How to Set Your Backlit Keyboard to Always On

Backlit keyboards are something you never truly appreciate unless you have to work without one. If you’re working in a well-lit area, you won’t notice it much. In the dark, however, or in poor lighting, a backlit keyboard lets you type comfortably. Depending on your model of keyboard and system, there will be different ways to address this problem. Everything from a simple touch of a function button to delving into your BIOS. That said, not all keyboards have the capability to stay illuminated, so keep that in mind and explore your specific system.

What is a Backlit Keyboard?

A backlit keyboard is a type of keyboard that features a lighting system underneath the keys, providing illumination for the keys and surrounding areas. This lighting system can be made up of a variety of components, including:

• LED lights: These are the most common type of lighting used in backlit keyboards. LED lights are energy-efficient, durable, and can be programmed to display a range of colors and effects.
• Electroluminescent (EL) panels: These are thin, flexible panels that emit a uniform glow when an electric current is applied. EL panels are often used in higher-end keyboards and can provide a more even and consistent lighting effect.
• Fiber-optic cables: These are used in some high-end keyboards to create a unique and customizable lighting effect. Fiber-optic cables can be programmed to display a range of colors and patterns.

Benefits of Backlit Keyboards

Backlit keyboards offer a range of benefits for users, including:

• Improved visibility: Backlit keyboards make it easier to see the keys in low-light environments, reducing eye strain and improving typing accuracy.
• Enhanced aesthetics: Backlit keyboards can add a touch of style and sophistication to any computer setup, with a range of colors and effects to choose from.
• Increased productivity: By providing a clear and visible keyboard, backlit keyboards can help users work more efficiently and effectively, even in low-light environments.

Overall, backlit keyboards are a great option for anyone who spends a lot of time working or playing on their computer, especially in low-light environments. In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at the keyboard light buttons and how they work.

HP Backlit Keyboard

The backlit keyboard on an HP laptop works in three states:

1.  Off
2.  Time-out 
3.  Always on

You can toggle the state via the keyboard light button pictured below:

When you tap it, it toggles through its three states. 

On some HP laptops, you can go to the BIOS and change this setting: 

1. Open your HP BIOS
2. Go to Advanced Settings
3. Go to Built-in Device Options
4. Press Enter
5. Select Backlit Keyboard Timeout
6. Adjust your timeout settings as desired. Keep in mind, that setting it to Never will drain battery power much faster

If your HP laptop doesn’t show Advanced Settings once you’ve opened BIOS, try pressing F10 to access the Advanced Tab. If that still doesn’t work, you may be out of luck. Often, HP will lock the advanced settings on your computer to prevent accidental misuse and consequent damage to your system. 

Dell Backlit Keyboard 

Out of the box, a Dell laptop doesn’t let you set your backlit keyboard to always be on. Dell has a dedicated driver that you can install to control the keyboard. It’s called the Dell Feature Enhancement Pack Application. 

You don’t need to install all of the components in this driver. Here’s what to do:

1. Select the Custom install option and install only the Keyboard and Devices component
2. Once installed, open the Control Panel
3. Go to Hardware and Sound. 
4. Click on ‘Dell Keyboard Backlight Settings‘
5. In the window that opens, go to the Backlight tab.
6. Here you can change the timeout duration, or set it to always on by selecting the ‘Never‘ option. The brightness slider at the bottom is mostly only useful on laptops. 

Lenovo Backlit Keyboard

Lenovo is a well-known brand in the world of computing, and their backlit keyboards are no exception. Lenovo’s backlit keyboards offer a range of features and benefits that make them a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality typing experience.

Lenovo Backlit Keyboard Models

Lenovo offers a range of backlit keyboard models, including:

• ThinkPad keyboards: These keyboards are designed for business users and offer a range of features, including spill-resistant designs and advanced security features.
• IdeaPad keyboards: These keyboards are designed for consumer users and offer a range of features, including customizable backlighting and media controls.
• Yoga keyboards: These keyboards are designed for Lenovo’s Yoga line of laptops and offer a range of features, including 360-degree flexibility and advanced backlighting.

Customizing Lenovo Backlit Keyboard Settings

To customize the backlighting settings on a Lenovo backlit keyboard, follow these steps:

1. Press the Lenovo Settings key: This key is usually located on the top row of the keyboard and is marked with a picture of a gear or a settings icon.
2. Select the Backlighting option: From the Lenovo Settings menu, select the Backlighting option to access the backlighting settings.
3. Choose your backlighting mode: Lenovo backlit keyboards offer a range of backlighting modes, including:
   • Always On: This mode keeps the backlighting on at all times.
   • Auto: This mode adjusts the backlighting based on the ambient light in the room.
   • Off: This mode turns off the backlighting completely.
4. Adjust the backlighting brightness: Use the keyboard’s brightness controls to adjust the level of backlighting to your liking.

Lenovo Backlit Keyboard Shortcuts

Lenovo backlit keyboards also offer a range of shortcuts that make it easy to control the backlighting and other features. Some common shortcuts include:

• Fn + Space: This shortcut toggles the backlighting on and off.
• Fn + F5: This shortcut adjusts the backlighting brightness.
• Fn + F6: This shortcut adjusts the keyboard’s macro settings.

Overall, Lenovo’s backlit keyboards offer a range of features and benefits that make them a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality typing experience. With their customizable backlighting settings and range of shortcuts, Lenovo backlit keyboards are a great option for anyone who wants to take their typing to the next level.

Asus Backlit Keyboard

To customize the backlighting settings on an Asus backlit keyboard, follow these steps:

1. Download and install the Asus Keyboard Software: This software allows you to customize the backlighting settings, macro keys, and other features of your Asus keyboard.
2. Launch the Asus Keyboard Software: Once installed, launch the software and select the “Backlighting” tab.
3. Choose your backlighting mode: Asus backlit keyboards offer a range of backlighting modes, including:
   • Static: This mode keeps the backlighting on at all times.
   • Breathing: This mode creates a pulsing effect with the backlighting.
   • Wave: This mode creates a wave effect with the backlighting.
   • Custom: This mode allows you to create your own custom backlighting effect.
4. Adjust the backlighting brightness: Use the software to adjust the level of backlighting to your liking.

Asus Backlit Keyboard Shortcuts

Asus backlit keyboards also offer a range of shortcuts that make it easy to control the backlighting and other features. Some common shortcuts include:

• Fn + F5: This shortcut toggles the backlighting on and off.
• Fn + F6: This shortcut adjusts the backlighting brightness.
• Fn + F7: This shortcut switches between different backlighting modes.
• Fn + F8: This shortcut launches the Asus Keyboard Software.

Asus Backlit Keyboard Features

Asus backlit keyboards offer a range of features that make them a great choice for gamers and typists, including:

• Customizable backlighting: Asus backlit keyboards offer a range of backlighting modes and effects, including customizable colors and patterns.
• Macro keys: Asus backlit keyboards often include macro keys that allow you to assign complex commands to a single key.
• Advanced switch technology: Asus backlit keyboards use advanced switch technology, such as Cherry MX switches, to provide a smooth and responsive typing experience.
• Durable construction: Asus backlit keyboards are built to last, with durable materials and a robust design that can withstand heavy use.

Overall, Asus backlit keyboards offer a range of features and benefits that make them a great choice for anyone who wants a high-quality keyboard. With their customizable backlighting settings, advanced switch technology, and durable construction, Asus backlit keyboards are a great option for gamers, typists, and anyone who wants a premium keyboard experience.

Conclusion

Many backlit keyboards only light up when you’re using them. It’s a power saving feature, albeit a frustrating one. Also, even if you have a workaround to keep your keyboard backlit, it may only work if you’re in battery mode, or it may not be a feature your computer supports at all. If you do have a backlit keyboard and nothing else has worked, you can try an old-school, rudimentary fix. Put something small and weighted on the illuminating key so that it’s constantly held down. Crude, yes, but it’s a tactic many have used. Just remember, the more you use your keyboard lights, the quicker your battery depletes. 

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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