3 Easy Steps to Turn On Backlit Keyboard on Lenovo Laptops

Lenovo laptop with backlit keyboard
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Are you tired of fumbling around in the dark, trying to type on your Lenovo laptop? If so, you’re not alone. Many Lenovo laptops come with backlit keyboards, but they’re not always easy to turn on. In this article, we’ll show you how to turn on the backlit keyboard on your Lenovo laptop so you can type in the dark with ease.

Before you can turn on the backlit keyboard on your Lenovo laptop, you need to make sure that it’s actually equipped with one. Not all Lenovo laptops have backlit keyboards, so it’s important to check before you proceed. To do this, simply look at the keyboard and see if there are any small, evenly spaced lines running along the top of the keys. If there are, then your laptop has a backlit keyboard.

Once you’ve confirmed that your laptop has a backlit keyboard, you can turn it on by pressing the Fn key and the spacebar at the same time. On some Lenovo laptops, you may need to press the Fn key and the F9 key instead. If neither of these combinations works, then you can try pressing the Fn key and the up arrow key. Once you’ve pressed the correct key combination, the backlit keyboard should turn on and you’ll be able to type in the dark with ease.

Enabling Backlight in BIOS

To enable the backlit keyboard from BIOS, follow these steps:

Restart your Lenovo computer.
Press the “F2” key repeatedly during the boot-up process to enter BIOS.
Navigate to the “Configuration” tab using the arrow keys.
Locate the “Keyboard Backlight” setting and change it to “Enabled” using the arrow keys.
Press “F10” to save your changes and exit BIOS.

Additional Tips:

If you don’t see the “Keyboard Backlight” setting in BIOS, your Lenovo model may not have a backlit keyboard.
The backlit keyboard may not work if your computer is running on low battery.
Some Lenovo models have a dedicated keyboard backlight key. If your model has this key, you can toggle the backlight on or off by pressing it.

Adjusting Backlit Keyboard Timeout

To customize the backlight timeout on a Lenovo backlit keyboard, follow these steps:

Press the Fn + Spacebar keys simultaneously to toggle the keyboard backlight on or off.
If there are multiple backlight levels, continue pressing the Fn + Spacebar keys to cycle through them until the desired brightness is achieved.
Press and hold the Fn key while pressing the arrow keys (left or right) to adjust the backlight timeout.
The following table provides the default timeout values for Lenovo backlit keyboards:

Timeout Value	Seconds
Low	15 seconds
Medium	30 seconds
High	60 seconds
Always On	Disabled

To disable the backlight timeout completely, press and hold the Fn key while pressing the Up arrow key.
To enable the backlight timeout, press and hold the Fn key while pressing the Down arrow key.
The updated timeout value will now be in effect for the backlit keyboard.

Checking Function Key Settings

The Fn key combined with another key is responsible for controlling the keyboard backlight on Lenovo laptops. Locate the Fn key, typically found in the bottom row next to the Ctrl key. Look for a key with a keyboard or lightbulb symbol on it. Press Fn + the corresponding key (usually F5 or F6) to toggle the backlight on or off.

Adjusting Brightness in Lenovo Software

Lenovo provides a utility called Lenovo Vantage or Lenovo Hotkeys that allows you to customize keyboard settings. Launch the software, navigate to the Keyboard or Input section, and look for the Keyboard Backlight option. You can adjust the brightness here if it’s available.

Updating BIOS

An outdated BIOS may cause keyboard backlight issues. Visit Lenovo’s support website, enter your laptop’s model, and check for any available BIOS updates. Download and install the update following the instructions provided.

Checking Keyboard Connections

Ensure that the keyboard is properly connected to the laptop. If using an external keyboard, check the cable or Bluetooth connection. For laptops with built-in keyboards, try reseating the keyboard by carefully removing and reconnecting it.

Troubleshooting Hardware Issues

If the backlight still doesn’t work, there may be a hardware issue. Contact Lenovo support or consult a qualified technician for further assistance.

Dealing with Backlight Flickering

Flickering backlight can be caused by various reasons. Here are some additional troubleshooting steps:

1. Checking for Updates

Install the latest Windows updates.
Update the Lenovo Vantage or Lenovo Hotkeys software.

2. Adjusting Power Settings

Go to Control Panel > Power Options and check the active power plan. If it’s set to a power-saving mode, try switching to a higher-performance mode.

3. Troubleshooting Battery Power

If the backlight flickers when using battery power, check the battery’s health and replace it if necessary.

4. Disabling Fast Startup

Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do and uncheck the box for Turn on fast startup.

5. Resetting BIOS settings

Enter the BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2 during boot) and look for an option to reset settings to default. If available, select it and save the changes.

6. Checking BIOS Update Date

If the BIOS version is significantly older than the release date of your laptop, it may be outdated and causing the backlight problem.

7. Enabling Keyboard Backlight in BIOS

In the BIOS settings, navigate to the Keyboard section (if available) and look for an option to enable the keyboard backlight.

8. Disabling Background Apps

Some background apps may interfere with the keyboard backlight. Try disabling any unnecessary apps running in the background.

9. Checking for Loose Connections

If the backlight issue occurs only in certain locations or when moving the hinge, it could indicate a loose connection between the keyboard and the motherboard. Consider contacting Lenovo support or a technician for further diagnosis and repair.

How To Turn On Backlit Keyboard Lenovo

Lenovo laptops often come with backlit keyboards that illuminate keys in low-light conditions for easier typing. Here’s how to turn on the backlit keyboard on a Lenovo laptop:

Locate the “Fn” key, typically found at the bottom left corner of the keyboard.
Press and hold the “Fn” key.
While holding down the “Fn” key, press the “Space” key to toggle the backlit keyboard on or off.
Release the “Fn” and “Space” keys.

Some Lenovo models have a dedicated backlit keyboard key. Consult the user manual or the keyboard itself for the specific key.