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HP Customer Support - Knowledge Base

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Need Windows 11 help?
Check documents and videos on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes. Windows 11 Support Center

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HP Notebook PCs - Using the Backlit Keyboard

This document is for HP notebook computers with backlit keyboards.

Use the backlight on the keyboard in low-light environments.

note:
Not all HP notebooks have a backlit keyboard. To confirm whether your notebook has a backlit keyboard, go to the HP Customer Support page. Search for your notebook model plus the word specifications. Review the product specifications for your notebook model. To find your notebook model, go to How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number for more information.

If you have a gaming notebook such as an HP OMEN, go to HP OMEN Command Center for more information about the backlit keyboard and other features.

Turn on or off the backlight

If your notebook computer has a backlit keyboard, press the F5 or F4 (some models) key on the keyboard to turn the light on or off. It might be necessary to press the fn (function) key at the same time.

If the backlight icon

is not on the F5 key, look for the backlit keyboard key on the row of function keys.

Backlit keyboard key and fn keys highlighted

I cannot find the backlight key

Check the entire row of function keys. The backlight key might be in a different place or on a different key such as the F5, F4 or F11 key.

If there is no backlight key on the notebook, confirm that your notebook has a backlit keyboard. Go to the HP Customer Support page. Search for your notebook model plus the word specifications. Review the product specifications for your notebook model. Some models do not ship with a backlit keyboard.

Nothing happens when I press the backlight key

In Windows, press the fn (function) key and the backlight key. If nothing happens, check the BIOS settings.

In the BIOS, select BIOS Setup or BIOS Setup Utility, and then use the arrow keys to navigate to the System Configuration tab. Make sure to enable Action Keys Mode, if it is not enabled already.

note:
Your BIOS version and screens might vary.

The backlight stays on for only a few seconds

If the blacklight stays on for only a few seconds, the backlight timeout setting might need configuring in the BIOS.

note:
If there is not a setting for the backlight timing in the BIOS, this behavior might not be supported on the notebook. Check your notebook model's product support documentation to confirm support.

Your BIOS version and screens might vary.

Restart the notebook, and then immediately press the F10 repeatedly until the BIOS opens.
When the BIOS opens, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Advanced tab.
Navigate to Built-in Device Options, and then press Enter.
In the Built-in Device Options, select Backlit keyboard timeout.
Press the spacebar to open the keyboard backlight settings, and then select the timeout setting you want.

note:
If you select Never, the backlight remains on which could quickly drain the notebook battery power.

The backlight turns off after being turned on

Depending on the timeout setting, the backlight turns off after a period of inactivity. To turn on the backlight again, press any key on the keyboard or tap the touchpad, depending on your models.

I want to adjust the brightness of the backlight

To adjust the brightness of the backlight, press the key with the backlight icon

two or three times in a row. The keyboard backlight dims and brightens. It might be necessary to press the fn (function) key at the same time to activate the backlight key.

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