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Asked: 2024-09-25T02:34:48+05:30 In: ,

How can I enable the backlighting feature on my keyboard in Ubuntu?

So, I’m digging into some late-night coding on my laptop, and I’m really struggling to see the keys on my keyboard. I’ve got this nice backlighting feature – or at least, I thought I did – but I can’t seem to find a way to turn it on in Ubuntu. It’s getting pretty frustrating, you know? I’ve been poking around in the settings, but everything seems a bit different compared to what I used to have with Windows.

I’ve tried the usual suspects: Function keys, messing with the keyboard settings, you name it. I even checked the system settings under the “Keyboard” section, but there’s nothing that mentions backlighting. Honestly, I feel a bit lost because I remember someone saying that with Ubuntu, you might have to use terminal commands or something. Do I really have to dive into that?

I’ve done some digging online and found a few posts. Some suggested using a command line tool called `xset` to manage keyboard settings, but I’m not sure if that’s the right way to go about it. I get that the terminal can be powerful, but every time I try to type something in there, I worry I’ll break something in my system.

What I really need is some guidance from someone who’s been in the same boat. Is there a specific command or option I should be looking for? Or maybe it’s a hardware thing that I need to toggle? I also read that some laptops have different Fn-key combinations; should I be trying those out?

It just seems like such a simple thing to want – to light up my keyboard so I can type in the dark without squinting. If anyone has ever figured this out or has some insider tips on getting that backlight to shine, I’d really appreciate your help! What’s the secret sauce to making this work on Ubuntu?

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    2 Answers


    1. Sounds frustrating! Getting that keyboard backlight working on Ubuntu can be a bit tricky, but don’t worry, you’re not alone!

      First off, many laptops have a special Fn key combo to control backlighting – it might be something like Fn + F3 or Fn + F4. Try pressing those while looking for the backlight to kick in. Sometimes the keys have little keyboard icons on them!

      If that doesn’t work, diving into the terminal might be necessary, but it’s not as scary as it sounds. You can try using xset in the terminal to manage settings. Here’s a command you might want to start with:

          xset r rate 300 50

      This command adjusts key repeat rates, but for the backlight specifically, you might want to look at:

          echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/class/leds/smc::kbd_backlight/brt

      Replace 1 with a number that corresponds to the brightness level you want, usually between 0 (off) and 3 (max brightness).

      If you’re not comfortable running commands, some laptops come with their own settings apps, so check your menu for anything related to hardware or keyboard settings.

      Also, do a quick search online with your laptop model and “Ubuntu keyboard backlight” – there might be specific instructions or drivers needed.

      Remember, it’s all about trial and error, so don’t hesitate to experiment a bit. You’re learning, and that’s what counts. Good luck, and may your keyboard illuminate your coding adventures!



    2. To enable keyboard backlighting on your laptop running Ubuntu, there are several approaches you can explore. First, check if your keyboard has a dedicated backlight toggle key, often represented by a symbol resembling a light or sparkle on the function keys. In many cases, the key you need to press in combination with the Fn key will toggle the backlight directly. If that doesn’t work, it could be a configuration issue that can be resolved using the terminal. You may want to open a terminal and use the command sudo apt install xbacklight to install a tool that helps manage your keyboard backlighting settings, provided your laptop supports it.

      If your hardware is compatible, you might also want to experiment with the echo command in the terminal. For instance, you could try echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/class/leds/smc::kbd_backlight/brightness to turn the backlight on or echo 0 | sudo tee /sys/class/leds/smc::kbd_backlight/brightness to turn it off. If these commands don’t yield results, careful searching through forums specific to your laptop model may yield useful workarounds, as configurations can vary. By familiarizing yourself with a few simple commands and your laptop’s specific requirements, you should be able to get the keyboard backlight functioning without the fear of breaking anything in your system.


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