How to Turn Keyboard Lighting On and Off on HP Laptops
Keyboard backlighting is a game-changer for night owls and low-light users. If you’ve recently acquired an HP laptop with this feature, you might be wondering how to control it. This guide will walk you through how to turn on keyboard light, adjust brightness, and troubleshoot common issues for various HP laptop models.
How to Turn On Keyboard Light on HP Laptop
Most HP laptops use a simple key combination to control the backlight. Here’s how to turn on lights on an HP keyboard:
- Locate the backlight key, usually F5, F9, or F11, marked with a keyboard illumination icon.
- Press the Fn (Function) key along with the backlight key. On some models, the right arrow key may control the backlight.
- You may need to press the combination multiple times to cycle through brightness levels.
For HP OMEN laptops, you can also use the OMEN Command Center to control lighting.
How to Turn Off Keyboard Light
To turn off the keyboard light:
- Use the same Fn + backlight key combination.
- Keep pressing until the light turns off completely.
Adjusting Keyboard Backlight Brightness
Many HP laptops allow you to adjust keyboard brightness:
- Press the Fn + backlight key combination repeatedly.
- Each press should cycle through off, dim, medium, and bright settings.
HP Laptop Models with Backlit Keyboards
Several HP laptop lines feature backlit keyboards:
- HP ENVY
- HP Pavilion
- HP OMEN
- HP Spectre
- Select HP EliteBook and ProBook models
Troubleshooting HP Keyboard Lighting Issues
If your keyboard light isn’t working:
- Ensure your laptop model has a backlit keyboard.
- Check if the backlight is turned on in BIOS settings.
- Update or reinstall keyboard drivers.
- Look for a physical switch on some models (rare, but exists on a few).
HP OMEN Keyboard Light Customization
HP OMEN laptops offer advanced lighting options:
- Open OMEN Command Center.
- Go to the “Lighting” section.
- Choose between static colors or dynamic lighting effects.
- Apply your preferred settings.
Keyboard Backlight Settings in Windows
Some HP laptops allow you to control the keyboard light through Windows:
- Open Windows Settings.
- Navigate to Devices > Typing.
- Look for “Keyboard backlight” settings if available.
- Enable the ‘automatically adjust backlighting’ feature to enhance visibility in low light conditions.
- Set the keyboard backlight to automatically turn off after a period of inactivity by adjusting the timing in System Settings.
Everyday users with basic backlight needs
14" 3K display
Standard white backlight
AMD Ryzen™ 7 processor
16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
HP Pavilion Plus 14
MSRP
$999.99
Creative professionals needing more control
16.1" QHD display
4-zone RGB backlight
Intel® Core™ i7-14700HX
RTX™ 4060 graphics
OMEN Gaming Laptop 16
MSRP
$1,599.99
How to Make Your Keyboard Light Up (For Non-Backlit Keyboards)
If your HP laptop doesn’t have built-in backlighting:
- Consider using a USB-powered external keyboard with backlighting.
- Use stick-on LED lights designed for keyboards.
- Invest in an adjustable desk lamp for better visibility.
Benefits of Keyboard Backlighting
- Improved visibility in low-light conditions
- Reduced eye strain during night-time use
- Enhanced aesthetic appeal
- Easier to locate specific keys quickly
Conclusion
Mastering your HP laptop’s keyboard lighting can significantly enhance your computing experience, especially in low-light environments. Whether you’re using an HP ENVY, Pavilion, OMEN, or another model, these computer maintenance tips should help you control your keyboard’s illumination with ease.
Remember, if you’re in the market for a new laptop, many HP models now come with backlit keyboards as a standard feature. Check out our latest HP laptops with backlit keyboards to find the perfect match for your needs.
