How to turn on the keyboard light on Xiaomi laptop: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s RedmiBook, Mi Notebook and Mi Gaming Laptops Are Equipped with Stylish RGB-The keyboard lighting that not only decorates the device, but also makes it easier to work at night, but many users face the problem: the backlight either doesn’t turn on after buying, or suddenly stops working after updating the system. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to activate backlighting - from standard keyboard shortcuts to hidden settings in the lighting system. BIOS and specialized software from Xiaomi.

It’s important to understand that the switching algorithm depends on the particular laptop model and firmware version. For example, on RedmiBook Pro 15, 2022, backlight is controlled via Mi Control Center, and on Mi Gaming Laptop 2019, the Fn + F9 combination. We have compiled current instructions for devices released from 2020 to 2026, including the rare cases when backlights are turned off due to driver conflict.

If you've tried standard methods before and nothing has worked, don't rush to hand over your laptop to the service. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved software-based, without disassembling the device. Next, you'll find step-by-step guides with illustrations, a model compatibility table, and answers to frequent questions.

Standard key combinations for illumination

Most Xiaomi laptops support backlight control via function keys, a method that works on RedmiBook 14/15/16, Mi Notebook Pro and Mi Gaming Laptop (except for 2020 models with hardware backlight defects).

Try the following combinations:

• 🔹 Fn + F9 — switching on/off the lights (the most common option)
• 🔹 Fn + ↑/↓ — Brightness control (on some models)
• 🔹 Fn + Space - Switching color modes (only for the purpose of RGB-lighting)
• 🔹 Fn + P - activation of the game mode with backlight (on Mi Gaming)

If the keys don't work:

1. Make sure there is no lock on the Fn key (some models have it on the top right).
2. Check if the Function Key Lock function is disabled in the BIOS (more on this below).
3. Update keyboard drivers through Device Manager.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi’s 2020 laptops (especially the RedmiBook 16 Ryzen Edition) there was a massive problem with the backlight plume piling up. If neither combination works and the Device Manager displays the keyboard with an exclamation mark, it’s a hardware malfunction that needs repair.

2. setting up the backlight through Mi Control Center

For Xiaomi laptops on Windows 10/11, the company has developed proprietary software Mi Control Center, which allows you to flexibly adjust the backlight, including:

• 🎨 Choosing a color from a palette RGB
• 🔆 Brightness adjustment with step 5%
• ⏱️ Automatic shutdown timer
• 🎮 Backlighting profiles

How to install and configure:

1. Download Mi Control Center from the official website (version no lower than 2.5.3).
2. Install the program by following the instructions (administrator rights are required).
3. Launch the utility and go to the Keyboard Backlight tab.
4. Activate the Enable Backlight slider and adjust the settings.

If the Keyboard Backlight tab is missing:

Update to the latest version|Make sure your laptop model is supported (list on Xiaomi website)|Reinstall keyboard drivers manually|Check if the Xiaomi Service Framework is disabled in services.msc-->

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If the light flashes or spontaneously turns off after installing Mi Control Center, turn off the power saving mode in the Windows Power Settings. Go to Control Panel → Power → Schema settings → Additional settings and set the maximum performance for the PCI Express parameter → Reference status in battery mode.

3. Activation of backlighting through BIOS/UEFI

In rare cases, keyboard lighting is disabled at the BIOS level, which can occur after resetting, updating the firmware or incorrectly turning off the laptop, to check and turn on the function:

1. Restart your laptop and when the Xiaomi logo appears, press F2 or Del (depending on the model) to log in to the BIOS.
2. Go to the Advanced section → Keyboard/Input Device Configuration.
3. Find the Keyboard Backlight or Fn Key Lock setting and set the Enabled value.
4. Save settings (F10) and restart.

On some models (Mi Notebook Air, RedmiBook 13) the option may be called differently:

• 🔧 Keyboard Illumination
• 🔧 Backlight Control
• 🔧 Function Key Behavior (Multimedia Key First)

⚠️ Attention: Change of settings BIOS If you're not sure what you're doing, take a picture of your current settings before you change. BIOS (For example, Mi Notebook Pro X incorrect settings can block access to the main firmware.

4. Update drivers and keyboard firmware

A common cause of illumination is outdated or conflicting drivers, especially after a Windows update or system reinstallation.

Method 1: Automatic update via Device Manager

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Open the keyboard branch.
3. Right-click on Standard PS/2 Keyboard or Xiaomi Input Device and select Update Driver → Auto Search.

Method 2: Manual installation of drivers from Xiaomi

If the automatic search does not help, download the drivers from the official site:

1. Go to the support page of Xiaomi.
2. Enter a laptop model (e.g. RedmiBook Pro 15 2022).
3. In the Drivers section, look for the Keyboard Driver or Hotkey Driver package.
4. Install the driver and restart the laptop.

For models with RGB-backlit (Mi Notebook Pro X, Redmi G Pro) additionally required:

1. Install Xiaomi RGB Fusion Utility (you can download on the Xiaomi forum)


2. Launch on behalf of the administrator




3. Manually select a backlight profile

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If after updating the drivers backlight worked, but the Fn keys are no longer responsible for multimedia (volume, brightness), install Xiaomi Hotkey Driver – it will restore functionality.

5. Checking hardware faults

If the software methods don't work, the problem may be in the hardware, and here's how to diagnose a malfunction:

Signs of hardware defect:

• 🚨 The lighting does not respond to the keys or the software
• 🚨 In Device Manager, the keyboard is displayed with an error (code 10, 19 or 43)
• 🚨 Lighting flashes or works intermittently
• 🚨 The laptop does not respond to the pressing of some keys

What you can do on your own:

1. Check the backlight plume: Turn off the laptop and disconnect the battery. Remove the bottom cover (a cross screwdriver is required). Find the plume that goes from the keyboard to the motherboard (usually black or grey).

Test the keyboard on another device:

Keyboard to USB

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi RedmiBook 16 (2020) has had a massive backlight plume defect. If your model falls under this series, don't try to repair yourself - 90% of the time it requires a complete plume replacement, which only a service center with original parts can do.

6. Alternative ways of controlling the illumination

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these non-obvious solutions:

1. Use of third-party software

• 🌈 Razer Synapse supports some Xiaomi models via OpenRGB plugin.
• 🌈 OpenRGB – Open Source Management Software RGB-Devices (requires manual profile setting for Xiaomi).
• 🌈 Aurora RGB — universal utility with support for Xiaomi keyboards (paid, but there is a trial version).

2. Resetting Windows settings

Sometimes conflicts in the registry or power settings block the backlight.

1. Open Options → Update and Security → Recovery


2.Click Return the computer to its original state →Save my files




3. After reset, install the drivers manually (see Section 4)

3. Activation through the command line

For advanced users: you can try to force the backlight through WMI (does not work on all models):

1. Launch the command line on behalf of the administrator


2 Enter:


   wmic /namespace:\\root\wmi path MSAcpi_ThermalZoneTemperature get CurrentTemperature


(This is a ACPI- Management Support Check)




3. If the command is executed without errors, try:


   echo 1 > /sys/class/leds/smc::kbd_backlight/brightness


(for Linux systems or WSL)

FAQ: Frequent questions about the highlighting of the keyboard Xiaomi