5 Ways to Disable the Keyboard Backlight on Windows 10

PDF download Download Article
Here are multiple ways to turn off your laptop’s keyboard backlight
PDF download Download Article

Backlit keyboards have become increasingly common in recent years, with most manufacturers building a keyboard light into their laptops. Of course, you may find the keyboard light to be a distraction. This wikiHow article will teach you how to turn off the keyboard light on a Windows 10 device. You can use your keyboard's software or BIOS to force your backlight to stay off permanently.

Instantly Disable Keyboard LED Lights

Use the Windows Mobility Center, press keyboard shortcuts, use your keyboard's software, press a physical button, or use BIOS to temporarily turn off or permanently disable your keyboard's backlight.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using Windows Mobility Center

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Search for the Windows Mobility Center by typing into the search bar on the left side of your taskbar. The Mobility Center allows you to access some of your laptop's more decorative features, including display brightness or battery display. [1]
    • Be sure to scan your laptop's keyboard for a key with a "keyboard light" icon, typically represented by a small square with rays of light shooting outwards from it.
    • You may be able to hold down the "Fn" key and this other key simultaneously to filter through your keyboard light's settings. If so, keep tapping the "keyboard light" icon until the light turns off. [2] Your light is now off and you do not need to rely on the Windows Mobility Center.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Mobility Center differs across devices, but it typically includes anywhere from 5-6 to boxes, each labeled with a different laptop feature. The "Keyboard" section will include an option to turn your keyboard light on or off.
    • Not every Windows laptop will offer a "Keyboard" section in the Windows Mobility Center. If the option is not available, try typing the name of your computer into the Windows taskbar's search field and using the manufacturer's device manager.
    • Some computers, particularly gaming laptops, do not allow their keyboard lights to be turned off entirely.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you want to turn your Windows 10 keyboard light off, simply choose the circle that says "Off" and click "Ok" to exit the Windows Mobility Center and save your settings.
    • There should also be a "Brightness" slider, which you can use to manually adjust the brightness of your keyboard light.
    • If you ever want to toggle the keyboard light back on, simply revisit the Windows Mobility Center and choose the circle that says "On" instead!
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using the Physical Button

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Some keyboards, like the Logitech G Pro desktop keyboard, have a physical button with an icon of a sun on it that you can press to control the LED backlights on your keys. [3]
    • This is common with gaming keyboards.
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using the Function Keys

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The sun icon designates the key that you can press to turn off the backlight effect. The exact keys to press vary depending on your keyboard's make and model. For example:
    • Dell's backlight key, which looks like half a sunburst, can be found on the F5 , F6 , F7 , F10 , or right arrow key. [4] Since the Funtion keys serve more than one purpose, you might need to press and hold the Fn key when you press the backlight key.
    • Acer's backlight toggle key is usually F9 . [5] Just pressing F9 may not work, so press and hold Fn at the same time to toggle the backlight key.
    • Lenovo users can press Fn + spacebar or Fn + Esc . [6] Since the Funtion keys serve more than one purpose, you might need to press and hold the Fn key when you press the backlight key.
    • HP laptops usually have the backlight key on F5 , F9 , or F11 . Press Fn at the same time to toggle the backlight. You may need to press these buttons multiple times if your keyboard has different lighting modes. [7]
    • If you can't find the illumination key, or the key with the sunburst or half a sunburst icon, you can look up the make and model of your keyboard online or look through your owner's manual.
    2. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using the Keyboard's Software

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    These are common with gaming or heavy-duty laptops or external keyboards, like HP Omen laptops or Logitech keyboards with the Logitech software.
    • If you aren't sure if your keyboard has specific software, you can search online to find out quickly! Some software isn't named for your model, so it might be confusing and more difficult to find.
    • For example, Razor laptops and peripherals use the Synapse app, but GIGABYTE laptops use the GIGABYTE Control Center; some MSI laptops use a SteelSeries GG software while some Logitech keyboards use the Logi Options+ software .
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using BIOS

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The specific keys that you need to press are different between each laptop or computer manufacturer (you can see more in this wikiHow article ), but you generally press the F1 , F2 , Del , F10 , F12 , or Esc as the logo for the manufacturer is displayed on-screen.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your mouse doesn't work, use your arrow keys to navigate and press Enter to select.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-the-Keyboard-Light-in-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Note that editing your keyboard here is permanent; the next time you turn on your computer or laptop, your keyboard's backlight will still be off. The only way to revert this change is to go back into BIOS and enable this setting. [8]
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Not all keyboards have backlighting available. Confirm online or with your user's manual if your device has backlighting.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Having keyboard backlighting on does drain battery, so turning it off helps your battery last longer.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Some newer computers and laptops have battery-saving measures in place that automatically turn off your backlighting after 30/60 seconds; you may not be able to disable this battery-saving feature.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      the Change the Keyboard Color on a PC: Shortcuts & More
      How to
      Fix a Keyboard That Has the Wrong Characters
      5 Ways to Use a Keyboard to Click & Move a Mouse on PC & Mac
      Mute Keyboard Sounds on Your Android, iPhone, iPad, or Laptop
      4 Ways to Do Squared on a Keyboard
      Connecting a Wireless or Bluetooth Keyboard to a Windows PC
      How to
      Reattach a Keyboard Key
      How to
      Take Keys Off a Mechanical Keyboard at Home
      How to
      Disable the Function Key
      How to
      Fix a Spacebar: Quick & Easy Guide for Windows & Mac
      5 Ways to Unstick a Keyboard Key on Computer or Laptop
      7 Effective Ways to Reset Your Keyboard
      How to
      Fix Sticky Keyboard Keys: PC, Mac, & Chromebook
      9 Easy Ways to Fix a Keyboard Typing Backwards on Windows
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/windows-mobility-center.htm
      2. ↑ https://tech4fresher.com/turn-keyboard-lighting-on-off/
      3. ↑ https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023354713-Game-Mode-and-backlight-control-on-the-Pro-Gaming-Keyboard
      4. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000132120/how-to-turn-off-or-on-and-troubleshoot-the-backlit-keyboard-on-your-dell-notebook-computer
      5. ↑ https://community.acer.com/en/kb/articles/5744-enable-disable-keyboard-backlight-on-nitro-notebook
      6. ↑ https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht104656-is-my-pc-configured-with-backlight-keyboard-and-how-to-turn-it-on-or-off
      7. ↑ https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/turn-keyboard-lighting-on-off
      8. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000132120/how-to-turn-off-or-on-and-troubleshoot-the-backlit-keyboard-on-your-dell-notebook-computer

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 133,312 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement