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- HP Community
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- Notebook Software and How To Questions
- How do I make my keyboard stay lit? Keeps timing out.

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02-01-2020 09:07 PM - edited 02-01-2020 09:08 PM
My backlit keyboard continually times out. The F5 key only works like a dimmer. How can I make the backlighting stay on?
02-04-2020 02:43 PM
I have gone through your Post and would like to assist
Not every Notebook Model has the option to adjust the back light timings. Most notebook only have the option to Turn ON and Turn OFF the Back Light
I suggest you check if the settings are available
Your BIOS version and screens might vary.
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Restart the notebook, and then immediately press the F10 repeatedly until the BIOS opens.
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When the BIOS opens, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Advanced tab.
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Navigate to Built-in Device Options, and then press Enter.
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In the Built-in Device Options, select Backlit keyboard timeout.
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Press the spacebar to open the keyboard backlight settings, and then select the timeout setting you want.
NOTE: If you select Never, the backlight remains on which could quickly drain the notebook battery power.
Note: If there is not a setting for the backlight timing in the BIOS, this behavior might not be supported on the notebook. Check your notebook model's product support documentation to confirm support.
Link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c01612362
Thank you and have a great day 😃
If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Solution Accepted" on the Public Post and it will also help other community members with similar issue.
KrazyToad
I Am An HP Employee
02-09-2020 01:12 PM
HP did a bios update to my laptop yesterday but still no option to adjust the keyboard backlit timeout. F5 only functions as a dimmer. Backlit times out every 30 seconds. Very annoying. What other options are there?
02-10-2020 12:55 PM
@JohnsonDW I hope you know that not all keyboards have an option to use the timeout feature by design, that's only available on limited devices, that said, here's all you need to know about using the backlight of your keyboard:
Toggle backlight settings:
If your notebook computer has a backlit keyboard, press the F5 or F4 (some models) key on the keyboard to turn the light on or off. It might be necessary to press the fn (function) key at the same time.
If the backlight icon is not on the F5 key, look for the backlit keyboard key on the row of function keys.
FOR DETAILS & FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, USE THIS LINK: CLICK HERE
(By the end of this article all the issues should be resolved)
If you wish to thank me for my efforts, you could click on "Accept as solution" on my post as the solution should help others too.
Riddle_Decipher
I am an HP Employee
Learning is a journey, not a destination.
Let's keep asking questions and growing together.
02-10-2020 09:43 PM
The backlit icon is on my F5 key but it only works like a dimmer. Press once the backlit is bright. Press again and the backlit is dim. Press a third time and the backlit goes off. This key does not effect the time out. In bright or dim it still times out in 30 seconds. Whatever has it set to 30 seconds should be able to be changed.
02-11-2020 12:56 PM - edited 02-11-2020 12:57 PM
@JohnsonDW I'm afraid the backlit timeout cannot be changed in most consumer laptops including yours, it's just set to defaults by design and there's nothing we can do to make changes to it.
I hope you understand.
Riddle_Decipher
I am an HP Employee
Learning is a journey, not a destination.
Let's keep asking questions and growing together.
02-16-2020 08:52 PM
What I understand is that to have a backlit keyboard function that you can't control makes no sense. Why would HP not give the consumer the ability to adjust to their liking? Poor design. Had I known that was the case, I would have bought a Dell.
Thanks for the information.
02-17-2020 10:34 AM
@JohnsonDW I understand your concern and I will bring your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP.
Although, I'll need some private information from you in order to create a case for you.
Please look for a private message requesting additional information.
Keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers, case details, etc...).
If you are unfamiliar with how the Community's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.
Thank you for visiting the HP Support Community.
Riddle_Decipher
I am an HP Employee
Learning is a journey, not a destination.
Let's keep asking questions and growing together.