How to make the keyboard illumination not turned off on Xiaomi laptop

Owners of modern laptops from Xiaomi and RedmiBook often face an annoying situation when the keyboard backlight goes out after a few seconds of downtime, forcing the user to type blind in the dark. This behavior of the system by default is designed to save battery power, but in stationary conditions or when working in complete darkness, the constant need to press keys to activate the light causes serious discomfort.

Unfortunately, the standard Windows settings interface or the basic Xiaomi Settings app often lacks the obvious “Never Turn Off” slider, forcing users to search for workarounds, dig through the registry, or use specialized peripheral management software, and in this article we’ll look at all the available solutions, from simple key combinations to deep customization of system settings.

It is important to understand that the logic of the work LED-The backlights can vary dramatically depending on the specific model of your device. gaming versions of laptops like the Redmi G have more advanced light control algorithms compared to the Mi Notebook Pro series ultrabooks. So if one method didn’t work, it doesn’t mean that a solution isn’t possible—just try the alternative described below.

Basic settings through functional keys and Xiaomi Settings

The first thing to do is to eliminate the basic errors and check the standard control capabilities. On most Xiaomi laptops, the Fn + F4 key combination (or Fn + space on some models) is responsible for turning on and switching backlight modes. Pressing this combination cyclically changes the brightness: High → Low → Off. If your laptop supports only two brightness levels, then the third step will always turn off the lights.

However, even if you set the maximum brightness, the system can turn it off by timer. To control this parameter, Xiaomi laptops have a proprietary application Xiaomi Settings (or Mi PC Manager). The program interface often hides a tab responsible for the periphery, and you can find a point associated with the automatic switching off of light when inactivity.

If the GUI does not have settings, try updating the keyboard drivers and the application itself through the built-in updater. Often the problem is solved by updating the firmware keyboard controller, which is responsible for processing signals from light sensors and timers.

⚠️ Note: On some budget models (for example, older versions of RedmiBook 14), the backlight function can be cut down by the manufacturer, and the timer is “sewn” at the level BIOS without the possibility of change

In this case, software methods may not be complete and more complex manipulations will have to be used.

Setup of Windows Power Scheme for Backlighting

Windows has its own power-saving mechanisms that can force the keyboard to turn off lighting as an unnecessary power user, and to prevent the system from doing this, you need to change the parameters of the current power supply, which is especially true for users who are battery-operated and want to keep the keylights on all the time.

To access the advanced settings, click Win + R, enter control, and go to Power. Select an active plan (usually Balanced or High Performance) and click on Power Scheme Setup, then Change Additional Power settings.

In the window that opens, look for a branch that may be called Keyboard, System, or PCI Express. In some Xiaomi driver builds, a separate item appears here, "keyboard highlighting." If there is no such item, try turning off the energy savings for the device. USB-Ports (branch "Parameters" USB» → «Temporary shutdown parameter USB-port» → «Disabled “because the keyboard is often defined as USB-corpus.

After making changes, be sure to click Apply and restart your laptop to make the new settings take effect.This action can significantly affect battery life, so use this method with caution.

Using the Registry to Disable the Timer

If the GUI is powerless, you can go to the Windows registry, which is a riskier, but more effective method of disabling the idle timer for the Windows registry. HID-Before any manipulation of the registry, it is strongly recommended to create a restore point of the system.

Open the registry editor by entering regedit in the search bar, and you'll need to follow the path associated with managing USB or keyboard power. Often the keys you need are in the branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB

However, for Xiaomi laptops, it may be more relevant to create or change the key in the branch:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Xiaomi\MiService

You can try to create a DWORD (32-bit) parameter called Keyboard LightTimeout and set a value of 0 (zero), which will mean infinite running time. The exact name of the key can vary depending on the version of Mi Service, so it's worth searching for the current keys for your model on community forums.

Remember that Xiaomi driver updates can overwrite these keys, returning the factory timer settings, in which case you will have to repeat or create a script to automatically apply the settings when you download.

Specificity of Redmi G game models and control through BIOS

Owners of Redmi G series gaming laptops are in a better position as these devices are equipped with advanced management software. RGB-In such models, the light is responsible for a separate controller controlled through the Game Zone application or similar software preinstalled in the system.

You can find scripting settings in the game center interface, and you can create a "Constant Light" profile where the shutdown timer is completely deaktivirovan (off), and game models often allow you to synchronize backlighting with actions in games or system events, making manual control of the timer less relevant.

You should also look at BIOS/UEFI. When you boot your laptop, press F2 to get into the settings menu. Find the Advanced or Power Management section. There may be a Keyboard Light Timeout option. If it's set to 10s or 30s, change it to Always On or Disabled.

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Redmi G gaming models allow you to flexibly adjust timers through the Game Zone, while Mi Notebook ultrabooks are often limited to factory BIOS settings.

Third-party utilities for lighting control

When Xiaomi and Windows are failing, third-party developers come to the rescue. There are a number of utilities created by enthusiasts specifically to unlock hidden laptop features. One popular program is OpenRGB, or specialized scripts for Python that can send direct commands to the keyboard controller.

And you also have to look at tools like AutoHotkey, which can create a script that can simulate the backlighting key being pressed every few minutes, keeping the timer from going off, and it's a bonework solution for those who aren't afraid to run scripts in the background.

An example of a simple script for AutoHotkey that emulates pressing F4 (if it is responsible for light) once every 5 minutes:

SetTimer, KeepLightOn, 300000


Return





KeepLightOn:




Send {F4}




Return

Antivirus programs can react to emulation of input as suspicious activity, so add scripts to exceptions.

⚠️ Note: Only download third-party utilities from official repositories (GitHub) or verified forums. Files from unverified sources may contain malicious code.

Driver Impact and BIOS Update

Often the problem with spontaneously turning off backlights is that the ACPI or Embedded Controller (EC) drivers are incorrect, and these components are responsible for the interaction between the operating system and the laptop hardware, including the keyboard, and if the drivers are outdated or damaged, the timers may not work properly.

Check for updates in Device Manager. Deploy Keyboards, select your device (often HID Keyboard Device or PS/2 Standard Keyboard), go to properties and update the driver. It's also helpful to visit Xiaomi's official support site, find your model, and download the latest version of BIOS and EC Firmware.

BIOS updates are critical. In newer versions of the microcode, manufacturers often fix power management bugs that cause premature light quenching. Make sure your laptop is connected to the network during the upgrade.

Hardware limitations and light sensors

And remember, there's a light sensor that's built into many Mi Notebooks, and if it's contaminated or closed, it can misread ambient light, and the logic is simple: if the room is light, you don't need the keyboard backlit, and the system turns it off to save energy, even if you don't touch the keys.

Try to paste the sensor (usually next to the webcam) with an opaque sticker or, conversely, wipe it. In some cases, manual adjustment of the brightness of the screen helps: as the display brightness decreases, the system can automatically turn on the keylight and hold it longer.

Unfortunately, the most budget RedmiBook models use a simple LED tape without individual control of each diode and without the possibility of software shutting down the timer. USB-keyboard.

⚠️ Note: If the laptop is under warranty, avoid disassembling the case for “sweeping” or insulation of sensors, as this will lead to the loss of warranty obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)