No backlight key and FN not working

[Mimi113453q]

Now why would this cheap laptop not have an option for a backlight? I'm tired of seeing unanswered questions and articles and videos that don't apply to this cheap laptop. Even the keyboard for my iPad has a backlight! This is what you're greeted with when you stray from a better ecosystem. 

[Samrit26]

Hello,

The HP 250 G9 (511V8AV) is one of HP’s entry-level business notebooks, and the reason you can’t find any keyboard backlight option is unfortunately hardware design, not a BIOS or software omission.

Let me explain why, so you (and anyone else looking this up) understands the logic behind HP’s tiering — and why no amount of driver or BIOS tweaking will enable a backlight on that unit.

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🔍 The Real Reason: Hardware Limitation

The HP 250 series (G8/G9/G10) uses a non-backlit keyboard assembly by default.

• HP physically manufactures two keyboard variants for many chassis — one with a backlight membrane and power line, and one without.

• On the 250 G9, the mainboard does not include the backlight power trace or controller line on most sub-models, meaning even swapping in a backlit keyboard assembly won’t work.

• The BIOS also doesn’t include the Keyboard Backlight Timeout option, because it’s not compiled into that SKU’s firmware image.

So it’s not just “disabled” — the hardware and firmware don’t support it.

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🧩 Model Design Intent

The 250 G-series sits below the ProBook 400 G9 line.

• HP’s design philosophy here is cost-optimization for fleet or education use — minimal frills, longer battery life, and low repair cost.

• To keep BOM (bill of materials) down, features like keyboard backlight, IR webcam, and fingerprint reader are omitted or optional for higher SKUs only.

• Even within the same chassis, the ProBook 450 G9 can have backlight because its motherboard includes the driver MOSFETs and EC firmware support.

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🧠 What You Can’t and Can Do

Option	Feasibility	Notes
Enable in BIOS	❌ Not available — no EC support
Install drivers / HP Command Center	❌ Software cannot add hardware support
Replace with backlit keyboard	⚠️ Only works if motherboard supports backlight line (most 250 G9 boards don’t)
Use external USB backlit keyboard	✅ Works fine; not integrated but gives visibility
Upgrade to ProBook 450 G9 / 455 G10	✅ Supports same CPU class + backlight option

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🛠️ Technical Confirmation (for completeness)

If you open the HP 250 G9 Maintenance and Service Guide (HP part number: L86329-001), you’ll see:

“Keyboard — 101/102-key, non-backlit, island-style.”
No alternate SKU for “backlit” is listed, confirming it’s not supported.

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💡 Practical Advice

If you work in low-light environments regularly, your best options are:

• A slim external USB-C or Bluetooth keyboard with backlight (Logitech K810 / Keychron K6, etc.).

• Or, if you’re still within return/exchange window, move up one tier to a ProBook 450 G9 or G10, which uses the same chassis size but includes optional backlit keyboard support.

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So unfortunately — no, you’re not missing a driver or a BIOS toggle. The HP 250 G9’s keyboard simply has no backlight capability, and HP didn’t wire the motherboard for it.