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he MacBook Pro is undoubtedly one of the best laptops currently on the market. Offering an incredible user experience, it is known for its sleek design, excellent performance, and stunning features, making it a popular choice among professionals, students, and Apple enthusiasts. However, even with its exceptional design and functionality, MacBook Pro is not free from certain issues. One such common problem that many MacBook Pro users encounter is the MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working.
If you’re struggling with this issue, then you have landed on the right page. In this guide, we will show you how to fix the MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working issue.
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MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working? Start simple
Before you start troubling yourself with complicated fixes, make sure to check your keyboard’s brightness settings. It is possible that you have accidentally turned off the backlight, and that is why it is not working.
To check if this is the case, press the F5 key to decrease keyboard brightness or press F6 to increase it. In case the brightness does not change, hold down the “Function” key and press the F5 or F6 key to see if the backlit keyboard lights up.
If you’re seeing a change but it’s still not as bright as it should be – you may have a more serious issue. Or if when you press these keys, they feel sticky, or like they’re not depressing all the way – the key itself might be the issue. We have another handy guide for how to solve your MacBook keys sticking*(link to guide when published) here.
If the backlighting is something that appeals to you, trying an external keyboard could be ideal. External, third-party keyboards like this one come with a large variety of different settings and personalization options.
Solve your MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working by checking your system settings:
If you’ve ruled out the basics and your MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working issue is still there, the problem may be with the System Settings. Click on the Apple logo at the top-left corner of your screen, and select “System Preferences.”
Then, click on “Keyboard” from the menu. You should see a checkbox labeled “Adjust keyboard brightness in low light.” Ensure that this option is enabled and test your keyboard backlight again.
This hidden setting could be the issue, as it controls the backlighting based on the lighting it detects. When working correctly this feature should increase and decrease the backlighting to optimize it for the current lighting. However, if for some reason this is not working correctly, it can stop your backlighting from operating.
Resetting your NVRAM/PRAM should solve your MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working
If the above steps still did not solve your MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working issue, it may be a more serious issue. Try resetting your MacBook Pro’s non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) or parameter random access memory (PRAM).
Although it may sound daunting, this can help to clear any settings that may cause your keyboard backlight not to work correctly. Start by restarting your MacBook Pro, when it’s back on hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys simultaneously. The computer will boot up and chime twice. Release the keys, and your NVRAM/PRAM will be reset.
This is essentially resetting your computer’s short-term memory. It will clear any code that shouldn’t be there that may be causing issues with your system operating correctly.
Yes, finally updating your macOS can solve your MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working
If you’re like me, you may tend to click remind me later to your MacOS’s updates too often. Although this may be easy to do, it can have effects on all parts of your MacBook Pro – including your MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working.
Check if your MacBook Pro is up-to-date and run the available updates. Go to the Apple menu and click on “Software Update.” Installing the latest macOS version can fix the problem.
The final option for your MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working: Hardware Repair
If none of the above solutions fixed your MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not working, unfortunately, your MacBook Pro might need a hardware repair due to a fault in the backlight module.
In this case, it is best to contact Apple Support or an authorized repair service center to carry out this, as it is a complicated, costly procedure – not one you want to make an error carrying out.
If this option is outside your budget, perhaps a third-party peripherals seller like this one could be the alternative for you. We recommend this option as it has a plethora of settings and personalization options to choose from.
Conclusion:
Keyboard backlight issues are frustrating and can hinder your productivity, particularly if you work on your MacBook Pro during nighttime hours. Thankfully, resolving this issue is not challenging, and you can fix it by implementing the above solutions.
If you’re still unable to get your keyboard backlight to work, a hardware repair or new device might be necessary, and you can contact Apple Support for further assistance. With these steps, you can enjoy your MacBook Pro’s stunning features with the proper backlighting and seamless functionality.
