On the face of it, keyboard backlights are a great way to see your keyboard keys in low-light or dark environments. They can also be helpful if you have poor eyesight. Lenovo laptops are known for their high-quality keyboards, and many models come with backlights. While there are a few different ways to turn on the keyboard backlight on a Lenovo laptop, the most common method is to use a keyboard shortcut.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to turn on the keyboard backlight on a Lenovo laptop using the keyboard shortcut. We’ll also cover some troubleshooting tips in case you’re having trouble getting the backlight to work.
How to Turn on Your Lenovo Keyboard Light Using Keyboard Keys
To turn on the keyboard backlight on a Lenovo laptop using the keyboard shortcut, follow the following steps:
N.B. This method works on both IdeaPad and ThinkPad laptops, as long as they have a keyboard backlight.
Step #1
Locate the Fn key on your Lenovo laptop. It is typically located in the bottom row of the keyboard, between the Ctrl and Windows keys.
Step #2
Locate the Spacebar key on your Lenovo laptop. It is the large key at the bottom of the keyboard, next to the Alt and Left Ctrl keys.
Step #3
Press the Fn key and the Spacebar key at the same time.
Step #4
Repeat this shortcut to cycle through the different brightness levels.
Step #5
Press the shortcut again to turn off the backlight.
Some Lenovo laptops have a keyboard backlight icon on the Spacebar key. If you see this icon, you can press the Spacebar key by itself to turn the keyboard backlight on and off.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut to adjust the brightness of the keyboard backlight on some Lenovo laptops. To do this, press the Fn key and the Spacebar key together, and then press the Up arrow key or the Down arrow key to increase or decrease the brightness.
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How to Turn on the Keyboard Light using the Lenovo Vantage Software
The Lenovo Vantage software typically comes preloaded on most Lenovo laptops. You won’t need to download or purchase it from the internet.
To turn on the keyboard backlight on your Lenovo laptop using the Lenovo Vantage software, follow these steps:
- Open the Lenovo Vantage software. You can find it by pressing the Fn key and the F5 key at the same time.
- Click on Device.
- Click on Input & accessories.
- Under the Keyboard backlight, click on the On/Off switch.
If the On/Off switch is turned on, the keyboard backlight should turn on. If it doesn’t turn on, try restarting your laptop.
You can also adjust the keyboard backlight brightness using the Lenovo Vantage software. To adjust your laptop’s backlighting using the software, click on the Brightness slider under the Keyboard backlight.
In the same breath, you can schedule the keyboard backlight to turn on and off automatically using the Lenovo Vantage software. To schedule backlight switching, click on the Schedule button under Keyboard backlight.
If you are still having trouble turning on the keyboard backlight, try updating the Lenovo Vantage software. To update your Lenovo’s Vantage software, Click on the Help button in the top right corner of the Lenovo Vantage window and then select Check for updates.
N.B. The Lenovo Vantage software may not be available on all Lenovo laptops. The steps for turning on the keyboard backlight using the Lenovo Vantage software may vary depending on the version of the Lenovo Vantage software that you are using.
How to Turn On a Lenovo ThinkLight
Older Lenovo ThinkPad laptops do not have a keyboard backlight, so the ThinkLight is the only way to illuminate the keyboard.
To activate the ThinkLight on older Lenovo ThinkPad laptops, locate the dedicated ThinkLight shortcut key, usually labelled as PgUp (Page Up). Simultaneously press the Function key (Fn) and the PgUp key to illuminate the ThinkLight. This will provide practical illumination for both your keyboard and any nearby documents.
To turn off the ThinkLight, simply press the Function key and PgUp key together once more.
Related: Are Lenovo Laptops Good?
Does My Lenovo Laptop Have a Backlit Keyboard?
Easily determine if your Lenovo laptop features a backlit keyboard by checking for the keyboard backlight shortcut, usually located near the Spacebar. If your Lenovo laptop lacks backlighting, you won’t find this shortcut printed on the keyboard.
Why Is the Keyboard on My Lenovo Laptop Not Lighting Up?
Generally, the most common reason why your Lenovo keyboard isn’t lighting up is that your laptop simply doesn’t come with a keyboard backlight feature.
Lenovo offers budget-friendly laptops without this feature, and you can confirm this if the keyboard lacks the backlight shortcut.
If your Lenovo laptop does indeed have a keyboard backlight, but the keyboard shortcut isn’t working, you can try enabling it using Lenovo’s Vantage software. You’ll find the keyboard backlight toggle in the Inputs & Accessories section.
Troubleshooting keyboard backlight issues on Lenovo laptops
If the keyboard backlight on your Lenovo laptop is not working, there are a few things you can try:
- Make sure that your laptop is turned on and that the battery is not depleted.
- Try pressing the keyboard shortcut to turn on the keyboard backlight multiple times.
- Restart your laptop.
- Update the BIOS to the latest version.
If you are using the keyboard shortcut to turn on the keyboard backlight, make sure that you are pressing the correct keys. The keyboard shortcut is typically Fn + Spacebar.
When utilizing Lenovo Vantage to activate the keyboard backlight, ensure that the “Turn on keyboard backlight” switch is in the ON position
If you have tried all of the above tips and the keyboard backlight is still not working, try disabling and then re-enabling the keyboard backlight in the BIOS. To toggle the backlight in BIOS:
- Restart your laptop and press the F1 key or F2 key multiple times to enter the BIOS.
- Navigate to the Keyboard or Input tab.
- Disable and then re-enable the Keyboard Backlight option.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
If your keyboard backlight remains non-functional even after you’ve attempted these fixes, consider doing a check for the backlight in the first place. Refer to the previous section of this guide to do this.
Reaching out to Lenovo for additional assistance will serve you best in a case where you’ve confirmed your laptop has a keyboard backlight, but you can’t get it on, no matter what.
Frequently Asked Questions
HP laptops often come equipped with backlit keyboards featuring a dedicated key for toggling the keyboard lighting. This key can usually be found in the top row of Function F keys, represented by an icon with three squares emitting lines. Simply press this key to switch the keyboard light on or off.
To control your keyboard backlight, press the F5 key. If this doesn’t activate or deactivate the backlight, search for the function key that has a backlight icon. You may need to press the fn (function) key simultaneously to achieve the desired effect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, turning on the keyboard backlight on your Lenovo laptop is easy using keyboard shortcuts or the Lenovo Vantage software. However, if you encounter any issues with your laptop’s keyboard backlight or need further assistance with your Lenovo PC, don’t hesitate to contact your favorite computer repair company, TickTockTech.
