Skip to main content
  • Place orders quickly and easily
  • View orders and track your shipping status
  • Enjoy members-only rewards and discounts
  • Create and access a list of your products
Some article numbers may have changed. If this isn't what you're looking for, try searching all articles. Search articles

How to Turn Off or On and Troubleshoot the Backlit Keyboard on Dell Laptop

Summary: Learn how to turn on a backlit keyboard, keep keyboard backlight off, and troubleshoot common issues like keyboard illumination not working. Follow easy steps for enabling and adjusting backlit settings on Dell laptops. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions

Depending on the model of your Dell computer and the features that are installed, it may or may not have a backlit keyboard.

The easiest way to determine whether your computer is equipped with a backlit keyboard or not is to look for the Backlit (Keyboard Backlit Key) key, commonly found on the F5, F6, F7, F10, or right arrow key (located in the lower right corner).

For additional information about locating the Backlit key on your computer, see your Dell computer documentation.

NOTE: When your computer does not have the Backlit key, your computer does not have this feature.

 


To cycle through the brightness options on your keyboard, press and hold the Fn key and then press the Backlit key.

NOTE: When nothing happens press and hold the Fn key and then press the Esc key, and then try again.

 


When the key combinations still do not cycle through the options, ensure that the computer has the latest System Setup (BIOS). For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Dell BIOS and UEFI Updates.

After updating the BIOS and the keyboard backlight still does not cycle through the options, perform the steps below to ensure that the Keyboard Illumination is enabled in the BIOS.

NOTE: The instructions listed are for the latest known BIOS configuration. Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options, you may have to search for the Keyboard Illumination option (when available).

 

  1. With the computer powered off, press the power button.


  2. Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).
  3. Once in the BIOS, click Keyboard.
  4. In the Keyboard Illumination section, select the wanted options (Figure 1).
    Keyboard Illumination Settings
    Figure 1: Keyboard Illumination Settings
    NOTE: When Keyboard Illumination is not an option, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.

  5. Click APPLY CHANGES, and then EXIT.

Back to top

Additional Information

How to Fix Keyboard Not Lighting Up

Duration: 02:55
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the Settings or CC icon on this video player.


Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

Affected Products

Chromebook, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Mobile Workstations
Article Properties
Article Number: 000132120
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 08 nov 2024
Version:  23
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.