Keyboard backlight not turning on or off

[HMallettF]

I have a Spectre x360 Convertable purchased in 2016. The keyboard backlight has recently stopped turning on with the key press. I have gone into the BIOS settings to switch the fn key and turned on the f5 key backlight. Upon restarting the computer the f5 key was not lit all the time, but would toggle on/off when pressed without the rest of the keyboard. Also uninstalled the keyboard driver and still nothing. The f5 button is also still able to refresh, so I know it is not an issue with the key itself.  It has been finicky for a while, sometimes turning on a delay, but since the last two or three updates not working at all. Anyone else experiencing a similar issue?

[Echo_Lake]

@HMallettF

Thank you for posting on HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, I have a few troubleshooting steps we could try to fix the issue:  
Hard Reset: Follow steps from the link: https://hp.care/2GnkMa8. (Refer to the removable and sealed battery)
BIOS default: (do not skip any troubleshooting steps even if you feel steps are repeating)

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. If the issue persists, follow next steps.

Use HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to complete functional test of the keyboard and identify any problems with the hardware.

NOTE: Bluetooth devices are not currently supported.

1. Download the latest version of HP PC Hardware Diagnostics.

2. In Windows, search for and right-click HP PC Hardware Diagnostics for Windows, and then select Run as administrator.

   

3. Click Component Tests, click Input Devices, and then select the Keyboard Test.

   

4. Click Run once to begin the test.

   The test ends when you complete the tasks or after 3 minutes.

For more information about using the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics for Windows, go to HP PCs - Testing for Hardware Failures.
 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[HMallettF]

Thank you for your reply! I tried all of these and they still do not turn on. I performed the hardware diagnostics and the keyboard passed with no issues.

When it first started acting strangely, I would press the button and the backlight would turn on a couple second delay, and the last time it turned on, it turned on after a two-minute delay of me pressing it. 

[Echo_Lake]

@HMallettF

Thank you for posting back.

I appreciate your efforts to try and resolve the issue.  Firstly, perform Windows Update and HP Support Assistant: (do not skip any troubleshooting steps if you feel steps are repeating) 

To check for updates now, select the Start button, and then go to Settings  > Update & security  > Windows Update, and select Check for updates.

Install updates from HP Support Assistant: Go to Download HP Support Assistant to install the tool.

1. To open HP Support Assistant, double-click the HP Support Assistant icon .
2. Click My devices in the top menu, and then click Updates in the My PC or My notebook pane.
3. Click Check for updates and messages to scan for new updates.
4. Review the list of updates. Updates with a yellow information icon are recommended. Updates with a blue information icon are optional.
5. Click the update name for a description, version number, and file size.
6. Select the box next to any updates you want to install, and then click Download and install.

And, also run BIOS Update: Follow steps from the link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c00042629
 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[HMallettF]

Thank you! For some reason, the backlights started working out of nowhere three days ago but I still ran the BIOS update and a wireless button driver update through the HP support assistant. I can't definitively say updating these solved the issue, but they are still working after the updates. 

[Echo_Lake]

@HMallettF

Thank you for posting back. 

I am glad to know that you managed to resolve the issue. Please reach out again for any further assistance.

Have a nice day ahead.