You might believe that your Backlit Keyboard has stopped working for a reason that you cannot understand. But the truth is that there is always a reason, and we’ll explain how you can fix the issue easily. So if you’re wondering how you can fix your Dell Backlit Keyboard then we’ve got the solution to your problem.
Enable the Backlit option within your computer. Another method to fix your Dell Backlit Keyboard includes installing the latest BIOS for your Keyboard. You must also ensure that you do not have a faulty keyboard driver and that the brightness of your keyboard is not reduced.
We go into detail regarding all of the above-mentioned options. This is to provide you with all the information you could need to fix your Dell Backlit Keyboard.
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Attempt to Troubleshoot your keyboard

If you’ve just experienced an issue with your Dell Backlit keyboard and need a quick solution then perhaps the best thing to do first is to attempt a troubleshoot. By troubleshooting you allow windows to run diagnostics of your system to track precisely what issue you might be facing and how it could be fixed.
In order to run troubleshooting for your keyboard in particular, we recommend the following steps:
- You need to simultaneously press the Windows Key and the I key.
- This will open the Windows Settings
- Select the option called Update and Security
- Within this menu select the option Troubleshoot
- In the Troubleshoot menu, Select Additional Trouble-shooters
- Select the option called Find and Fix Other problems
- Within the new menu that has opened select Keyboard and select Run the troubleshooter.
- This should begin the troubleshoot process.
Alternative Troubleshooting method
This troubleshooting option is not available in the Settings Meu, but it can be accessed using the Command Prompt line. This should only be utilized if the previous troubleshooting method di not provide effective results to the user.
- Open the Command Prompt from the Windows Start menu.
- In this prompt you must type the following msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
- Once this has been written in the prompt line, you must press Enter
- This will open a new menu which will contain the Hardware and Devices option
- Select Advanced
- Within this menu select Apply Repairs Automatically
- After this option has been selected, the user needs to click Next and it will run the troubleshooter.
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How to fix your Backlit Keyboards BIOS?

Most Backlit keyboards from Dell require the latest drivers in order to turn on. This means that if your system still contains older BIOS, you might continuously run into the issue of your Backlit Keyboard not working as intended. To fix this, you must obtain and install the latest BIOS on to your system.
How to access your BIOS?
- Boot up your Dell laptop or Dell computer.
- Once the Dell Logo appears during start up press the f2 key
- You must press the f2 key several times
- You will then be able to access BIOS Set up or System Setup.
An alternative method to access your BIOS?
- Boot up your Dell laptop or Dell computer.
- Wait for the Dell Logo screen to appear upon start up.
- Upon seeing the logo press the f12 key repeatedly.
- You will now be brought to a menu with several options.
- Select BIOS Setup or System Setup from that menu.
How to update your BIOS?
To update your BIOS and ensure that you have the latest software available to fix your Backlit Keyboard you must browse the Dell support website and obtain the updated drivers. To do so visit the Dell Support website. Once that is complete please follow the remaining steps:
- Begin by identifying your Dell computer by using the Dell SupportAssist or entering the Serial number.
- Secondly, select the Operating System currently installed on your computer.
- You must locate the section called Category.
- Under the section called Category select BIOS
- Locate the latest System BIOS or the ones recommended for your system.
- Click the Download button and save the BIOS setup file on your computer.
- Double-Click on the downloaded BIOS setup file
- Follow the instructions provided by the installation wizard.
- Once the process is complete you must restart your Computer.
How to enable your Keyboard’s backlit option?

On an updated BIOS, you need to ensure that the Keyboard backlit option is enabled. This can be done by following the given instructions:
- Open the BIOS Setup once you’ve completed the previous mentioned steps.
- In this setup, you will get multiple options from which to choose.
- Select the + sign that will be present next to the System Configuration.
- Now you must select the Keyboard Illumination option
- There are three key options that this will present to you.
- First, Enable the Keyboard Illumination if it has been turned Off.
- Next, increase the brightness of the keyboard illumination.
- Finally, decide if you wish to have keyboard illumination at Dim or Bright.
- Finally you must click Apply and then Exit the setup.
This should largely fix your Dell Backlit keyboard if there are no apparent mechanical issues. If the issues continue to persist then follow the other options provided within this guide.
Related: The 7 Best Keyboards for OSU
How to reinstall Dell Backlit Keyboard drivers?
If none of these others options have worked so far then an issue might exist with the drivers of your backlit Dell Keyboard. To fix this, you will have to reinstall the drivers for your keyboard. The process is simple enough, just follow these steps:
- On Windows 10, the user can select the Windows key + R to open a menu.
- On the menu, the user needs to type devmgmt. msc in Run.
- As the user selects Enter, they will access the Device Manager snap-in.
- The user needs to click the + sign right next to the Keyboards option.
- After right-clicking on HID Keyboard Device, the user needs to uninstall the device.
- A confirmation box will pop up and the user needs to select Uninstall on it.
- This will allow the laptop to suggest a restart and the user should select Yes.
- After the device is restarted, the Keyboard should be reinstalled in factory conditions.
And voila, you should have your drivers reinstalled and in all likelihood your Dell Backlit Keyboard is working in incredibly once more.
And that’s all the information you need to fix your Dell Backlit keyboard. The Dell support system can help in fixing any specific mechanical issues that might occur. Let us know if you have any further queries, till next time!

