How to Turn Keyboard Lighting On and Off (Plus Troubleshooting Tips)

How to turn on keyboard lighting (quick answer)

On most laptops with a backlit keyboard:

1. Look at the top row of function keys (F1 to F12) for a key with a small backlight icon, often a sun-like symbol with horizontal lines

2. The most common keys are F5, F9, or F11, depending on the laptop model

3. Press Fn + that key to turn the backlight on

4. Press the same combination again to adjust brightness or turn it off

If the key does nothing, your laptop may not have a backlit keyboard, or the feature may need to be enabled in settings or drivers. The sections below cover how to identify your specific key, what to do when it does not work, and how to customise lighting on gaming models.

Introduction

Keyboard backlighting is one of those small features that becomes essential the moment you need it, whether you're working late, typing in a dim room, or gaming in a darkened space. Most modern laptops include it, but not all do, and the way to control it varies by model.

This guide covers how to turn it on and off, adjust brightness, customise lighting on RGB keyboards, and fix the most common issues when the backlight does not respond.

Why your laptop might not have backlighting

Before troubleshooting, it is worth confirming that your laptop actually has a backlit keyboard.

Signs your laptop has backlighting:

• A small light icon on one of the function keys (F1 to F12)

• A backlight setting in the laptop's system tray or OEM software

• Manufacturer specifications mention "backlit keyboard"

Signs your laptop does not have backlighting:

• No backlight icon on any function key

• No reference to backlighting in the laptop's user manual

• Entry-level or budget laptop models often skip this feature

If your laptop does not include backlighting, no software setting can add it. The hardware needs to support it natively. The good news is that an external backlit keyboard is a simple alternative.

How to turn on a backlit keyboard

The process is the same on most laptops with this feature.

Steps:

1. Locate the backlight key in the top row, usually F5, F9, or F11

2. Press Fn + the backlight key

3. The keyboard should light up

On some models, the function key works on its own without pressing Fn. If pressing it alone does not work, try pressing Fn first.

How to turn off a backlit keyboard

The same key that turns the backlight on usually turns it off, either by pressing it again or by cycling through brightness levels until it turns off.

Steps:

1. Press Fn + the backlight key repeatedly

2. Most laptops cycle through: off → low → medium → high → off again

3. Stop at the desired setting

If your laptop has only on/off (no brightness levels), a single press is enough to toggle it.

How to adjust backlight brightness

Most modern laptops include two or three brightness levels.

Steps:

1. Press Fn + the backlight key once for low brightness

2. Press it again for medium or high brightness

3. Press it again to turn the backlight off

If your laptop supports more advanced control, the manufacturer's software may offer additional brightness or timeout settings.

How to find the right backlight key on your specific laptop

The backlight key varies between models. Here is how to identify yours.

Look for these icons:

• A small sun-like symbol with horizontal lines

• A backlight icon next to F5, F9, or F11 (most common)

• Sometimes the Spacebar or a dedicated key has the icon

If the icon is hard to find:

• Check the laptop's user manual or quick start guide

• Look up your exact model number. If you need help locating it, learn how to find your HP laptop model number

• Visit the manufacturer's support page for your specific laptop

Knowing your model number is often the fastest way to confirm where the key is located.

What if the backlight key does not work?

If you press the key and nothing happens, there are a few common causes.

1. Function key lock (Fn lock) is enabled or disabled incorrectly

Some laptops have an Fn lock that changes how function keys behave.

• Press Fn + Esc or check for an Fn Lock indicator on the keyboard

• Toggle the Fn lock and try again

2. Keyboard drivers are outdated or corrupted

1. Open Device Manager

2. Expand Keyboards

3. Right-click your keyboard and select Update driver

4. Restart the laptop

3. Backlight is disabled in BIOS or UEFI

Some laptops include a BIOS setting that controls the keyboard backlight.

1. Restart the laptop and enter BIOS (commonly Esc then F10 on HP devices)

2. Look for a keyboard backlight option

3. Enable it if disabled, save, and exit

4. Power settings are turning the backlight off

On battery, some laptops dim or disable the backlight to save power.

1. Open Settings, then System, then Power & battery

2. Adjust the Battery Saver or Power mode settings

3. Connect the laptop to power and test again

5. Manufacturer software needs updating

OEM tools like HP Support Assistant manage some keyboard features. Make sure these apps are installed and up to date.

Customising RGB keyboards on HP OMEN laptops

Gaming laptops in the OMEN range support full RGB customisation through the OMEN Gaming Hub.

Steps to access keyboard settings:

1. Open OMEN Gaming Hub from the Start menu or Windows taskbar

2. Select the Lighting section in the sidebar

3. Choose Keyboard from the device options

4. Select one of the available modes:

• Static: assign specific colours to specific keys or zones

• Animation: dynamic lighting effects

• Off: turn the backlight off

Static mode

In Static mode, you can assign individual colours to keys or zones. Common templates include:

• WASD movement zone

• FPS gaming layout

• MOBA layout

• Custom layouts

Why this matters for gamers

Assigning different colours to action keys, movement keys, and ability keys makes it easier to find the right key quickly during fast-paced games.

Animation modes on HP OMEN laptops

Animation modes bring the keyboard to life with dynamic lighting.

Common effects available:

• Colour Cycle: a gradient that shifts through colours

• Breathing: gentle fade in and out

• Wave: colours move across the keyboard

• Ripple: lighting reacts to key presses

• Audio Pulse: lighting reacts to system audio

How to apply an effect:

1. In OMEN Gaming Hub, go to Lighting, then Keyboard

2. Select Animation mode

3. Choose the desired effect from the dropdown

4. Adjust speed, direction, and colour scheme if available

5. Click Apply

Can I add backlighting to a laptop that doesn't have one?

Adding backlighting to a laptop that does not include it natively is generally not practical. Laptop keyboards are built into the chassis, and modifying them requires hardware-level work that risks damaging the device.

Better alternatives:

• Use an external backlit keyboard connected via USB or Bluetooth; this is by far the simplest solution

• Add an external light source, such as a clip-on USB light, that illuminates the keyboard from above

• Adjust the display brightness so the screen lights the keyboard area indirectly

For external keyboard options, explore the HP keyboard collection.

FAQs

How do I know if my laptop has a backlit keyboard?

Look for a backlight icon on one of the function keys (commonly F5, F9, or F11). You can also check the laptop's specifications or user manual.

What is the most common key to turn on the backlight?

F5, F9, or F11 are the most common, used with Fn. The specific key depends on the laptop model.

Why does the backlight turn off automatically?

Most laptops dim or turn off the backlight after a few seconds of inactivity to conserve battery power. This timeout can sometimes be adjusted in OEM software.

Can I keep the backlight on permanently?

On most laptops, no. The backlight is designed to turn off after a period of inactivity. Some gaming laptops, including HP OMEN models, allow a constant backlight through the OMEN Gaming Hub.

Why does the backlight key not work on my new laptop?

Possible reasons include:

• Drivers not yet installed

• Fn lock active

• BIOS setting disabled

• Power-saving mode dimming the backlight

Can I change the backlight colour on any laptop?

Only laptops with RGB-capable keyboards (typically gaming models). Standard backlit keyboards usually only offer white lighting.

Does keeping the backlight on drain battery faster?

Yes, but the impact is small. The display and processor consume far more power than the keyboard backlight.

Explore HP laptops with backlit keyboards

HP offers backlit keyboards across many of its laptop ranges, from everyday OmniBook devices to OMEN gaming laptops, Spectre premium laptops, and ZBook workstations.

Browse HP laptops with backlit keyboards to compare current models and features.

Final thoughts

Turning on a backlit keyboard is usually as simple as finding the right function key and pressing it with the Fn key. When it does not work, the cause is almost always a setting, a driver, or a power option, not the hardware itself.

For laptops without built-in backlighting, an external backlit keyboard is a straightforward solution that delivers the same benefit without modification.

Knowing the small details, like where your specific backlight key is and what to do if it stops responding, makes a real difference when you need light fast.

Explore the HP Tech Takes blog for practical guides, technology trends, and helpful tips.