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

Keyboard highlighting on Xiaomi laptops is a useful feature that not only adds a stylish look to the device, but also makes it easier to work in low light conditions. However, many users face the problem: the backlight either does not turn on the first time, or there is no reaction to standard key combinations. The reasons can be different from the banal shutdown of the function in the BIOS to the lack of the right drivers.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to turn on the backlight on Xiaomi RedmiBook, Mi Notebook Pro, Mi Notebook Air and other laptops. You’ll learn how to check your model’s backlight support, which hotkeys are responsible for controlling, and what to do if the keyboard doesn’t shine despite all the effort. We’ll also look at common errors that interfere with the function’s proper operation, and give recommendations for setting brightness and color (if your model supports this).

1. Checking backlight support with your Xiaomi model

Not all Xiaomi laptops are equipped with keyboard backlight. For example, the first-generation RedmiBook 14/15 budget models often lack this feature, whereas the flagship Mi Notebook Pro X 15 or RedmiBook Pro 15 2023 offer a multi-level RGB- backlight. To avoid wasting time, first make sure that your model supports this option.

This can be done in several ways:

• 🔍 Official website: Find your model on Xiaomi's website under "Facts." Look for references to the backlit keyboard or "keyboard highlighting."
• 📄 Documentation: Check the user manual (usually bundled or available on the site in PDF).The "Keyboard" section should contain a description of the function.
• 🖥️ External inspection: On some models (for example, the Mi Notebook Pro), the backlight is visible even when turned off - look at the keys for the lumen.
• 🔎 Model search: Type a search term like “RedmiBook 16 2022 backlit keyboard” into a search engine – often on forums, users share information about hidden features.

If your model does not support backlighting, further instructions will not help, in which case you can consider buying an external backlight for the keyboard (for example, USB- LED tapes) or switching to a model with this feature.

2. Standard method: hot keys for lighting

On most Xiaomi laptops with a backlit keyboard, control is done via a combination of function keys.

• 🔆 Fn+ F5 – lighting on/off (on some RedmiBook models).
• 🔆 Fn + Space - Switching brightness levels (on the Mi Notebook Pro).
• 🔆 Fn + Up/down arrow - brightness adjustment (on RGB- backlit models).
• 🔆 Fn + Del – Enables the backlight on the Mi Notebook Air 12.5.

If the combinations don’t work, try the following:

1. Make sure the Fn key is not locked.Some models have a separate Fn Lock key (usually next to the Esc).
2. Check if the function is disabled in the BIOS (see the next section).
3. Update the keyboard driver (instruction below).

Important: On Xiaomi laptops, the backlight may not turn on if the device is battery-powered and the charge level is below 20%.Plug the charger and try again.

Laptop connected to network (not working on battery)|Fn key not locked|Keyboard drivers updated|Screen brightness is not at a minimum (sometimes due to backlighting)-->

3. Enabling backlighting via BIOS/UEFI

If the hotkeys don't work, it's possible that the backlight is turned off at the BIOS level.This is true for the Mi Notebook Pro and RedmiBook Pro models, where the feature can be deactivated by default.

To enable backlighting in the BIOS:

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Press and hold the F2 key (or Del, depending on the model), then turn on the laptop. Hold the key until the BIOS menu appears.
3. Go to Advanced → Keyboard Backlight (the name may vary, look for Keyboard or LED).
4. Set the Enabled value.
5. Save the changes (F10) and restart the laptop.

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. RedmiBook 15 2021), the backlight option in the BIOS is hidden. To see it, first update the BIOS to the latest version through the official website.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other settings in BIOS unless you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect settings may cause system failure or inability to boot.

4.Update of keyboard drivers

If backlighting previously worked but Suddenly stopped turning on, the problem could be drivers, especially after a Windows update or system reset.

To update drivers:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Open the keyboard section.
3. Find a device called Xiaomi Keyboard or Standard PS/2 Keyboard.
4. Right-click → Update the driver → Automatic search.
5. If the update didn’t work, download the drivers from the official Xiaomi website (select your model in the “Support” section).

For models with RGB-backlit (for example, Mi Notebook Pro X), additional software may be required - Mi Keyboard Center. It can be downloaded from the official website in the "Utilities" section.

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If after updating the drivers, the backlight worked, but the hot keys do not respond, try to restart the laptop with the Shift key clamped - this will reset the keyboard cache.

5. Brightness and backlight color setting (for RGB- models)

Xiaomi’s RGB-backlit laptops (such as the Mi Notebook Pro X 15 2022) not only enable the backlight to be turned on, but also adjust its color and intensity.

How to set up RGB- backlighting:

1. Download and install Mi Keyboard Center from the official website.
2. Start the program (it can be in hidden icons of the taskbar).
3. In the main window, select the Lighting or Backlight tab.
4. Adjust the settings: 🎨 Color: Choose from the palette or set the custom hue. 🔆 Brightness: Slider from 0% to 100%. ⚡ Effects: Static, pulsating, wave, breathing, etc. ⏱️ Timer: Automatic shutdown after 5/10/30 minutes.

Save your profile (you can create multiple for different scenarios).

If the Mi Keyboard Center doesn’t recognize the keyboard, try:

• Reinstall the program with administrator rights.
• Update Windows to the latest version.
• Check if the software conflicts with other utilities (for example, Razer Synapse or Logitech G HUB).

6. Problem Solving: Lighting is not turned on

If you’ve tried all the ways but the backlight still doesn’t work, the reasons may be as follows:

If none of these methods helped, the problem may be a hardware malfunction:

• 🔌 Damaged plume backlight (often after disassembling the laptop).
• 💡 LEDs have burned out (if the backlight previously worked but suddenly went out).
• 🔋 Problems with the keyboard controller (diagnosis required at the service center).

⚠️ Warning: If you have no experience in electronics repair, do not attempt to disassemble your laptop yourself to check plumes or LEDs. Contact a Xiaomi authorized service center to avoid damaging other components.

7. Alternative ways to illuminate the keyboard

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t support built-in lighting, or it’s broken, you can use external solutions:

• 💡 USB- LED tapes: Pluted under keys and connected to a USB- port. Examples: Havit KV395, Baseus LED Strip.
• 🔦 Backlit keyboard pads: Transparent silicone pads with built-in LEDs (e.g., Razer Chroma Keycap Set).
• 🖥️ Backlit External Keyboard: Connects via USB or Bluetooth. Popular models include Keychron K3, Logitech MX Keys.
• 📱 Smartphone backlight: Use the phone flashlight by fixing it on your laptop with a holder.

When choosing external lighting, pay attention to:

• Brightness: At least 200 lumens for comfortable work.
• Color temperature: 4000-6500K (cold white) is less eye-weary.
• Power: USB- devices should not consume more than 500 mA, otherwise the laptop may turn them off.

For Xiaomi models with a thin body (for example, Mi Notebook Air), it is better to choose ultra-thin solutions so as not to interfere with the closure of the lid.

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External lighting is a good option for budget models, but it will not replace the built-in convenience. If you often work in the dark, when buying a new laptop, prefer models with factory-backlit (for example, RedmiBook Pro 15 2023).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the highlighting of the keyboard Xiaomi