Owners of laptop computers from the Chinese manufacturer often face the need to quickly change the settings of the periphery in low light. Keyboard illumination is a convenient feature that allows you to type comfortably in the dark, but it can be annoying in the cinema, during sleep or simply interfere with concentration. On devices of the Mi Notebook and RedmiBook line, this parameter is implemented intuitively, but has its own nuances depending on the version of the BIOS and the operating system.
There are several proven ways to completely turn off or adjust the brightness of the keys. In most cases, this is done with a combination of hot keys, but sometimes you need to intervene in the system settings through the BIOS or the Xiaomi Assistant software. We will look at all the current methods that will help you save battery power or simply remove the excess glow that interferes with work.
It’s important to note that not all Xiaomi laptops are backlit. If you’ve purchased a budget version of the device, the lack of response to commands may be due to the physical design of the keyboard. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to determine if a feature is present, how to manage it, and what to do if standard methods stop working.
Checking for lighting on your model
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your device technically supports key glow control. Xiaomi laptops are divided into several series, and the base models often lack this option to reduce the final cost of the product. Carefully inspect the keyboard: on the power control key or on the F10 button (sometimes F9 or Space) should be marked with a special icon in the form of a light bulb or glowing stripes.
If the buttons do not have the appropriate icons, this does not always mean that there is no function. In some versions of the RedmiBook, the icon can be barely noticeable or located on the side of the case. However, if there are no visual markers, chances are your model belongs to the initial segment, where the conventional model is used. LED-lighting or not at all.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the keyboard or connect external light sources to the board contacts if the model does not support backlighting, this will result in loss of warranty and possible short circuit.
For accurate identification of the capabilities of your device, it is best to refer to the official specification. Below is a table that will help you navigate the popular models:
| Laptop model | Availability of backlight | Type of management | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Notebook Pro 15.6 | There is. | Hot keys | Two-level brightness |
| RedmiBook 14 | There is. | Fn + F10 | White glow |
| Mi Notebook Air 12 | No. | — | Absent constructively |
| RedmiBook Pro 15 | There is. | Automatic/Manual | Light sensor |
Making sure your laptop is a supported model can move to direct function management, and ignoring this step can lead to a waste of time looking for non-existent settings.
Control through hot keys
The fastest and most common way to turn off backlighting is to use a key combination. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, the Fn function key is usually responsible for this, combined with one of the top-row buttons. Most often it is F10, but some models, such as the Mi Notebook Pro, use an F9 button or even a separate key next to the Power.
Cyclical mode switching works according to the standard algorithm. When you press the combination, you will consistently change the brightness levels: maximum brightness → average brightness → minimum brightness → complete shutdown. To extinguish the keys, continue pressing the combination until the glow disappears completely.
☑️ Checking the backlight control
If the keyboard doesn't work, you may have Fn Lock activated on your device. In this case, try pressing Fn + Esc (or another key with a lock) to unlock the function row, and try again. It's also worth checking if the keyboard drivers are installed, since without them special functions may not be executed.
Configuring via BIOS and UEFI
In situations where software methods do not work, or if the settings are lost after the system update, you should refer to the basic I/O system. BIOS of Xiaomi laptops allows you to control hardware parameters, including the behavior of the periphery at start and in operation. To enter the BIOS menu, you need to restart the laptop and quickly press the F2 key several times in a row immediately after turning on.
Once you enter UEFI, go to the Advanced or System Configuration tab. You should look for the section associated with Keyboard Features or Backlight. In some firmware versions, the option may be called Keyboard Illumination. If the option is active, you can select the mode of operation: "Always On" (always on), "Auto" (automatically) or "Off" (off).
⚠️ Please be careful when changing your settings. BIOS. Do not change the values of parameters, the purpose of which you do not know, as this can lead to unstable operation of the laptop.
After making the changes, be sure to save the settings by selecting Save & Exit (usually F10).The computer will restart and the new backlight settings will take effect.This method is especially useful if the keyboard lights up every time you turn on the laptop, and you want to turn off this behavior at iron level.
What if the BIOS can’t see the keyboard?
Using Xiaomi Software
Modern Xiaomi laptops running Windows are often equipped with the utility Xiaomi Assistant or Mi Support. This software serves as a bridge between the user and the "hardware", allowing you to fine-tune various parameters that are not available through standard OS tools. Launch the application and find the section responsible for settings of the device or periphery.
Inside the program interface, there may be a brightness slider or a backlight switch. The advantage of software methods is that you can set a timer for turning off the backlight after a certain time of inactivity or link it to the launch of specific applications.
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Regularly update the Xiaomi Assistant app through the Microsoft Store or official website to get new device management and bug fixing features.
It's also worth checking the standard Windows power settings. Go to the Control Panel. → Power supply → Change the power plan. Although Windows rarely manages the keyboard lighting directly, some of the keyboards are not. OEM-drivers are integrated into this section, allowing you to turn off the backlight when you go to sleep or when the battery is low.
Problems with drivers and their solution
A common cause of ill-lighting, including the inability to turn it off, is outdated or damaged drivers. Windows Device Manager (devmgmt.msc) may display devices with a yellow exclamation mark in the Keyboards or System Devices section, signaling a conflict or lack of software.
To remedy the situation, it is recommended to visit the official Xiaomi support site and download the current drivers for your specific model. ACPI-After installing the updates, be sure to perform a full system restart.
- 🔹 Open Device Manager through Windows Search.
- 🔹 Find the Keyboard section and remove the current device.
- 🔹 Press Action. → Update the configuration of the equipment for automatic reinstallation.
- 🔹 Check the function keys function function.
If the automatic installation didn't work, try using Driver Booster or similar proven tools, but with caution. Sometimes the problem lies in the Mi Service app itself: reinstallation often solves software glitches of backlight control.
Impact of lighting on autonomy of work
Many users wonder how much the keyboard highlighting affects battery life. LED-The elements below the keys consume energy, and when combined with the brightness of the screen and the work of the processor, this parameter becomes significant.
Depending on the model and the number of LEDs, consumption can vary from 0.5 before 2 Watts per hour. At first glance, this is not much, but in terms of the battery capacity of a laptop (usually). 40-60 Watt⋅(h) savings may be 10-15 For those of you who work on the road, every minute of autonomy matters.
In addition, the constant operation of the backlight at maximum brightness can lead to heating of the lower part of the case in the keyboard area. Although this is rarely critical, in hot weather or high load on the processor, disconnecting excess energy consumers helps to maintain optimal temperature.
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Turning off the keyboard backlight is not only a matter of comfort, but also an effective way to save battery power in critical situations.
Thus, the ability to quickly manage this setting is a useful skill for any owner of a Xiaomi laptop. Regular use of hotkeys allows you to adapt the device to the current lighting conditions without unnecessary movements.