Backlit Keyboard Stopped working in my Dell XPS 13 Ultra

Dinman127263

When you start the notebook and before Windows loads does the keyboard light up?  You can also check in safemode, start the system while tapping F8 and choose safemode.  Log on to Windows, at any time in this process is the backlit on?  If not then there is likely a problem.  

If you aren't able to get the backlit on anymore no matter what you try please shoot me a private message.  On the Private message please include your name, address, phone number and the service tag of the notebook.  I will be happy to research possible service options.  If I can't help personally, I can certainly get you in contact with someone that can.

TB

It seems to have been fixed, but there is still a mystery how exactly this works. Although restarting the laptop never fixed it, putting it to sleep and waking it up did. Since then its been working but I've noticed a couple of times it wouldn't come on automatically and I've had to use the FN key to turn it on.

One other thing that I can think of is Windows Mobility.  You can bring it up by pressing the Windows key with X.  From there you can configure the back light,  on when it turns on, how long it stays on and so forth.  If you aren't familiar with it and have not taken a look at it,  I certainly suggest to do so.  I would also like for you to reply back if you are familiar with Windows Mobility and it hasn't helped.

TB

Hi, I've had the same problem as Dinman127263 and I've looked in the windows mobility screen, there stood that the backlit was on but the lights were off. after that i putted the device to sleep mode and waking it up worked as well for me.. strange...

Hi,

Same thing here, tried to reboot or modify the backlit option from the windows mobility screen both not working, but coming back from sleep did it... 

strange!

I have the same issue with XPS 16 (1760 i think) - all reports well in mobilty centre - fn key does the trick but only to the mouse buttons and on the little icon/popup that appears on screen - caps lock light seems ok - just none of my alpha/numeric keys have backlit function

Terry,  I am an XPS 13 owner with the same issue. I went to Windows mobility to see if the setting was turned on there, but it was not even on the menu to alter. Should it be? I have installed the latest Quickset but I don't know exactly how it works now that I have it.

Grant33,

Try...

Ambient Sensor/Backlit Keyboard Control

or

Ambient Light Sensor Settings

Rick

A couple areas of confusion. First of all, my issue is with the keyboard backlight function. On the video's screenshot it shows a keyboard backlight option under the Customized by Dell section of Mobility Center. My mobility center does not include that option. When I followed the instructions on the video with the ALS, it does not automatically disable like the guy in the video said it would when I manually turn up the screen brightness.

Yes, but what I'm saying is I have downloaded Quickset and the option is still not there.

Grant33,

The backlit keyboard should show in the Windows Mobility Center. If it doesn't they try downloading Dell QuickSet, under applications, at Drivers & Downloads

Rick

if this helps you help me, it may be worth noting that when I double click Backlit KB in the program files of Quickset, it says "backlit keyboard not detected''

Grant33,

Go to Dell Warranty Status enter your service tag number, click on original configuration. Make sure you have the backlit keyboard on your system.

Try pressing the F6 or hold the Fn button and press the right arrow.

Rick

Just to join the chorus here. I have an XPS 13 Ultra (love it). But suddenly the keyboard backlight didn't come on. Pressed Function F6 a bunch of times, restarted a bunch of times, poked around the lighting settings, power settings etc. Nothing. Then read the news here - put it to sleep, woke it up and Presto! I have a Backlit keyboard again. Very strange. I'm  a pretty early adopter, got the first of these when they became available, so maybe this is something that got fixed later. But if not, its certainly something that should be on the Dell radar. Its a pretty annoying feature to use for those of us typing in the dark.

Hello Dell and Everyone else...

I'm on and XPS L501x i5 M460 and am having the same problem... only it appears to be getting worse.

Last night while plugged in my screen and back lit keyboard went blank but the Power and WiFi lights were still on.

I didn't think much of it, then simply long pressed the power button to cycle the machine. However it wouldn't come back up then. Every time I pressed the power button it flashed quickly once and nothing happened. I got frustrated and let it sit overnight. This morning it came back up no problem, but I couldn't log in to Windows as it kept saying my password was wrong. I then noticed that even slowly finger-pecking each character a few doubled up on the login screen. This then reminded me that a day ago whenever I was trying to insert an 777^7&& .... ok, apperently still happening~ Yeah, so now it seems and ctrl and most number keys aren't working... I guess I'll just leave that there so you can see how much of a 

it is

Anyway, the backlight did come back on after a sleep cycle. But then I ran diagnostics which found nothing and shut down again, same problem. Blink of the power light then nothing. Waited and it came back up sans backlighting. 

I'm pretty sure my warranty is up. So if it's the mobo I'm screwed... Would it be worth taking apart to have a look and maybe see if anything got in there? Liquids maybe? This compy has been through a lot being owned by me through gradschool.

Also, please don't send me generic answers. I've taken apart more laptops than I can count and went through dell pc cert tech training a few years back.

Just want my XPS to work .... and to type and exclamation point after that last bit^^^^^ is all I can do^