Modern laptops from Xiaomi and the sub-brand RedmiBook are equipped with stylish aluminum cases and high-quality screens, but one of the most popular functions for working in the dark remains the keyboard backlight. Many users, when they first encounter devices of this brand, can not immediately find the usual control buttons or understand the logic of the function keys. This is often due to the fact that the key combinations can differ depending on the specific model and regional version of the device.
In most cases, the problem is not hardware malfunction, but the lack of necessary drivers or improper configuration of system utilities. Keyboard illumination on Xiaomi laptops is controlled programmatically through special services that must interact correctly with the Windows operating system. If you just reinstalled the OS or bought a laptop without preinstalled software, the function can simply be disabled at the software level.
In this detailed guide, we’ll look at all the possible ways to activate key glow, from simple hotkeys to complex settings in the BIOS and registry. You’ll learn how to set up automatic brightness control using a light sensor and what to do if the keys stop responding to your actions. It’s critical to understand that some budget versions of Xiaomi laptops are physically missing a layer of LEDs under the keys, and software methods won’t help here.
Checking for backlighting and searching for functional keys
Before you start to make complex adjustments, you need to make sure that your particular model of the Xiaomi Mi Notebook or RedmiBook laptop does have a backlight module. On budget versions, such as some configurations of the RedmiBook 14 or Mi Notebook Air of the early years of release, this option may not be available. Visually, the presence of the feature can be determined by looking closely at the keys, especially in the area of the F1-F12 feature range.
Usually, the key responsible for controlling the light has a special symbol that resembles the sun or light rays. Xiaomi devices most often use combinations with the Fn key. The standard option is to simultaneously press Fn + F9 or Fn + F10. In some models, such as the Mi Notebook Pro, a separate button in the upper right corner of the keyboard is responsible for this.
If the visual inspection did not yield results, you should consult the technical documentation or specification on the official website.
- 🔆 Fn + F9 — standard combination for turning on and off lights.
- 🌗 Fn + F10 — switching of brightness modes (minimum, maximum, off).
- ⚙️ Fn + Space - found on some game models of the RedmiBook G series.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi laptops, the Fn key is locked in multimedia mode by default. F1-F12 They work like media controllers, try unlocking Fn mode first, often with a combination of Fn. + Esc, where the Esc key also has a special lock icon.
Installation and configuration of Xiaomi Notebook Helper drivers
The main reason for the backlights is the absence or incorrect operation of system drivers. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi uses specific drivers to manage ACPI and hotkeys. Without the installed package Xiaomi Notebook Helper or Xiaomi Service, the operating system simply does not receive signals from the keyboard.
To solve this problem, you need to go to Device Manager and check the Keyboards and System Devices section. If you see unknown devices with a yellow exclamation mark, then the drivers are not installed. The best way to download them from the official support site is to enter the exact model of your laptop.
The installation process requires the following actions:
- 💾 Download the driver installation package from the official Xiaomi portal.
- 🚀 Run the installation on behalf of the administrator and follow the instructions of the wizard.
- 🔄 Restart the laptop after installing all components.
After restarting, the system must recognize the keyboard as HID-Device Manager requires manual driver installation: select “Update driver”, specify the path to the downloaded folder and select the file with the.inf extension. ACPI responsible for the proper distribution of energy and signals between the keys and the motherboard.
☑️ Driver verification
Using Xiaomi Settings app to control light
In modern laptop models such as the Mi Notebook Pro 15 or RedmiBook Pro 14, peripheral management is made in a separate application Xiaomi Settings. This software allows you not only to include backlighting, but also to adjust its behavior depending on environmental conditions.
The interface is simple enough, but it's hidden. You can find a brightness slider in the "Basic Features" or "Keyboard" section, and you can also find an "Auto" feature that uses a built-in light sensor, and if it gets dark in the room, the keyboard lights up automatically, saving battery power during the day.
The table below shows the main parameters available for setting in the application:
| Parameter | Description of function | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | The level of brightness of the glow | 50-70% for comfort |
| Timeout | Time to disconnect after inactivity | 10-15 seconds |
| Auto Light | Automatic adjustment by sensor | Included. |
| RGB Mode | Color scheme mode (for game models) | Static white |
If the app doesn't start or settings don't save, try reinstalling it through the Microsoft Store or restarting the installer from the Restore Disk. Xiaomi Settings is tightly integrated with the BIOS, so sometimes resetting the app settings can help.