To turn off the keyboard light on a Windows 11 laptop, press the backlight key, usually a function key with a small keyboard or light icon (often F4, F5, F9, F10 or the space bar with Fn). Press it repeatedly until the light goes off. Windows 11 itself has no universal backlight switch, so if the key doesn’t work, use your laptop maker’s control app or, on some models, Windows Mobility Center or the BIOS settings.
Quick Answer
Press Fn + the backlight key until the keys go dark. If that fails, check the maker’s settings app or Windows Mobility Center.
Steps to Turn Off the Keyboard Light
- Look along the top row (and the space bar) for a key with a keyboard or light icon.
- Press that key. If nothing happens, hold Fn and press it.
- Keep pressing to cycle through brightness levels until the light turns off.
- If there’s no key, open your laptop maker’s control app and set the keyboard backlight to Off.
- On some laptops, press Windows + X, open Mobility Center and look for a Keyboard Brightness tile. It only appears when the maker’s driver supports it.
Where the Control Usually Is
| Method | Notes |
|---|---|
| Backlight key (with or without Fn) | Most common; the key varies by model |
| Maker’s control app | Sets brightness, timeout and sometimes colour |
| Windows Mobility Center | Keyboard Brightness tile on some models only |
| BIOS or UEFI settings | Some laptops offer backlight on/off and timeout |
| Dynamic Lighting (Settings > Personalization) | Works only with supported RGB lighting devices |
Troubleshooting
- Key does nothing: Try it with Fn, or toggle Fn Lock (often Fn + Esc) so the media keys work directly.
- Light comes back after a restart: Set the backlight or timeout in the maker’s app or BIOS so the choice sticks.
- Want colour, not off: See changing keyboard light colour in Windows 11.
- HP laptops: See the HP keyboard light guide; the same key turns it off.
- Still on Windows 10: The steps are similar; see turning off the keyboard light in Windows 10.
Related: Turn on the keyboard light on a Dell laptop.
Related: Turn on the keyboard light on a Dell laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my laptop have a backlit keyboard?
If no key shows a light icon and the maker’s app has no keyboard lighting option, it probably doesn’t. Check the model’s spec sheet to be sure.
Can I make the light turn off automatically?
Many maker apps and some BIOS menus include a timeout that dims the keys after a period of inactivity.
Why is there no setting in Windows 11?
Backlight hardware is controlled by the laptop maker’s firmware and drivers, so the controls live in their tools rather than in Windows.
Summary
- Find the key with the light icon.
- Press it, with Fn if needed, until the light is off.
- Use the maker’s app or Mobility Center if there’s no key.
- Set a timeout so it stays off.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.