Backlight key (F5) does not work

[LiesbethMB]

The backlight key (F5), which was working OK yesterday, today stopped working.

I had the same issue a few months back after cleaning the keyboard (switched off), received a helpful tip, but alas forgot to make a note of it.

Besides this key all the so-called action keys stopped funtioning except for Esc, PrtSc and Delete. The light in the keyboard does work (caps lock lights up).

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @LiesbethMB,

Thank you for visiting the HP Forums! A great place where you can find solutions for your issues with help from the community! I came across your post and wanted to assist you. I understand you are having issues with the backlight key stopped working, don't worry as I have a few suggestions which should help you resolve this issue.

To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:

Did this happen after a recent software update?

Have you tried to perform a System restore?

In the meantime, let's try these steps here: 

Perform a Hard reset on the notebook: A power reset (or hard restart) clears all information from the computer's memory without erasing any personal data. Performing a power reset might fix conditions such as Windows not responding, a blank display, software freezing, keyboard stops responding, or other external devices locking up.

Perform a Bios defaults:

1. Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
2. Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu.
3. On the BIOS Setup screen, press F9 to select and load the BIOS Setup Default settings.
4. Press F10 to Save and Exit.
5. Use the arrow keys to select Yes, then press Enter when asked Exit Saving Changes?
6. Follow the prompts to restart your computer.
7. Once the computer restarts, please check if it works.

If the issue persists, please try these steps here: 

1. Click the Start button, then click Run.   

2. In the Run window, next to Open, type MSCONFIG.   

3. Press the ENTER key.   

4. In the System Configuration Utility window, click the Startup tab.   

5. On the Startup tab, under Startup Item, ensure that there is a check in the HKserv checkbox.   
    
   NOTE: If HKserv is missing, reinstall the Hot-Key Utility application by Clicking here 
    
   For Windows 10 drivers: Click here  

(ignore the ads, 3rd party link has been sent to ensure your issue is fixed, I'm going beyond my way to help you and if you would like to give me virtual high five, Click on the purple thumbs up 🙂 ) 

  

If the above doesn't help, please create another User account as suggested earlier and try again. 

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care.