Xiaomi laptops are not only powerful technical specifications and stylish design, but also additional features that make working behind the device more comfortable. One of these features is the keyboard backlight, which not only decorates the appearance, but also makes typing easier in low light conditions. However, many users face the problem: how to activate this very backlight if it does not turn on by default?
In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to turn on backlight on different models of Xiaomi laptops – from the budget RedmiBook to the flagship Mi Notebook Pro. You will learn which keys are responsible for controlling brightness, how to check for a function in your model, and what to do if the backlight does not respond to standard commands. BIOS, which may affect the performance of this function.
It is important to note that not all Xiaomi laptops are equipped with a keyboard backlight. If your device does not support this option, no manipulation will help activate it. To avoid disappointment, first make sure that your model is indeed equipped with a keyboard. LED-lighting.
What Xiaomi models support keyboard lighting
Before you try to turn on the backlight, you need to make sure that your Xiaomi laptop supports this feature at all. LED-In the lighting, especially budget lines, below is a list of popular models with confirmed keyboard backlighting support:
- 💻 Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro 15.6" (2021/2022/2023) — full-size RGB-luminous
- 💻 Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro X 15.6" - multicolor backlight with setting through MIUI+
- 💻 Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 15/14 (2022/2023) — white-light 3 brightness
- 💻 Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3" (2020 and later) - monochromatic backlight
- 💻 Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop (2019/2020) — RGB-lighting
If your model is not listed, it doesn’t mean that there’s no backlight. For example, some regional versions or special editions (such as the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Enhanced Edition) may also come with this feature. To know if your laptop supports backlighting, you can:
- 🔍 View the specifications on the official Xiaomi website (section "Specifications")
- 🔍 Check for the lighting icon on the keys F9, F10 phn + keyboard
- 🔍 Run diagnostic software, for example, Xiaomi PC Suite, where all available functions are displayed
⚠️ Note: On some models, the keyboard lighting is activated only after installing official Xiaomi drivers. If you reinstall Windows and did not install drivers from the manufacturer's website, the feature may not work.
Ways to enable keyboard highlighting on Xiaomi
If your laptop supports backlighting, there are several ways to turn it on, and to start with the simplest and most obvious is using hotkeys. Most Xiaomi models allow you to control the backlight from the keyboard without having to go through any additional settings.
Usually, the combinations with the Fn key are responsible for controlling the backlight. Try the following options:
- 🔦 Fn + F9 — Turning on/off the lights (on most models)
- 🔦 Fn + F10 — brightening
- 🔦 Fn + F11 — brightness
- 🔦 Fn + Space - changing colors (on models with RGB-lighting)
If the hotkeys don’t work, it’s possible that the function is disabled in BIOS Or you don't have the necessary drivers, so you can go to the following.
Customization through MIUI+ (support-model)
Some flagship models, such as the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro X, allow you to control the backlight through proprietary software. MIUI+. This app syncs the laptop with other Xiaomi devices (smartphones, tablets) and provides additional features, including customization. RGB-lighting.
To adjust the lighting through MIUI+:
- Install the app MIUI+ from the official Xiaomi website.
- Sign up or sign in to your Mi Account.
- Connect your laptop to the same account as your Xiaomi smartphone.
- In the mobile application go to the Devices section → Laptop → Lighting settings.
- Choose color, brightness, and effects (e.g. wave, breath, static color).
If MIUI+ There is no partition with backlight setting, so your model does not support control through this application.
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On some models, backlighting automatically turns on in low light if the Adaptive Backlight feature is activated in Windows power settings.
Checking and updating drivers
If the hot keys do not work, and MIUI+ There is no backlight control option, the problem may lie in the absence or outdated drivers. Xiaomi laptops require the installation of special drivers to correctly work the keyboard backlight, especially after reinstalling Windows.
To update drivers:
- Go to the official Xiaomi support website.
- Enter your laptop model in the search bar.
- Download the latest driver package for your operating system (usually an archive with a name) Xiaomi_NoteBook_Drivers.zip).
- Unpack the archive and launch the Setup.exe file.
- Follow the installation wizard’s instructions by selecting the Keyboard Backlight Driver component.
After installing the drivers, restart your laptop and try turning the backlight back on with the hot keys. If the problem persists, check Device Manager:
- 🖥️ Press Win. + X and select Device Manager.
- 🖥️ Deploy the Keyboard section.
- 🖥️ If an exclamation point is displayed next to the device, right-click on it and select Update the driver.
⚠️ Note: Some users have a problem when the backlight stops working after a Windows update, in which case the keyboard driver will roll back to the previous version or install drivers manually through Device Manager.
Adjusting the lighting in BIOS
In rare cases, the keyboard lighting can be turned off at the level BIOS. This is true for some Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro models, where the function is managed not only through the OS, but also through low-level settings.
To check and turn on the lights in BIOS:
- Turn off the laptop.
- Press and hold the key. F2, Then turn on the laptop (not let go). F2).
- On the menu. BIOS Go to Advanced (Advanced Settings).
- Find the Keyboard Backlight option or LED Control.
- Set the Enabled value.
- Save the changes (F10) and restart the laptop.
If you BIOS no such item, so the backlight is controlled exclusively at the operating system level, and configure it through BIOS required.
What if the BIOS does not save the settings?
Solving problems with broken lighting
If you have completed all the steps, but the keyboard backlight still does not turn on, consider the possible causes and ways to eliminate them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The hot keys don't work. | There is no keyboard driver or software conflict | Install drivers from the official Xiaomi website or roll back the system |
| The lighting flashes or works unstablely | Power problems or damage to the keyboard plume | Check the connection of the plume or contact the service center |
| The lighting is turned on, but not regulated brightness | Failure in the work of Xiaomi proprietary software | Reinstall Xiaomi Quick Tools or MIUI+ |
| The lighting only works from the network. | Power saving settings in Windows | Turn off the energy saving mode for USB-devices in the control panel → Power supply |
If none of these methods worked, it may be a hardware malfunction, such as a LED controller or a backlight plume that could fail, in which case you should contact a Xiaomi authorized service center for diagnosis.
Check the hot keys (Fn) + F9/F10/F11)|
Update keyboard drivers from the official website|
Check the settings. BIOS|
Make sure the lighting is supported by your model.|
Try resetting Windows settings to factory|
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Additional lighting features on Xiaomi
Some Xiaomi laptops, especially gaming and flagship, support advanced lighting settings, such as the Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop and Mi Notebook Pro X, which have the following features:
- 🎨 RGB-color-selected lighting – more than 16 million shades
- 🔄 Dynamic effects – wave, breathing, rainbow, reaction to pressing
- 🎮 Game profiles – automatic color change depending on the game running
- ⏱️ Disconnection timer – the backlight goes out after a predetermined time of inactivity
Xiaomi’s proprietary software is used to manage these functions RGB Fusion (analogue) MSI Mystic Light or ASUS Aura Sync. You can download it from the official website in the support section of your model. Once installed in the system tray, you will see a program icon through which you can configure it:
- 🎛️ Static Color – Selecting a single shade for the entire keyboard
- 🌈 Color zones – different colors for different parts of the keyboard (e.g, WASD separately)
- 🔄 The speed of animation – adjusting the smoothness of the transition of colors
- 🔒 Application binding – Automatically enabling a specific effect when a game or program is launched
On Xiaomi laptops with processors AMD (For example, RedmiBook Pro 15 Ryzen Edition can be controlled through the software AMD Radeon Software if the latest driver versions are installed.
Energy consumption and keyboard lighting
Many users worry that the keyboard lighting on significantly reduces battery life, LED-The backlight consumes additional energy, but its effect on autonomy is not as critical as it may seem.
According to the results of tests conducted by enthusiasts on the forums Mi Community, the keyboard lighting at maximum brightness increases battery consumption by approximately one million times. 3-5% That is, if the laptop is running without lighting. 8 With the lights on, this time will be reduced to 7.5-7.7 But there are a few ways to minimize the impact on autonomy:
- 🔋 Use the minimum brightness of the backlight, sufficient for comfortable work
- ⏳ Set up automatic lighting shutdown through 30-60 second-of-action
- 🔌 Turn off the lighting when working from the battery, if this is not necessary.
- ⚡ In Windows Power Settings, select Balanced or Energy Saving when no backlight is needed.
It is also worth noting that on some Xiaomi models, the backlight automatically turns off when switching to battery power, if in the settings BIOS Enterprise software activated option Energy Saving Mode.
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Keyboard illumination on Xiaomi laptops consumes a minimal amount of energy and practically does not affect performance, but with prolonged battery life it is better to turn it off.