Struggling to type in a dimly lit room or on a late-night flight? A backlit keyboard can be a true lifesaver, illuminating the keys so you can work comfortably in any lighting. But if you’ve never used the feature or have a new-to-you laptop, you might be wondering if your device even has this handy capability.
Don’t worry, figuring it out is usually quite simple. There are a few quick checks you can perform to see if your laptop is equipped with a keyboard light and how to turn it on.
Look for the Universal Backlit Keyboard Symbol
The quickest way to check is to look at your keyboard itself. Most manufacturers use a standard symbol to indicate the backlight key. Glance at your function keys (F1 through F12) and the arrow keys. You are looking for a key that has a small icon on it that looks like a keyboard with light rays emanating from it. It often resembles three small squares or a keyboard with lines above it. This key is almost always used in combination with the “Fn” (Function) key to toggle the light on and off.
Check Your Laptop’s Original Specifications
If the visual check isn’t clear, your laptop’s original product specifications will give you a definitive answer. You can find this information by searching online for your laptop’s exact model number. This is usually located on a sticker on the bottom of the device. Typing this model number into a search engine along with “specifications” or “features” will lead you to the manufacturer’s official product page, where it will clearly list whether a backlit keyboard is included.
A Simple Test with the Function Key
Sometimes, the easiest way is to just try it. Locate the “Fn” key on the bottom row of your keyboard. Now, look for that backlight symbol we mentioned earlier on one of the F-keys or the arrow keys. Hold down the “Fn” key and press the key with the backlight symbol. Try this a couple of times, as some laptops have multiple brightness levels or different colors you can cycle through.
Consult Your Power Settings
If you’ve confirmed you have a backlit keyboard but it’s not turning on, it might be a setting. Some laptops are programmed to disable the keyboard light to conserve battery power. Check your power plan settings in the system tray or within the Control Panel. There is often an option specifically for the keyboard backlight that allows you to adjust its behavior or set a timeout.
With these simple steps, you should be able to determine if your laptop has a backlit keyboard and get it glowing in no time. It’s a small feature that makes a big difference in your daily computing comfort.
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