How To Fix Keyboard Backlight Not Working In Windows 11

Fix: keyboard backlight not working

Windows 11 is a sleek and modern operating system that comes with a host of exciting features and improvements. Among these features is the keyboard backlight functionality, which enhances both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your laptop. However, like any software, Windows 11 is not without its quirks, and users may encounter issues like keyboard backlight not working from time to time. One such problem is the keyboard backlight not working as expected.

If you’ve found yourself facing this keyboard backlight not working issue, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many users have reported problems with their keyboard backlight not working correctly in Windows 11. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve this keyboard backlight not working issue and get your keyboard backlight back to working seamlessly. In this article, we’ll explore these solutions in detail, ensuring that you can enjoy your Windows 11 experience to the fullest.

How to Fix the keyboard backlight not working

This manual includes detailed instructions for fixing the “keyboard backlight not working” issue for PCs running Windows 11.

Restart Your Computer

Your device could occasionally require assistance to launch all the applications and programs. When the keyboard backlight not working, restarting the device is recommended. The device will start all the programs effectively after restarting.

By opting to restart your computer, you are essentially granting it a fresh start and an opportunity to rectify any underlying glitches or conflicts that may have led to the keyboard backlight not working issue. This is a foundational troubleshooting step that can often provide swift relief from the issue at hand.

1. Check for Hardware Issues

Before diving into software-related fixes, it’s crucial to ensure that the problem isn’t rooted in your hardware. Start by checking if the function keys themselves are functioning correctly. Press other function keys like volume control or mute to see if they work as expected. If these keys are also unresponsive, it could indicate a hardware issue, such as a faulty keyboard or a loose connection.

To rule out hardware problems, try the following:

a. External Keyboard Test: If you’re using a laptop, connect an external keyboard to your device and check if the backlight keys on the external keyboard work. If they do, it’s likely a hardware issue with your laptop’s built-in keyboard.

b. Laptop Keyboard Inspection: If you suspect a problem with your laptop’s keyboard, carefully clean it and check for any physical damage or debris that might be obstructing the function keys.

c. Driver Updates: Ensure that your keyboard drivers are up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website or using Windows Update.

If the issue persists after checking these hardware-related factors, proceed to the software troubleshooting steps.

2. Enable the Keyboard Backlight From the Control Panel

The first step in troubleshooting a keyboard backlight not working issue in Windows 11 is to check your keyboard backlight settings.

If the keyboard backlight is still not functioning, there’s a potential that it was accidentally turned off. Fortunately, you may turn on the keyboard backlight from the Windows 11 PC’s Control Panel. The procedures are as follows.

In the top search box, press the Windows key, type “Control Panel,” and then click the appropriate search result.
Select “Hardware and Sound” under View By Category.
The “Windows Mobility Center” option can be found and chosen.
Adjust the backlight brightness to your preference using the slider.
Test the keyboard backlight to see if it’s now functioning correctly.

3. Update Keyboard Drivers

The cause of broken keyboard features like the backlight could possibly be an outdated and faulty keyboard driver. In this case, you can do the following actions to update your keyboard driver and fix this keyboard backlight not working issue:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
In the Device Manager window, expand the Keyboards section.
Right-click on the Keyboard driver and choose Uninstall Driver. Uncheck the “Delete the driver software for this device.” option in the pop-up if it shows up.

brightness control function keys not working

Go to the top menu in Device Manager and under the Action tab, select Scan for hardware changes.

The driver should appear back in the Keyboards list. If it does not, then restart your PC and it will appear back.
Right-click on the keyboard driver again and choose Update Driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will scan for available driver updates and download them.
Restart your PC to apply the changes.

Increase Backlight Brightness Levels

Try changing the keyboard brightness levels to solve the potential issue of the brightness level being too low for a faster fix.

Find the key on your keyboard that has the backlight icon, and then hit it twice or three times in a row. If tapping the backlight symbol by itself doesn’t work, press the Fn and backlight keys at the same time.

If your keyboard backlight not working, this combination should assist in raising its brightness level.

4. Use Keyboard Troubleshooter

You can use Windows’ integrated troubleshooting tools to identify and fix the underlying issues if installing the driver didn’t fix the keyboard backlight not working issue with your backlit keyboard. Run a keyboard troubleshooter on a Windows 11 computer by following these steps.

Open Settings, by pressing Windows + I together.
Select the System tab, and click on the Troubleshoot option.
Click on Other troubleshooters.
Click on Run in front of the Keyboard Troubleshooter option.

5. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

If the previous fixes were not successful, the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter is the next thing to attempt. Any hardware or device issues with your computer, including the keyboard issue like the keyboard backlight not working, can be found and fixed using this tool.

The troubleshooter first confirms that the device’s drivers are up to date and correctly installed before beginning the troubleshooting procedure. Additionally, it will look for any hardware conflicts and problems with power management. If there are any issues, it will either suggest solutions or point you toward the manufacturer’s website. Follow these steps to launch the troubleshooter:

To display the Run dialogue box, use the Windows + R keys.
In the Run box, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
Click on Next to run the troubleshooter.

6. Restart Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer is a system that serves as the graphical interface for several tools such as File Explorer, the taskbar, and the Start menu. Instead of restarting the system to resolve difficulties, just restart the Windows Explorer process, which can solve the keyboard backlight not working issue. Take the following steps:

To access the task manager, press Shift+Ctrl+Esc, or Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
In the Task Manager window, navigate to the “Processes” tab.
Select Windows Explorer.
Right-click on Windows Explorer and select the Restart option.

7. Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft regularly releases updates for Windows 11 to fix bugs and improve system stability. Ensuring that your operating system is up to date can help resolve various issues, including keyboard backlight not working problems.

Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
In the Update & Security window, click on Windows Update in the left-hand menu.
Click on Check for updates and let Windows search for and install any available updates.
After the updates are installed, restart your computer and check if the brightness control function keys are functioning correctly.

brightness control function key not working

8. Perform a Clean Boot

To address the issue of your non-functional backlit keyboard, doing a clean boot on your computer is recommended. By doing so, your system will start without any third-party software that could interfere with the performance of your keyboard backlight.

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “msconfig” and press Enter to open the System Configuration.
In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab.
Check the box that says “Hide all Microsoft services.“
Click the “Disable all” button.

Next, go to the “Startup” tab and click on “Open Task Manager.“
In the Task Manager window, disable all the startup programs by right-clicking on each entry and selecting “Disable.”

Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
Click “OK” and then restart your computer.

9. Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts

Sometimes, third-party software or utilities can interfere with the keyboard backlight functionality. To check for conflicts:

Press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” to open the Task Manager.
Go to the “Startup” tab.
Disable any third-party software that you suspect might be causing conflicts with the keyboard backlight.
Restart your computer.
Test the keyboard backlight to see if the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

Experiencing issues with your keyboard backlight in Windows 11 can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve the keyboard backlight not working problem on your own. Start by checking your keyboard backlight settings and ensuring your drivers are up to date. If the issue persists, consider restarting Windows Explorer, checking for Windows updates, and disabling and re-enabling the keyboard backlight. If all else fails, you can explore the possibility of third-party software conflicts or even perform a system restore to a previous state. If the keyboard backlight not working problem turns out to be a hardware issue, contact your laptop’s manufacturer for further assistance. With patience and persistence, you can get your keyboard backlight working correctly in Windows 11 and enjoy a more comfortable computing experience.