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 is to look at the F10, F6, or right arrow key (located in the lower right corner). If none of these keys have the illumination icon printed on it, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.
See Table 1 to see what the icon looks like and what key combinations to use for switching the brightness options on your keyboard.
Possible Backlit Keyboard Key Combinations
|
|
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Press the F10 key.
Note: When nothing happens while pressing the F10 key,
Press and hold the Fn key and press the Esc key, and try again. |
|
Press and hold the Fn key and press the F6 key. | |
Press and hold the Fn key and press the F5 key. | |
Press and hold the Fn key and press the Right Arrow key.
Note: This is the right arrow key, which is located in the lower right corner.
|
If the key combinations do not switch through the options, ensure that the computer has the latest System Setup (BIOS) and is configured correctly.
Select your computer model from the Table of Contents and follow the instructions for updating the BIOS and changing the settings on the keyboard backlight. Your backlit keyboard may have options other than off (disabled), dim, or bright.
Over time, many models of Dell computers have had different BIOS interfaces and different options depending on the hardware in the computer. Once in the BIOS, you must configure your BIOS interface to match the instructions below.
Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Dell BIOS Updates.
With the computer powered off, press the power button.
Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).
Click the + sign next to System Configuration.
Click Keyboard Illumination.
Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.
On the newer versions of the BIOS, the options may be:
On an older version of the BIOS, the options may be:
Click the + sign next to Video in the System Configuration menu.
Click Ambient Light Sensor.
Select Enable.
Ensure that the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Dell BIOS Updates.
With the computer powered off, press the power button.
Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).
Click the + sign next to System Configuration.
Click Keyboard Illumination.
Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.
On the newer versions of the BIOS, the options may be:
On an older version of the BIOS, the options may be:
Click the + sign next to Video in the System Configuration menu.
Click Ambient Light Sensor.
Select Enable.
Ensure that the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Dell BIOS Updates.
With the computer powered off, press the power button.
Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).
Click the + sign next to System Configuration.
Click Keyboard Illumination.
The options are:
Ensure that the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Dell BIOS Updates.
With the computer powered off, press the power button.
Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).
Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.
On the newer versions of the BIOS:
Click the + sign next to System Configuration.
Click Keyboard Illumination.
On older versions of the BIOS:
Look on the Main BIOS screen for Keyboard Type - backlight.
Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Dell BIOS Updates.
With the computer powered off, press the power button.
Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.
On some versions of the BIOS:
Click the + sign next to System Configuration.
Click Keyboard Illumination.
On other versions of the BIOS:
Look on the Main BIOS screen for Keyboard Type - backlight.
Ensure that the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Dell BIOS Updates.
With the computer powered off, press the power button.
Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.
On some versions of the BIOS:
Click the + sign next to System Configuration.
Click Keyboard Illumination.
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