Turning on your keyboard lights improves visibility in low-light environments and enhances typing accuracy. Most laptops and keyboards offer easy shortcuts or settings to activate backlighting, providing both aesthetic and practical benefits.
Turning on the lights on your keyboard can be very helpful, especially when you’re working in a dark room or during late hours. Whether you’re using a laptop or a desktop keyboard, many devices offer this feature.
This article will help you understand how to turn on keyboard lights across different laptop brands, troubleshoot problems, and discuss the benefits of using a backlit keyboard.
Introduction to Keyboard Light:
A keyboard light is not just about making your keyboard look cool—it has practical benefits too. It can improve your typing experience in low-light environments, help you see the keys more clearly, and make your workspace look neat. Many modern laptops and keyboards include backlight options that you can control with a few simple steps.
How Do I Make a Keyboard Light Up?

Turning on the keyboard lights is easy once you know how. Here are the basic steps you should follow:
- Find the Light Control Key: Most laptops and keyboards have a special key with a light symbol or bulb icon on it. It’s usually found in the top row, among the function keys (F1 to F12).
- Use the Function Key: Many keyboards require you to press the Fn (Function) key along with the key that controls the light to turn it on. For example, you might press Fn + F5 to turn on the light.
- Use Keyboard Software: If you are using a gaming keyboard or a high-end device, you may need to use special software to control the lights. The software allows you to adjust brightness, color, and even effects like flashing lights.
Shortcuts to Turn On Keyboard Light:
Each brand might have its own shortcut for turning on the keyboard light. Here are some common ones:
- Fn + F5 or Fn + F6: These shortcuts are common on laptops like HP and Lenovo.
- Fn + Spacebar: This works for Lenovo laptops.
- Windows Key + Spacebar: This is another common shortcut on some Windows laptops.
If these shortcuts don’t work, you might need to check your user manual for your laptop or keyboard model.
How to Turn On Keyboard Light on These Laptops: Complete Guide?
Apple Keyboard
Apple keyboards, especially on MacBooks, have an easy way to turn on the lights:
- Press F5 to decrease the brightness or F6 to increase it.
- For MacBooks with a Touch Bar, tap the brightness control and slide to adjust the lighting.
Dell Keyboard
Dell laptops often use the F10 key to control the keyboard backlight:
- Press F10 or Fn + F10 to toggle the backlight on or off.
- Some models might use Fn + F6 or Fn + F5 to control the light.
Also Read: How To Unlock Keyboard – Comprehensive Guide!
HP Keyboard
HP laptops typically use the F5 or F12 key:
- Press F5 or F12 to turn on the backlight.
- If this doesn’t work, try Fn + F5.
Lenovo Keyboard
Most Lenovo laptops use the Fn + Spacebar combination:
- Press Fn + Spacebar to cycle through off, low brightness, and high brightness.
Logitech Keyboard
Logitech keyboards, especially gaming models, often use special software:
- Download Logitech G Hub to control your keyboard’s lighting.
- Some Logitech keyboards may also use F5 or Fn + F5 to adjust the brightness manually.
Zebronics Keyboard
For Zebronics keyboards:
- Press Fn + F8 or Fn + F9 to turn on the backlight.
- Use Zebronics software for more advanced control of lighting features.
Ritcomp Keyboard
For Ritcomp keyboards:
- Press Fn + Spacebar to toggle the backlight.
- You may need to download Ritcomp software for additional lighting settings.
Microsoft Keyboard
For Microsoft Surface and other Microsoft keyboards:
- Use the F1 key to reduce brightness and F2 to increase it.
- On Surface laptops, the keyboard backlight automatically adjusts based on the lighting in the room.
Keyboard Light Issues: What to Do When the Light Won’t Turn On?

If your keyboard light isn’t turning on, don’t worry—there are a few simple steps you can try to fix the issue:
1. Check for a Backlight Key
First, make sure you are using the correct key combination. The backlight control key may have a light bulb or keyboard icon. If you are unsure, refer to your device’s manual.
2. Update Your Keyboard Drivers
Outdated drivers can cause problems with your keyboard light. To update your drivers:
- Go to Device Manager on your computer.
- Find your keyboard in the list of devices.
- Right-click and select Update Driver.
3. Restart Your Computer
A simple restart can fix minor issues. Try turning your computer off and back on to see if the backlight works afterward.
4. Adjust Power Settings
Some laptops automatically disable the keyboard backlight when the battery is low. Check your power settings to ensure the backlight is enabled.
How to Turn On the Keyboard Light on Windows Computers?
If you’re using a Windows computer, turning on the keyboard light is straightforward:
- Press the function key that controls the backlight. This is usually one of the F keys (F5, F6, or F10).
- If the light doesn’t turn on, go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Keyboard to adjust the lighting settings.
Also Read: Laptop Keyboard Not Working – Here’s How to Fix It!
What If a Windows Keyboard Light Won’t Turn On?
Here’s what you can do if your Windows keyboard light won’t turn on:
- Check for the Backlight Key: Make sure you’re using the right combination of keys (e.g., Fn + F5).
- Update Keyboard Drivers: Go to Device Manager and update your drivers.
- Check Power Settings: Make sure the backlight isn’t turned off in low power mode.
- Restart the Computer: Sometimes, a restart is all it takes to fix the issue.
Can I Turn Off the Keyboard Backlight?

Yes, you can turn off the keyboard backlight by pressing the same key combination used to turn it on. For example, pressing Fn + F5 again will turn the lights off. You can also adjust the brightness or completely disable the light through your laptop or keyboard settings.
Benefits of Keyboard Light:
Using a keyboard with lights has several advantages:
- Improved Visibility: Typing in low-light environments becomes much easier when your keyboard is backlit, reducing eye strain and making you more productive.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Backlit keyboards can add a stylish look to your workspace. If you have an RGB keyboard, you can even customize the colors for a personalized touch.
- Better Accuracy: With lights on your keyboard, it’s easier to avoid typos and mistakes, especially when typing in the dark.
FAQs:
1. How do I make my keyboard light up?
You can turn on your keyboard light by pressing the function key combination, usually Fn + F5 or F6, depending on your keyboard model.
2. Why won’t my keyboard light turn on?
Check for a backlight key, update your keyboard drivers, or adjust your power settings if the light doesn’t work. Restarting your computer can also help fix the issue.
3. Is it possible to change the keyboard light’s brightness?
Yes, most keyboards allow you to adjust brightness through shortcuts like F5 and F6, or through your device settings under Keyboard or Ease of Access.
4. How do I turn on the keyboard light on a Windows laptop?
Press the function key (usually F5 or F6) to turn on the backlight. If this doesn’t work, check your Control Panel settings for lighting options.
5. Is the keyboard light available on all laptops?
No, not all laptops have backlit keyboards. Check your device specifications or manual to confirm if your laptop supports keyboard lighting.
Conclusion:
A backlit keyboard provides significant advantages for low-light conditions, improving visibility, reducing eye strain, and enhancing typing accuracy. Whether you’re using a Mac, Windows, or another brand of keyboard, turning on the lights is typically easy via simple shortcuts or settings. If issues arise, updating drivers or checking power settings often resolves them. Ultimately, backlit keyboards offer both functional and aesthetic benefits for an enhanced typing experience.