Look for a keyboard icon with light rays on your F5 to F10 keys, then press Fn plus that key. If your keys light up, you have a backlit keyboard. If nothing happens, try testing in a dark room first. The soft glow is hard to see in bright light. Many people think their backlight is broken when it's actually working fine, just too dim to notice in a lit room.

If you've already tried the key combo and nothing happened, don't worry. The most common reasons are missing drivers after Windows updates, using the wrong key combo, or timeout settings that turn off the light after a few seconds of not typing.

1. Check Your Laptop Specs Online

The fastest way to get a clear answer is to check your laptop's official specs. Manufacturers always list backlit keyboards as a feature when the laptop has one.

  • Find Your Model Number: Check the bottom of your laptop or search "system information" in Windows to get your exact model.
  • Search the Manufacturer Website: Go to Dell, HP, Lenovo, or your laptop brand's website and search for your model's product page.
  • Look for "Backlit Keyboard" in Features: Scroll through the specs or features list. It's usually listed clearly.
  • Check Original Packaging: If you still have the box, backlit keyboards are often mentioned on the specs sticker.

2. Look for Backlight Icons on Function Keys

The quickest way to check is to look at your F1 through F12 keys for a keyboard backlight symbol. This usually looks like a keyboard with light rays, a sun symbol, or a lightbulb icon.

  • Common Locations: Most brands put the backlight control on F5, F6, F9, or F10 keys.
  • Try the Key Combo: Press and hold Fn plus the key with the backlight icon. If your keyboard lights up, you have backlighting.
  • Multiple Presses: Keep pressing the combo to cycle through brightness levels (dim, medium, bright, off).
  • No Icon Found? Some laptops use Fn plus Space bar or have backlight controls in other places.

Common keys by brand: Dell often uses F10, HP uses F5, Lenovo uses Fn plus Space, and ASUS typically uses F3 or F4.

Common Keyboard Backlight Icons Dell (F10) Keyboard + rays HP (F5) Sun + keyboard Lenovo (Fn+Space) Light dots + keyboard ASUS (F3/F4) Keyboard + arrows Acer (F9) Light bulb MSI (F7/F8) RGB keyboard Icons may vary slightly by model. Look for similar symbols on your F-keys.
Visual guide to common keyboard backlight symbols across different laptop brands

3. Check Windows and macOS Settings

If keyboard shortcuts don't work, your laptop might have backlight controls in the system settings. These are usually found in mobility or keyboard settings.

Windows Methods

  • Windows Mobility Center: Press Windows key plus X, select "Mobility Center," and look for keyboard backlight controls.
  • Settings App: Go to Settings, then System, then Display. Some laptops have lighting controls here.
  • Control Panel: Search "keyboard" in Control Panel for extra lighting options.

macOS Methods

  • System Preferences: Click the Apple menu, then System Preferences, then Keyboard. Look for a brightness slider.
  • Touch Bar Controls: MacBooks with Touch Bar have brightness controls built in.
  • Automatic Adjustment: Turn on "Adjust keyboard brightness in low light" in Keyboard settings.

4. Test in a Dark Room

One of the best tests is simply using your laptop in a dark space. Many laptops automatically turn on the keyboard backlight when the room is dark.

  • Turn Off Room Lights: Dim the lights all the way or work in a dark room.
  • Wait a Few Seconds: Some laptops have light sensors that automatically turn on the backlight.
  • Type or Move the Mouse: Activity often triggers the backlight to turn on.
  • Look for Any Glow: Even faint lighting around the keys means you have backlight capability.

5. Check BIOS Settings

Some laptops have keyboard backlighting turned off in BIOS by default. This is more common on business laptops where saving power is a priority.

  • Access BIOS: Restart your laptop and press F2, F12, Del, or Esc during startup (the key varies by brand).
  • Find Keyboard Settings: Look for "Advanced," "System Configuration," or "Keyboard" sections.
  • Enable Backlight: Look for options like "Keyboard Illumination" or "Backlight" and set it to "Enabled."
  • Save and Exit: Press F10 to save changes and restart.

Caution: Only change settings you understand in BIOS. Wrong settings can cause startup problems.

6. Check Manufacturer Control Software

Most laptop brands include their own software for controlling hardware features, including keyboard backlighting. These programs often give you more options than basic system settings.

  • Dell: Dell Power Manager or Dell QuickSet has keyboard lighting controls.
  • HP: HP Command Center or HP System Event Utility has display and keyboard sections.
  • Lenovo: Lenovo Vantage has hardware settings with keyboard backlight options.
  • ASUS: Armoury Crate or ASUS Keyboard Hotkeys has advanced lighting controls.
  • Acer: Acer Care Center has system settings that may include backlight controls.
  • MSI: MSI Center or SteelSeries Engine has RGB controls for gaming laptops.

Where to find this software: Check your Start menu for brand specific software, or download the latest version from your manufacturer's support website.

7. Look at Your Keyboard Keys

As a final check, look at your keyboard closely for visual clues. Backlit keyboards have specific design features you can spot.

  • Translucent Key Letters: Look closely at the letters and symbols. Backlit keyboards have see through characters that let light shine through.
  • Light Gaps Around Keys: Check for small gaps around key edges where light could come through.
  • Key Material: Backlit keys often look slightly see through compared to solid, painted keys.

Backlight Not Working? Quick Fixes

If you know your laptop has a backlit keyboard but it's not lighting up, try these common fixes:

  • Test in complete darkness: The glow is hard to see in bright rooms. Turn off all lights and try again.
  • Type something: Many laptops turn off the backlight after 10 to 30 seconds of not typing. Press a key to wake it up.
  • Try all F keys: Press Fn plus each key from F1 to F12 to find the right combo.
  • Update your drivers: After Windows updates, you may need to reinstall hotkey drivers from your laptop maker's website.
  • Check power settings: Some laptops turn off backlighting when running on battery to save power.

What If Your Laptop Doesn't Have Backlighting?

If none of the methods above show that you have keyboard backlighting, your laptop probably doesn't have this feature. Here are some good alternatives:

  • External Backlit Keyboard: USB or wireless keyboards with backlighting work great with any laptop.
  • USB LED Light: Small USB powered lights can shine on your keyboard area.
  • Desk Lamp: An adjustable desk light gives good keyboard visibility.
  • Glow in the Dark Stickers: Key stickers that glow are a cheap temporary fix.