Laptop keyboard lighting has changed the computing game and has made space for nighttime users to power on through the darkness. The vast majority of modern laptop computers come with backlit keyboards in addition to boasting a number of other fancy features that may distract from this rather basic, but wholly necessary feature.
So, you’ve got a new computer and you’re not quite used to the many shortcuts that allow you to change certain settings with the simple click of a button. When the sun goes down and you’ve still got hours of work to go, you’ll want to know how to turn on keyboard lighting so you can soldier on through the night.
Let’s break down how to make your PC work for you, delving into how to turn on your keyboard light, how to turn off your keyboard light, and the fixes to some troubleshooting errors you may run into with your HP laptop.
How to turn on a backlit keyboard?
If your HP notebook computer has a backlit keyboard, take a look at the top bar of your keyboard and locate the F5 button. This button may even be labeled with a backlight icon. Simply clicking this button while pressing the Fn button located at the bottom row of your keyboard will leave you with keyboard lighting operational magic.
It may be a simple on/off or, on some models, you can adjust the brightness of the backlighting.
Also, depending on your computer model, your PC may be configured to control the backlit keyboard via the F9 or F11 button rather than the F5 button. Practice the same simultaneous Fn + F11 operation to turn on a backlight keyboard light.
How to turn off a backlit keyboard?
Once morning hits and the natural sunshine illuminates your keyboard, you may find you have no need for the keyboard light to be on. In order to turn off the backlight on your laptop keyboard, press the same corresponding keys that allowed you to turn them on.
This could be a simple F5, F9, or F11 key press, or a dual-action Fn + F5, F9, or F11 key press.
How to adjust brightness on a backlit keyboard?
Your productivity depends on a number of particular elements that can make or break your flow. Sometimes it’s the brightness of your screen or your keyboard that can throw you off or exhaust your sensitive retinas.
In order to adjust the brightness on your keyboard backlights, press the backlight function key a couple of times for a dimmer illumination. This button alone functions as your one-stop-shop for all keyboard light operations.
How to change the color of a backlit keyboard?
Gamers saddled up for leaderboard success with an HP OMEN laptop have the option to toy with the color of their backlights as well. It’s no secret that gaming laptops often come with funky backlight features that add a certain edge to any competitor’s spirit.
Zoned backlighting
HP OMEN laptops feature zoned backlighting that enables users to assign and modify different backlight colors to specific keys and keyboard zones. Gamers use a number of keys to explore, attack, and strategize, so having visual segmentation helps simplify the interface for optimized precision.
For example, a PC gamer might want to assign red backlight colors to movement keys (WASD keys and arrow keys) and assign a blue light to item keys. The user will be able to hit each key with confidence, even if their eyes aren’t zeroed in on the keyboard.
In order to change the color of a backlit HP OMEN laptop keyboard, follow these six steps:
- Open OMEN Command Center from your Windows taskbar or via the Windows Start menu
- Select “Lighting” located on the left navigation sidebar
- At the top-right corner, make sure you select “Keyboard.” You will see three available modes: Animation, Static, and Off
- Select “Static” to manually assign specific colors to specific areas of the keyboard. The “Template” dropdown menu will reveal six different preloaded templates and a “Custom” option that allows you to design your own keyboard segmentation. These pre-existing templates will include WASD, FPS, MOBA, MMO, P1-P6, and All Keys
- After selecting a template, you will see a color guide at the bottom of the OMEN Command Center that will allow you to assign colors on the basic guide of advanced color options of your own selection
- Press “Apply” and marvel at your colorful keyboard setup!
How can I animate my HP OMEN backlit keyboard?
One of the coolest features integrated into HP OMEN laptops is their capacity for keyboard light animation. Designed to give gamers a more immersive experience, HP OMEN laptops can be configured to brighten and pulse with the bass and treble within your PC. So whether you’re the shooter ready to aim and fire, or the victim of a fatal game-changing blow, your keyboard will come to life with your game scape.
In order to animate the colors of your backlit HP OMEN laptop, follow these seven steps:
- Open OMEN Command Center from your Windows taskbar or via Windows Start menu
- Select “Lighting” located on the left navigation sidebar
- At the top-right corner, make sure you select the keyboard
- Select “Animation” under “Mode” to assign specific color-shows to the keyboard
- The “Effect” dropdown menu will reveal nine different preloaded animation settings that allow you to design your own keyboard segmentation
- These pre-existing animations include Color Cycle, Starlight, Breathing, Ghosting, Ripple, Wave, OMEN X, Raindrop, and Audio Pulse
- After selecting an effect, you will see a color scheme guide at the bottom of the HP OMEN Command Center.
- Pre-loaded animation themes include OMEN Galaxy, OMEN Volcano, OMEN Jungle, and OMEN Ocean
- You can also create your own color scheme by choosing “Custom”
- Modify the speed and direction of the animation with the sliders located at the bottom right
- Preview your animation creation and press “Apply” to implement changes
Can I install a backlit keyboard on my laptop?
If your computer does not come with an integrated backlit keyboard it’ll be incredibly difficult, perhaps even impossible, to install one unless you’re a seasoned computer engineer. Integrating a backlit keyboard is not as simple as mere installation; there are a number of components and programming procedures that must be taken into account as well.
Unlike their bigger desktop sibling, laptops are smaller, slimmer, and more intricate due to their compact nature. That means that they’re generally more difficult to take apart and reassemble. For inexperienced non-professionals, getting underneath the keyboard plate without proper training or proper tools may do more harm to your PC than anything else.
If you’re looking to upgrade your laptop to a high-tech backlit keyboard laptop, HP has a number of exceptional options for all types of PC users.
What are the best HP laptops with backlit keyboards?
For casual users: HP ENVY x360 13z touch laptop
Versatile, capable, and supremely portable, the HP ENVY x360 is the casual PC user’s ideal companion. The 13.3-inch touch display delivers beautiful AMD Radeon™ and impressive processing speed with the integrated AMD Ryzen™ 5 processor. From movie-watching to website creation, this laptop is perfect for the casual user, day or night.
For professionals: HP ZBook 15V G5 mobile workstation
Whether you’re stationed in an office cubicle or you’re out travel blogging for a living, the busy professional in you needs an adequate computing partner in order to keep up with your demanding workload.
The HP ZBook 15V G5 mobile workstation goes above and beyond when it comes to blazing performance speed and long-lasting durability. The full-sized, spill-resistant backlit keyboard ensures you can power on even under messy conditions.
For gamers: HP OMEN 15-inch laptop
Built from the ground up with powerful processing, next-level graphics, and future-proof gaming in mind, HP OMEN computers are engineered for gaming success. The HP OMEN 15-inch laptop boasts sprawling, immersive game scapes and high-powered gameplay with a hexa-core 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor supported by a NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1070 dedicated graphics card.
The built-in, full-size, 4-zone keyboard features NKRO anti-ghosting key technology. That means you can press as many keys as you need to win your battle royale round without ever losing a keystroke.
What are the best external backlit HP keyboards?
HP OMEN Sequencer keyboard
Characterized by individually backlit keys, the HP OMEN Sequencer keyboard is top of its class. Offering up to 16.8 million RGB colors to choose from, this backlit keyboard is even capable of handling unique effects, all customizable within the HP OMEN Command Center.
Made for gaming, this optical keyboard allows you to strike with lightning speed, enabling a remarkable 0.2 ms response time. That’s 10 times faster than traditional mechanical switches!
HP Elite x2 1013 G3 collaboration keyboard
Tablets are fantastic; compact, portable, and super sleek. But when it’s time to crack down on your workload, you may find it difficult to do so without a keyboard. Enter the HP Elite x2 1013 G3 collaboration keyboard. This backlit keyboard helps bring your tablet creations and documents to life without sacrificing any of the razor-thin portability you love.
HP OMEN keyboard 1100
Nothing says gaming keyboard like a keyboard with the WASD keys pre-highlighted. Never miss another shot with the HP OMEN keyboard 1100. This backlit beauty comes equipped with impressive anti-ghosting technology and ultra-responsive blue mechanical switches to fine-tune your response time.
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About the Author
Tulie Finley-Moise is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Tulie is a digital content creation specialist based in San Diego, California with a passion for the latest tech and digital media news.
