It's safe to say that the computer age has come of age. Gone are the days when you couldn't type in the dark without a desk lamp or other light source. Most computers these days come with a backlit keyboard to make typing easier in low light conditions. The backlit keyboard illuminates the keys for easier typing in low-light environments. Even at 3 a.m., you can type on your keyboard and get the job done from the comfort of your bed.
However, the keyboard does not stay on all the time. Also, the backlight settings differ depending on the type of computer you are using.
If you want your keyboard to be constantly on so you can type at all times without having to fiddle with a bunch of keys or buttons, this article will show you how.
How to Set a Backlit Keyboard to Always On for a Mac
Mac computers are always ahead of the competition when it comes to innovation, and that's undoubtedly also when it comes to their keyboards.
Most modern Macs have a light sensor at the top of the screen just below the camera. This sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the keys based on the amount of natural light detected. Once the sensor is activated, your keyboard lights up so you can work in any bright environment.
Here are the steps:
- Open the Apple menu and select "System Preferences".
- Click "Keyboard" to open the keyboard management pane.
- Check the box next to "Adjust keyboard brightness in low light."
- Quit System Preferences.
At this point, your keyboard should be illuminated, albeit slightly, if the room is very bright. If at any point you find that the keyboard is not bright enough, you can adjust the brightness by pressing F5, Fn or F repeatedly.
The System Preferences window also lets you specify how long your keyboard should stay on when your computer is idle with no key activity. This can be especially useful if you're trying to keep tabs on your battery power.
How to Set a Backlit Keyboard to Always On for an HP PC
Let's face it. Pressing "Q" instead of "E" isn't fun when you have an urgent task to complete. It can be frustrating and waste a lot of time.
Luckily, HP has made sure you can set your backlit keyboard to stay on all the time so you can type even in low-light environments.
Let's see how to do it:
- Restart your computer.
- Before the end of the boot sequence, press F10 several times to open the BIOS.
- Once the BIOS opens, scroll down to "Advanced" using the down arrow on your keyboard.
- Select "Built-in Device Options", then press "Enter".
- Click "Backlit keyboard timeout".
- Press the spacebar button on your keyboard to open the backlight timeout settings.
- Check the box next to "Never". This will ensure that the backlight stays on at all times.
Backlight settings also allow you to select a timeout setting as low as 5 seconds. If you don't want to drain your battery too quickly, you should consider a shorter timeout.
How do I set a Lenovo backlit keyboard to Always On?
If you own a Lenovo laptop, your backlit keyboard is something you may never really appreciate if you always work in open spaces or very bright rooms. In the dark, however, your keyboard comes to life, allowing you to type without too much strain.
Most Lenovo machines with a backlit keyboard also have light sensors designed to automatically adjust the brightness of the keys.
Here's how to activate these sensors:
- Open the Start menu.
- Select “Hardware Configurations”.
- Choose the "Keyboard Backlight" option.
- Click on "Automatic keyboard backlight".
- Choose the desired backlight level. You can choose Low, High or Off. But in order for the backlight to remain on at all times, you must choose the High or Low setting.
It is important to remember that the automatic keyboard backlight feature only works when it has been enabled in your machine's BIOS.
Here's how to check if the feature is enabled:
- Restart your laptop.
- As soon as the boot screen appears, press the F1 key repeatedly to enter BIOS mode.
- Select the “Keyboard/Mouse” menu.
- Select "Keyboard Backlight".
If the backlight feature is already enabled, you should see an active toggle button next to "Enabled". If not, the feature has not yet been activated. However, you can do this by simply toggling the button next to "Enabled".
How to Set a Backlit Keyboard to Always On for a Dell
Dell computers are known for their versatility and customization options, which is why it's a little disappointing that they don't let you adjust your backlit keyboard all the time.
Luckily, the Dell Feature Enhancement Pack Application lets you do just that. Here's how to use it:
- Install the application on your computer.
- Go to Control Panel and select “Hardware and Sound”.
- Choose "Dell Keyboard Backlight Settings".
- Select "Backlight" in the window that appears.
- Under "Timeout Settings", select "Never".
Additional FAQ
Is there a downside to keeping my keyboard backlight always on?
Yes. Your keyboard backlight can drain your battery because it uses LEDs to illuminate your keyboard. The amount of power it consumes depends on the brightness setting chosen. For this reason, you should only enable the "Always on" setting when absolutely necessary.
Anytime it's time to tap
The keyboard is one of the most important parts of your computer, but it's also one of the hardest to use when you don't have a light source. With a backlit keyboard, no matter how dark your surroundings, you'll be able to type comfortably and accurately in any situation.
That said, it's important to remember that backlit keyboard settings differ depending on the brand of your computer.
Some keyboards will let you change colors and brightness levels, and some will stay on all the time even if you don't change the settings. Others are designed to automatically turn off after a predetermined period of inactivity.
To find out if your keyboard has one of these features, you should check the properties section of your computer or consult your manufacturer.
What do you love most about backlit keyboards?
Let us know in the comments section below.
