A backlit keyboard makes working and gaming after dark easier, but its benefits go beyond simply making the keys more visible. On laptops, a single shortcut is usually enough to turn the backlight on or adjust its brightness. Mechanical keyboards offer much more – from colors and RGB effects to custom profiles, per-key lighting, and settings tailored to different games and applications.
In this guide, we'll show you how to turn on keyboard backlighting on ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo laptops and MacBooks, what to do if it stops working, and how it differs from the solutions used in modern mechanical keyboards. You'll also learn what RGB lighting can do, when profiles are useful, and how to make use of them at work and while gaming.
How to turn on keyboard backlighting?
On most laptops, turning on the backlight takes only a few seconds. Usually, all you need is the right keyboard shortcut – typically the Fn key plus one of the function keys marked with a keyboard icon and light rays. This is the fastest way to turn the backlight on or off or change its brightness level.
If the first shortcut doesn't work, it doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong. Manufacturers often use different key combinations even within the same laptop series, so it's worth trying a few of the most common shortcuts or checking the manual for your specific model.
- Asus – on most models, you can turn on the backlight with Fn + F7. Each press changes the brightness level until the backlight is turned off completely. If that does not work, also try Fn + F3 or Fn + F4, which are used on some models. On ASUS gaming laptops, the controls may also be assigned to the arrow keys.
- Dell – the backlight is most commonly controlled with F5, F6, F7 or F10 (together with Fn if required). On some models, this function is assigned to the right arrow key or a dedicated key marked with a backlight icon.
- HP – the backlight icon is most often found on F4, F5, F9 or F11. On some models, pressing the key on its own is enough; on others, you need to use it together with Fn.
- Lenovo – start with Fn + Spacebar. Pressing it repeatedly cycles through the brightness levels. On ThinkPad models, you will also often find the Fn + Page Up shortcut.
- MacBook – the way you adjust the backlight depends on the model. On older computers, you can change the brightness with F5 and F6, while on newer ones the relevant options are available in Control Center or System Settings → Keyboard. Many models automatically adjust the backlight brightness to the ambient lighting conditions.
Regardless of the manufacturer, one rule generally applies: the same shortcut that turns the backlight on is usually also used to turn it off or adjust its brightness. Repeated presses cycle through the available modes until the backlight is switched off completely.
Can't find your model, or none of the shortcuts work? Don't guess. Enter the exact model number of your laptop on the manufacturer's website and check the user manual or the section dedicated to the keyboard. This is usually faster than trying one key combination after another.
Keyboard backlight not working? Start here
If you're using the correct shortcut and the backlight still won't turn on, it doesn't necessarily mean there is a fault. In most cases, the issue is caused by system settings, the manufacturer's app, or the laptop configuration. It's worth checking a few basic things before assuming a repair is needed.
- Automatic timeout – many laptops turn off the backlight after a few to a dozen seconds of inactivity to save battery power. You can change the timeout in the manufacturer’s app (e.g. Lenovo Vantage, MyASUS, Armoury Crate, Dell Power Manager or HP Command Center).
- Drivers – if the issue appeared after a system update, download the latest drivers from the laptop manufacturer’s website and restart the computer.
- Fn Lock – check whether it was enabled accidentally. It changes how the function keys work and may prevent you from controlling the backlight.
- BIOS – on some laptops, you can also find the backlight option in the BIOS settings, which you can usually open by pressing F2, F10 or Delete while the computer is starting.
If none of these methods helps, make sure your model actually supports a backlit keyboard. On many entry-level laptops, it is optional or not available at all. If you are using a mechanical keyboard, however, you will usually have far more control over the lighting than on a laptop – and that is what we will look at in the next part of this guide.
Why does backlighting on mechanical keyboards offer more options?
On laptops, backlighting has one main purpose – it makes the keyboard easier to use after dark. Mechanical keyboards also use lighting as a personalization feature that can make working and gaming more convenient.
Besides brightness adjustment, they let you change colors and lighting effects, create custom profiles, and assign lighting to selected keys. It's not just about looks. You can highlight the WASD keys in games, make your most frequently used shortcuts in Photoshop or Excel stand out, or mark the keys you use for video editing or programming. This makes it easier to find the most important keys without taking your eyes off the screen.
A good approach is to prepare two or three profiles – for example, one for work, one for gaming, and one for everyday computer use. Switching between them takes only a few seconds, so you don't have to change the settings manually every time.
How do you control backlighting on a mechanical keyboard?
Most modern mechanical keyboards let you control the lighting in two ways. Basic functions – such as changing brightness, effects, or profiles – can be handled with keyboard shortcuts. For everyday use, that is usually all you need.
If you want to tailor the keyboard to your needs, it's worth using the manufacturer's software. It lets you assign colors to individual keys, create custom effects, save profiles, and link them to macros or specific applications. This makes it easy to match the lighting to the way you work or to the game you are currently playing.
Good examples are ENDORFY mechanical keyboards. You can control the basic functions directly from the keyboard, while more advanced personalization is available in the manufacturer’s software. Many models save their configuration in built-in memory, so when you connect the keyboard to another computer, you do not have to set up the profiles or lighting again. On modern mechanical keyboards, RGB is not just a visual feature – it is a function that can make everyday work and gaming more convenient.
