How to Turn Off or On the Keyboard Light on Windows PC or Laptop?
In this post, we will learn how to Turn Off or On Keyboard Light on Windows PC or Laptop, whether you use Lenovo, Asus, HP, Acer, or Dell, or any other brands that provide built-in keyboard lighting controls.
Whether you are working late at night, gaming in a dim room, or simply want better visibility, the keyboard light can be a helpful tool.
However, the process of turning on or off keyboard backlighting may differ slightly depending on the laptop brand and model, but the core steps remain similar across all Windows laptops and PCs.
So, no matter which Windows laptop or PC brand you use, the steps mentioned in this guide will be worth it for you!
How to Turn Off Keyboard Light on Windows PC or Laptop?
To turn off the keyboard light on a Windows laptop, press the dedicated keyboard backlight shortcut key, usually the Fn key combined with a function key like F3, F4, or F5, depending on your laptop brand. You can also turn off the keyboard backlight from BIOS settings or through manufacturer software such as Lenovo Vantage, Dell QuickSet, or HP Command Center.
Turning off the keyboard light on your laptop is simple and can be done in a few seconds. Most laptops allow you to control the keyboard backlight directly using keyboard shortcuts. If that does not work, you can adjust settings through the system software or BIOS.
The following steps explain the complete process for Lenovo, Asus, HP, Acer, or Dell laptops or PCs in detail.
Step 1: Locate the Keyboard Backlight Shortcut Key
The first step is to identify the keyboard backlight key on your laptop. Most laptops include a dedicated shortcut key that controls keyboard lighting. This key is usually located on the top row of the keyboard and marked with a keyboard light icon.
On Lenovo laptops, the shortcut is often Fn + Spacebar or Fn + F5. On Asus laptops, it is commonly Fn + F3 to reduce brightness and Fn + F4 to increase or turn off. HP laptops often use Fn + F5, while Dell laptops may use Fn + F10 or Fn + Right Arrow. Acer laptops typically use Fn + F9 or Fn + F8.
Look closely at the function keys to find the symbol that looks like a glowing keyboard or light icon. This symbol indicates the keyboard backlight control.
Step 2: Use the Shortcut Key to Turn Off the Light
Once you locate the correct key combination, press the Fn key together with the keyboard light key. Each time you press the shortcut, the brightness level will change. Many laptops have three levels of brightness followed by an off setting.
Press the shortcut repeatedly until the keyboard light turns off completely. If your laptop has only two brightness levels, pressing the shortcut twice or three times should turn it off.
This is the fastest and easiest way to disable the keyboard backlight on most Windows laptops.
Step 3: Check Manufacturer Software Settings
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, your laptop may require using the manufacturer’s software to control the backlight. Many brands provide dedicated utilities to manage hardware features.
For Lenovo laptops, open Lenovo Vantage and navigate to the input or keyboard section. From there, you can turn off the keyboard backlight.
On Dell laptops, open Dell QuickSet or Dell Power Manager to find keyboard backlight settings. HP users can use either the HP Command Center or the HP OMEN Gaming Hub. Asus users can check Armoury Crate or MyAsus. Acer users can open Acer Care Center.
Within these programs, locate the keyboard lighting option and set it to off.
Step 4: Adjust Keyboard Backlight Settings in BIOS
If software and shortcut keys do not work, you can turn off the keyboard light through the BIOS settings. Restart your laptop and press the BIOS key, usually F2, F10, Delete, or Esc, depending on the brand.
Once inside BIOS, navigate to advanced or configuration settings. Look for keyboard backlight options. Change the setting to off or disabled. Save the changes and exit the BIOS. Your laptop will restart with the keyboard light turned off.
Step 5: Check Windows Mobility Center
Some laptops allow keyboard lighting control through Windows Mobility Center. Press the Windows key and type Mobility Center. Open it and look for keyboard brightness settings. If available, set the brightness to zero to turn off the keyboard light.
This method works on select Dell and HP laptops.
How to Turn On the Keyboard Light?
Turning on the keyboard light follows the same process as turning it off. If your laptop supports backlit keyboards, you can enable the light in seconds using shortcut keys or system settings.
Start by pressing the Fn key along with the keyboard backlight key. Pressing the shortcut once usually turns on the light at the lowest brightness level. Press it again to increase brightness. Continue pressing until you reach your desired lighting level.
If the keyboard light does not turn on, check your laptop settings through manufacturer software such as Lenovo Vantage, MyAsus, HP Command Center, Dell Power Manager, or Acer Care Center. Navigate to keyboard settings and enable the backlight feature.
You can also turn on the keyboard light through BIOS settings. Restart your laptop, enter BIOS, and locate keyboard backlight settings. Enable the backlight and save changes.
Some laptops automatically turn on the keyboard light when the system detects low ambient lighting. You can adjust this feature through the system software if available. Enabling automatic lighting helps save battery and provides convenience in dark environments.
Faqs
Why is my keyboard light not turning on?
Your laptop may not support a backlit keyboard. Check your laptop specifications to confirm. If supported, ensure keyboard backlight is enabled in BIOS and manufacturer software.
Which key turns on the keyboard light?
Most laptops use the Fn key combined with a function key such as F3, F4, F5, F9, or F10. The exact key depends on the laptop brand and model.
Can I keep the keyboard light always on?
Yes, many laptops allow you to keep the keyboard light always on through BIOS or manufacturer software. Adjust the backlight timeout setting and choose always on.
Does keyboard backlight drain battery?
Yes, using the keyboard backlight consumes battery power. Turning it off when not needed can help extend battery life, especially on laptops.
How do I know if my laptop has a backlit keyboard?
Look for a keyboard light icon on function keys or check your laptop specifications online. If there is no icon or setting, your laptop may not have this feature.
Can I change the keyboard light color?
Some gaming laptops allow changing keyboard light colors using software such as Armoury Crate or Alienware Command Center. Standard laptops usually offer only a white backlight.
Why is my keyboard backlight turning off automatically?
Many laptops have automatic timeout settings to save battery. You can adjust this in BIOS or manufacturer software to keep the light on longer.