How to the Change the Keyboard Color on a PC: Shortcuts & More

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An easy guide to changing the backlight color of your RGB keyboard
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Does your desktop or laptop computer have an RGB backlit keyboard? Whether you have a gaming laptop or a standalone RGB keyboard, it's easy to change the color of the LEDs that illuminate your keys. Depending on your model, you may even be able to cycle through colors automatically. This wikiHow tutorial will walk you through changing your keyboard color on any Windows PC.

Quick Tips to Changing Your Keyboard Lighting

  • Use the keyboard shortcut Fn + Space or Fn + C to change the keyboard color on a Windows 10 or 11 computer.
  • Another way to change the keyboard color is with free RGB software like OpenRGB or SignalRGB .
  • Otherwise, use the software that came with your device (like Razer Synapse or iCUE).
Method 1
Method 1 of 8:

Using a Keyboard Shortcut

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  1. Depending on your keyboard, you may be able to change with a keyboard shortcut . On some systems, the keyboard shortcut involves the Fn key. Try any of these keyboard shortcuts to cycle through all available RGB keyboard colors. This isn't possible on all backlit keyboards. [1]
    • Fn + C
    • Fn + Alt (the one on the right)
    • Fn + Ins
    • Fn + - or +
    • Fn + 1 , Fn + 2, through Fn + 0.
    • Fn + Spacebar
    • If your model does not have a keyboard shortcut, you can use your RGB customization panel to change your keyboard and other colors.
  2. Sometimes pressing the shortcut will simply change the color of the keyboard. Other times, it will open a panel that prompts you to customize your RGB scheme. If you see an option for Lighting , RGB , or similar, select it to access your keyboard color settings.
    • If you have multiple RGB devices, you may need to select your keyboard to continue.
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  3. On some keyboards, you can also choose to have the color appear static, animated, or off.
    • Pick Static if you want to pick a solid color from the color wheel.
  4. If you've picked Static , or there were no other options, you can select a color for your keyboard from the available colors.
    • If your keyboard has animated color settings, you will usually be able to choose from some color animation presets. You may also be able to customize your own keyboard color theme.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 8:

OpenRGB

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  1. OpenRGB is an open-source lighting control program that doesn't depend on manufacturers' software. If you have a lot of different RGB peripherals or computer parts, OpenRGB makes it easy to control them all from one application.
    • To download OpenRGB, go to their website , scroll down to "Windows Release Builds," and then click the Windows (64-bit) or Windows (32-bit) link to download the ZIP file.
    • Once downloaded, unzip the file to extract the "OpenRGB Windows 64-bit" (or 32-bit) folder. You will find the OpenRGB program inside that folder.
    • Check OpenRGB's compatibility list to see what devices it supports.
  2. If you have any other RGB controllers (like Razer Synapse, Logitech G Hub, iCUE, etc.), disable or uninstall them before continuing.
  3. In the new OpenRGB folder, right-click "OpenRGB.exe" and select Run as administrator . You'll have to put your password in to continue.
  4. It will be on the left-hand side, with a keyboard icon and the keyboard's name on the tab.
  5. The settings you have available depend on what keyboard you have. You can select a pre-made RGB mode or create your own. [2]
  6. If you want, you can make multiple profiles with different colors, color schemes, and modes and switch between them by tapping Load Profile .
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Method 3
Method 3 of 8:

SignalRGB

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  1. Like OpenRGB, SignalRGB is free software you can use to change keyboard color on supported keyboards. If your keyboard appears on SignalRGB's supported device list , you can download the app from SignalRGB.com .
    • SignalRGB supports a wide variety of keyboard models, including many by Asus, Corsair, Logitech, and Razer. [3]
    • Once you download the installer, double-click the file and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
    • Uninstall (or shut down) any other RGB customization software, such as iCue or Razer Synapse, to avoid conflicts. [4]
  2. If you create an account, you will be able to choose from hundreds of color effects for your keyboard. Otherwise, click Continue as a guest to skip right to SignalRGB.
  3. If you aren't taken to the Devices tab by default, click Devices in the left panel first. If your keyboard is compatible, you should see it in the device list. [5]
    • Unlike other RGB devices, you don't have to configure your keyboard in SignalRGB–it should just work.
  4. This is where you'll find all available colors and effects for your keyboard. [6]
  5. Choose any of the schemes at the bottom to see it in action, then change the colors, layouts, and effects as needed. [7]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 8:

Razer Keyboards & Razer Blade Laptops

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  1. If you want to change the color of your Razer keyboard, you can use Synapse 4, Synapse 3 or Synapse 2, depending on your model. [8] If you don't have Razer Synapse already installed, you can download it from Razer's website .
  2. If you're using Synapse 4 or Synapse 2, choose your keyboard or Razer Blade laptop to continue.
    • If you're using Synapse 3, click the KEYBOARD tab if you're using a Razer keyboard, or the SYSTEM tab on a Razer Blade laptop. [9]
    • If you don't see your Razer keyboard, unplug it and plug it back in.
  3. You can adjust your keyboard's brightness and lighting effects from this menu.
  4. There are several preset RGB modes and other customizations you can pick from:
    • In Synapse 4, click Quick Effects or Advanced Effects to choose your preferred colors.
    • In Synapse 3, select a color preset or click STUDIO to create your own color scheme.
    • In Synapse 2, click CHROMA CONFIGURATOR to select your preferred colors.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 8:

HP OMEN Laptops

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  1. You can do this easily by searching "HP OMEN Control" in the search bar in your taskbar. Not all HP OMEN laptops have the ability to change the backlight, so if you don't see HP OMEN Control installed on your laptop, you likely won't be able to change your keyboard's light color.
    • Click on HP OMEN Control to open it.
  2. If you don't have a profile yet, click the + button next to "Profile" to create one.
  3. This will bring you to the lighting menu, where you can customize your keyboard's backlighting per zone.
  4. HP OMEN Control will show you what each zone of your keyboard is on the diagram on the screen.
  5. Click the color selector beneath the dropdown to pick a color for that zone.
  6. Alternatively, you can click Apply to all zones if you want each zone on your keyboard to have the same backlighting.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 8:

Dell Laptops

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  1. If your Dell laptop has a backlit keyboard with the ability to change LED colors, you can instantly switch between colors with this keyboard shortcut. On most Dell laptops, white, red, green, and blue are the default active colors.
    • If you have a Dell Latitude laptop with an RGB backlight keyboard, you can add two more colors in the BIOS. [10] Other models may have more or fewer colors to choose from.
  2. To get into BIOS , reboot your laptop , and then press F2 repeatedly as soon as it turns back on to open the system menu. [11]
    • Choose BIOS if prompted.
  3. If your mouse won't work, use the arrow keys on your keyboard and press Enter when the right option is selected. [12]
  4. The right side of the window will change to let you make changes. [13]
  5. On the right, you can use the boxes to set your color and use it.
    • Keep in mind that you can only add 2 colors.
  6. Your laptop will restart with your new colors added. You can now switch keyboard colors using Fn + C . [14]
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Method 7
Method 7 of 8:

Lenovo Legion Laptops

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  1. If your keyboard is not lit up, this will turn on the default color. [15]
  2. You can use the free software that came with your Lenovo Legion laptop to change the colors of your keyboard depending on what you're doing.
    • If you haven't installed iCue, download it from [16] .
    • Select a profile to edit its colors. In the Edit Profile box, you'll see menus that allow you to link the profile to actions and change menu icons and colors.
  3. This is the fastest way to select new static colors for your keyboard. [17]
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Method 8
Method 8 of 8:

MSI Laptops

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  1. The way to change the color of your keyboard varies by MSI device. To find out which software you'll need: [18]
    • Go to the MSI website and click the magnifying glass icon.
    • Search for your laptop.
    • Select your model and click the Support tab.
    • Select your model from the menu again.
    • Click the Utility tab and select your operating system.
    • If you see SteelSeries, continue with this method.
    • If not, jump down to Step 8 .
  2. You should see the SteelSeries icon in the system tray (the area near the clock). Click the icon to open SteelSeries GG. [19]
  3. It's in the menu on the left side of the window.
    • If you don't see this option, click Gear at the top of the page instead.
  4. You will see MSI Per Key RGB Keyboard, MSI 3 Zone RGB Keyboard, or similar. [20]
  5. You'll see this at the top of the window. This is where you can select a color (or multiple colors, if supported) for your keyboard backlight. [21]
  6. Select a light template from the Templates menu to choose from a set of RGB backlight colors and patterns, then fine-tune your selection using the color palette on the left. [22]
    • Once you click the section tile, you have the option to change the lighting type, like Drain , Gold Splash , and Rainbow Split Mode . You may also see options like Audio Mode, which pulses the backlight and colors along with music.
    • If you want a solid color backlight, select Steady from the "Effects" menu on the left.
  7. You can also click the X in the top right corner of the window to close the program.
    • You can also create presets that you can change throughout the day. Press FN + 1-0 to cycle through the presets. [23]
  8. If you don't have a SteelSeries model, you'll use the MSI Center app to change your keyboard color. It's super easy: [24]
    • Type MSI into the Windows search bar and click MSI Center.
    • Click the Utility tab at the top.
    • Toggle on the "Mystic Light" switch.
    • Click the keyboard icon.
    • Select your preferred backlight color and effects.
    • Click Apply when you're finished.
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      Tips

      • If you have a MacBook, you're out of luck. These laptops don't come with more than white lights that you can turn on and off by pressing the Illumination key. [25]
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      • Not every backlit keyboard can have its lighting color changed. You can Google your specific keyboard or laptop model + "change light color" to see if it's possible for your keyboard.
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      • You can also change the colors of a Facebook Messenger chat to keep it fun and interesting.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.technewstoday.com/how-to-change-rgb-on-keyboard/
      2. ↑ https://gitlab.com/OpenRGBDevelopers/OpenRGB-Wiki/-/blob/stable/User-Documentation/Using-OpenRGB.md
      3. ↑ https://signalrgb.com/devices/
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/xhABW5eTKGM?si=ABRO3WXsbcrnMMJG&t=50
      5. ↑ https://docs.signalrgb.com/qmk/srgbmods-qmk-firmware#if-the-keyboard-does-not-light-up-or-does-not-react-properly-to-signalrgb
      6. ↑ https://docs.signalrgb.com/gettingstarted/customization
      7. ↑ https://docs.signalrgb.com/gettingstarted/customization
      8. ↑ https://mysupport.razer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1665/~/how-to-configure-and-change-the-keyboard-backlight-color-on-a-razer-blade
      9. ↑ https://mysupport.razer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1665/~/how-to-configure-and-change-the-keyboard-backlight
      1. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/latitude-5404-laptop/lat_14_5404_gsgpub-v2/changing-the-keyboard-backlight-color?guid=guid-edc3401c-6015-4f72-8fea-ed42a4932f16&lang=en-us
      2. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-ph/latitude-5404-laptop/lat_14_5404_gsgpub-v2/customizing-the-backlit-keyboard-in-system-setup-bios?guid=guid-0876af4d-5731-4025-ba49-405de496f621&lang=en-us
      3. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-ph/latitude-5404-laptop/lat_14_5404_gsgpub-v2/customizing-the-backlit-keyboard-in-system-setup-bios?guid=guid-0876af4d-5731-4025-ba49-405de496f621&lang=en-us
      4. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-ph/latitude-5404-laptop/lat_14_5404_gsgpub-v2/customizing-the-backlit-keyboard-in-system-setup-bios?guid=guid-0876af4d-5731-4025-ba49-405de496f621&lang=en-us
      5. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-ph/latitude-5404-laptop/lat_14_5404_gsgpub-v2/customizing-the-backlit-keyboard-in-system-setup-bios?guid=guid-0876af4d-5731-4025-ba49-405de496f621&lang=en-us
      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.corsair.com/us/en/s/downloads
      8. ↑ https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/legion-series/legion-y740-17irhg/videos/vid500120-lenovo-legion-how-to-customize-keyboard-lighting-with-icue
      9. ↑ https://www.msi.com/support/technical_details/NB_KB_RGB_Troubleshooting#txt01
      10. ↑ https://www.msi.com/support/technical_details/NB_KB_SteelSeries#txt02
      11. ↑ https://www.msi.com/support/technical_details/NB_KB_SteelSeries#txt02
      12. ↑ https://www.msi.com/support/technical_details/NB_KB_SteelSeries#txt02
      13. ↑ https://www.msi.com/support/technical_details/NB_KB_SteelSeries#txt02
      14. ↑ https://us.msi.com/support/technical_details/NB_KB_Backlight
      15. ↑ https://us.msi.com/support/technical_details/NB_KB_Backlight#txt02
      16. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/turn-your-keyboards-backlighting-on-or-off-mchlp2265/mac

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