There are many more tips available on the internet. Think about this updating the drivers for the keyboard and it uninstalling a Windows update. I don't believe in these kinds of tips, they usually don't work. If you have not already done so, try restarting the computer.
I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!