How to turn on keyboard lighting on Xiaomi devices: All ways (2026)

Keyboard highlighting on Xiaomi devices is not only a stylish accent, but also a practical feature for working in low light conditions. However, many users face the problem: how to activate it if the on button is not obvious and there is no direct switch in the settings? In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on backlighting, from standard key combinations to hidden functions in the BIOS and Mi Laptop Manager proprietary software.

It is important to understand that not all Xiaomi models are equipped with backlighting. For example, budget laptops in the RedmiBook series often do not have this option, whereas flagship Mi Notebook Pro or gaming ones are often deprived of this option. POCO Laptop offers multi-zone RGB-We can help you determine if your device supports this feature, and we can help you set it up as efficiently as possible, from changing color to setting up automatic shutdown when you're inactive.

What Xiaomi models support keyboard lighting

Before you try to turn on the backlight, make sure that your model supports it. In Xiaomi, this feature is found in the following lines:

• 💻 Mi Notebook Pro (all generations starting in 2020) – white monochrome or RGB-lighting according to modification.
• 🎮 POCO Laptop (2023–2026) – multi-zone gaming models RGB-lighting (16.8 million colors).
• 📒 RedmiBook Pro (Flagship only, for example, RedmiBook Pro 15 2023) – single-color backlight.
• ⌨️ External keyboards Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Keyboard and POCO Mechanical Keyboard – lighting is included separately.

If your model is not on this list, it is likely that there is no backlight physically. To check this 100%, look under the keys (carefully tweaking one of them with a plastic card) - the presence of LEDs will be obvious, and you can also search the technical specifications on the official Xiaomi website by the model number (indicated on the sticker at the bottom of the laptop).

Method 1: Hot keys for turning on backlight

The fastest way to activate backlighting is to use a key combination, and most Xiaomi laptops do it this way:

1. Find the button with the icon on the keyboard 🌓 (usually combined with F5, F6 or F10).
2. Press Fn (functional key in the lower left corner) and press the key with the backlight icon.
3. To adjust the brightness, use Fn + ↑/↓ (arrows up / down).

If the combination does not work, try the following options:

• 🔄 Fn + Space is an alternative combination on some models POCO Laptop.
• 🔦 Fn + Esc – turns on/off the backlight on RedmiBook Pro 15 2023.
• 🎨 Fn + C - cyclical color selection RGB (Only for multi-zone lighting models).

Make sure the Fn key is not locked (the indicator does not burn on it)

Try pressing Fn + Caps Lock to unlock the function keys

Update keyboard drivers through Device Manager

Check if the lighting is off in BIOS-->

Important: On dual-mode laptops (such as the Mi Notebook Air), the backlight may not work in tablet mode. If you flip the screen or turn off the keyboard software, first return the device to its standard position.

Method 2: Configure with Mi Laptop Manager

The Mi Laptop Manager app allows you to flexibly adjust the keyboard backlight, including color, brightness and automatic shutdown time.

1. Download and install Mi Laptop Manager from the official Xiaomi website (Windows version).
2. Launch the program and go to the Device → Keyboard illumination section.
3. Activate the slider Enable the lighting.
4. Set up the parameters: 🎛️ Brightness - from 10% before 100%. 🌈 Colour (for) RGB-models) – palette or preliminary settings (Rainbow, Breath, Wave). ⏱️ Timer – Automatic shutdown through 10/30/60 second-of-action.

If the keyboard highlighting section is not on the menu, it means that your model does not support software setting, in which case only the use of hotkeys or the BIOS update (more about this below) remains.

Method 3: Activate backlighting via BIOS/UEFI

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi Notebook Pro X 15), the keyboard lighting is disabled by default at the BIOS level.

1. Restart your laptop and press F2 or Del (depending on the model) to log in to the BIOS.
2. Go to Advanced → Keyboard Backlight (the name may vary).
3. Set the Enabled setting.
4. Save the changes (F10) and restart the device.

Note that in the BIOS of some RedmiBook laptops, the backlight option may be hidden. To see it, first activate Advanced Mode (usually at the press of F7).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect settings BIOS If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center.

Method 4: Adjust backlighting on external Xiaomi keyboards

External Xiaomi keyboards, such as the Mi Bluetooth Keyboard or POCO Mechanical Keyboard, are controlled differently than the built-in ones.

• 🔋 Power button – press and hold for 3 seconds to turn on/off the backlight (on mechanical keyboards).
• 🎯 Combination Fn + → — Cyclical enumeration of brightness modes (on the Mi Wireless Keyboard).
• 📱 Mobile Apps – for some models (e.g, POCO Gaming Keyboard is available POCO Keyboard Master for the Android/iOS high-set RGB.

If the keyboard is Bluetooth-connected, make sure it is within range of the adapter (not more than 10 meters) and not discharged. The backlight on wireless devices often turns off automatically when the battery is low (below 20%).

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For mechanical keyboards Xiaomi can buy a separate USB-hub with support for pass-through (pass-through), so that the backlight works even when the PC is turned off (in the “sleeping light” mode).

Problem Solving: The lighting is not turned on

If none of these methods worked, check the following points:

1. Update drivers: Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager). Find the Keyboard section, right-click on the device and select Update Driver. If the update doesn't work, delete the driver and restart the laptop, the system will install it automatically.
2. Check the physical connection: For external keyboards: try another USB-port or cable. For built-in keyboards: make sure the plume is not gone (requires disassembly of the laptop).
3. Reset the BIOS settings: Log in to the BIOS and select Load Default Settings. or remove the CMOS battery on the motherboard (for power users).

If the backlight previously worked, but suddenly stopped, the cause may be overheating of the keyboard controller, in this case, will help completely disconnect the laptop from the network for 10-15 minutes (not just reboot, but turn off with the hold of the power button).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi laptops with dual-battery system (main) + backup) full power reset requires both batteries to be removed or the power button held for 30 seconds with the power supply switched off.

Additional chips: automatic control of lighting

To illuminate the keyboard automatically in the dark or in low light, you can use third-party utilities:

• 🌙 f.lux - adjusts not only the screen, but also the keyboard backlight depending on the time of day (requires settings in Settings) → Devices).
• 💡 Keyboard LED Controller – allows you to link the inclusion of backlight to the launch of certain programs (for example, games or code editors).
• ⚡ AutoHotkey - a script for automatically turning on backlights when you press certain keys (example of the script below).

Example of a script for AutoHotkey that includes backlighting when you start the game:

#IfWinActive, ahk_exe game.exe


F1::




Send {Fn down}{F5}{Fn up}; Replace F5 with your backlight key




return




#IfWinActive

For mechanical keyboards Xiaomi with support for QMK/VIA, you can reflash the controller to adjust complex lighting effects (for example, reaction to keystrokes or music).

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Using third-party utilities to control backlighting can conflict with Xiaomi's proprietary software. Create a system restore point before installing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the highlighting of the keyboard Xiaomi