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Article Number: 000132120

How to Turn Off or On and Troubleshoot the Backlit Keyboard on Your Dell Laptop

Summary: For help with your backlit keyboard not working, how to configure it or how to turn it on or off, refer to the section that matches the brand of Dell laptop you have.

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content

Symptoms

Depending on the model of your Dell computer and the features that are installed, it may or may not have a backlit keyboard.

The easiest way to determine whether your computer is equipped with a backlit keyboard is to look at the F10, F6, or right arrow key (located in the lower right-hand corner). If none of these keys have the illumination icon printed on it, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.

Refer to Table 1 to see what the icon looks like and what key combinations to use for toggling the brightness options on your keyboard.

Table 1: Backlit Keyboard Key Combination
Possible Backlit Keyboard Key Combinations
Press the F10 key.
Note: When nothing happens while pressing the F10 key,
press and hold the Fn key and press the Esc key, and try again.
Press and hold the Fn key and press the F6 key.
Press and hold the Fn key and press the F5 key.
Press and hold the Fn key and press the Right Arrow key.
Note: This is the right arrow key, which is located in the lower right-hand corner.

If the key combinations do not toggle through the options, make sure the computer has the latest System Setup (BIOS) and is configured correctly.

Select your computer model from the Table of Contents and follow the instructions for updating the BIOS and changing the settings on the keyboard back light. Your backlit keyboard may have options other than off (disabled), dim, or bright.

Over time, many models of Dell computers have had different BIOS interfaces and different options depending on the hardware in the computer. Once in the BIOS, you must configure your BIOS interface to match the instructions below.

Note: Different systems models would have different key combinations. If your model is not covered, refer to the documentation of your Dell computer.

Table of Contents:

  1. Latitude Computers
  2. Precision Computers
  3. Vostro Computers
  4. XPS Computers
  5. Inspiron Computers
  6. G Series Computers

Cause

Cause information is not available.

Resolution

1. Latitude Computers

  1. Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.

  2. Make sure the Keyboard backlit option is enabled in the BIOS.

    1. With the computer powered off, press the power button.

    2. Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).

    3. Click the + sign next to System Configuration.

    4. Click Keyboard Illumination.

      Note: If Keyboard Illumination is not an option, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.

      Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.

      On the newer versions of the BIOS, the options may be:

      • Disabled or Off - The keyboard illumination is off.
      • Dim - The keyboard illumination is at half brightness.
      • Bright - The keyboard illumination is at full brightness.
        Note: There may be another option listed under Keyboard Illumination in the System Configuration menu, Keyboard Backlight with AC. When enabled, you can use the brightness level keys on the keyboard to set the brightness level.

      On an older version of the BIOS, the options may be:

      • Disabled or Off - The keyboard illumination is off.
      • Auto ALS and Input - The keyboard automatically illuminates in dim lighting conditions when the internal keyboard, touchpad, or pointstick is used. When using this setting, the Ambient Light Sensor has to be set to Enable in the BIOS.
        To set the Ambient Light Sensor to Enable, perform the following steps:

        1. Click the + sign next to Video in the System Configuration menu.

        2. Click Ambient Light Sensor.

        3. Select Enable.

      • Auto Input Only - The keyboard illuminates when the internal keyboard, touchpad, or pointstick is used.
    5. Click Apply, and then Exit.

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2. Precision Computers

  1. Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.

  2. Make sure the Keyboard backlit option is enabled in the BIOS.

    1. With the computer powered off, press the power button.

    2. Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).

    3. Click the + sign next to System Configuration.

    4. Click Keyboard Illumination.

      Note: If Keyboard Illumination is not an option, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.

      Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.

      On the newer versions of the BIOS, the options may be:

      • Disabled or Off - The keyboard illumination is off.
      • Dim - The keyboard illumination is at half brightness.
      • Bright - The keyboard illumination is at full brightness.
        Note: Other options listed under Keyboard Illumination in the System Configuration menu may include:
        • Keyboard Backlight Timeout on AC - Allows you to set how long the backlight stays on while on AC power.
        • Keyboard Backlight Timeout on Battery - Allows you to set how long the backlight stays on while on battery power.
        • Keyboard Backlight with AC - When enabled, you can use the brightness level keys on the keyboard to set the brightness level.

      On an older version of the BIOS, the options may be:

      • Disabled or Off - The keyboard illumination is off.
      • Auto ALS and Input - The keyboard automatically illuminates in dim lighting conditions when the internal keyboard, touchpad, or pointstick are used. When using this setting, the Ambient Light Sensor has to be set to Enable in the BIOS.
        To set the Ambient Light Sensor to Enable, perform the following steps:

        1. Click the + sign next to Video in the System Configuration menu.

        2. Click Ambient Light Sensor.

        3. Select Enable.

      • Auto Input Only - The keyboard illuminates when the internal keyboard, touchpad, or pointstick is used.
    5. Click Apply, and then Exit.

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3. Vostro Computers

  1. Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.

  2. Make sure the Keyboard backlit option is enabled in the BIOS.

    1. With the computer powered off, press the power button.

    2. Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).

    3. Click the + sign next to System Configuration.

    4. Click Keyboard Illumination.

      Note: If Keyboard Illumination is not an option, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.

      The options are:

      • Disabled or Off - The keyboard illumination is off.
      • Dim - The keyboard illumination is at half brightness.
      • Bright - The keyboard illumination is at full brightness.
        Note: There may be another option listed under Keyboard Illumination in the System Configuration menu: Keyboard Backlight with AC. When enabled, you can use the brightness level keys on the keyboard to set the brightness level.
    5. Click Apply, and then Exit.

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4. XPS Computers

  1. Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.

  2. Make sure the Keyboard backlit option is enabled in the BIOS.

    1. With the computer powered off, press the power button.

    2. Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).

      Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.

      On the newer versions of the BIOS:

      1. Click the + sign next to System Configuration.

      2. Click Keyboard Illumination.

        Note: If Keyboard Illumination is not an option, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.
        • Disabled or Off - The keyboard illumination is off.
        • Dim - The keyboard illumination is at half brightness.
        • Bright - The keyboard illumination is at full brightness.
          Note: There may be another option listed under Keyboard Illumination in the System Configuration menu, Keyboard Backlight with AC. When enabled, you can use the brightness level keys on the keyboard to set the brightness level.
      3. Click Apply, and then Exit.

      On older versions of the BIOS:

      1. Look on the Main BIOS screen for Keyboard Type - backlight.

        NOTES:
        • When Keyboard Type - backlight is not shown, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.
        • In this version of the BIOS, when Keyboard Type - backlight is shown, the backlit keyboard is automatically enabled and there are no configuration options.
      2. Press the Esc key to exit the BIOS.

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5. Inspiron Computers

  1. Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.

  2. Make sure the Keyboard backlit option is enabled in the BIOS.

    1. With the computer powered off, press the power button.

    2. Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).

      Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.

      On some versions of the BIOS:

      1. Click the + sign next to System Configuration.

      2. Click Keyboard Illumination.

        Note: If Keyboard Illumination is not an option, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.
        • Disabled or Off - The keyboard illumination is off.
        • Dim - The keyboard illumination is at half brightness.
        • Bright - The keyboard illumination is at full brightness.
          Note: There may be another option listed under Keyboard Illumination in the System Configuration menu: Keyboard Backlight with AC. When enabled, you can use the brightness level keys on the keyboard to set the brightness level.
      4. Click Apply, and then Exit.

      On other versions of the BIOS:

      1. Look on the Main BIOS screen for Keyboard Type - backlight.

        NOTES:
        • When Keyboard Type - backlight is not shown, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.
        • In this version of the BIOS, when Keyboard Type - backlight is shown, the backlit keyboard is automatically enabled and there are no configuration options.
      2. Press the Esc key to exit the BIOS.

Back to top

6. G Series Computers

  1. Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.

  2. Make sure the Keyboard backlit option is enabled in the BIOS.

    1. With the computer powered off, press the power button.

    2. Immediately start pressing the F2 key once per second (if the computer boots into Windows, shut down the computer and try again).

      Depending on the version of the BIOS on your computer, you may have different options.

      On some versions of the BIOS:

      1. Click the + sign next to System Configuration.

      2. Click Keyboard Illumination.

        Note: If Keyboard Illumination is not an option, your computer does not have a backlit keyboard.
        • Disabled or Off - The keyboard illumination is off.
        • Dim - The keyboard illumination is at half brightness.
        • Bright - The keyboard illumination is at full brightness.
          Note: There may be another option listed under Keyboard Illumination in the System Configuration menu: Keyboard Backlight with AC. When enabled, you can use the brightness level keys on the keyboard to set the brightness level.
      4. Click Apply, and then Exit.

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Additional Information

How to Fix Keyboard Not Lighting Up

Duration: 02:55
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the Settings or CC icon on this video player.

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Article Properties

Affected Product

Chromebook, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Retired Models, Mobile Workstations

Last Published Date

21 Apr 2023

Version

14

Article Type

Solution

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