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Asked: 2024-09-25T03:15:49+05:30 In: , ,

How can I turn off the backlight on my MX Keys wireless keyboard while using Ubuntu?

I’ve been having a bit of a dilemma with my Logitech MX Keys wireless keyboard since I switched to Ubuntu recently. I’m loving the overall experience, but there’s one thing that’s really bugging me: the backlight. I mean, it looks nice and all, but there are times when I don’t need it at all, especially during the day when there’s good lighting.

I’ve tried a few different things, like looking through the settings in Ubuntu and the Logitech Options software, but nothing seems to work to turn off the backlight completely. The keyboard does have that smart backlighting feature, which detects when I’m using it and turns the backlight on and off automatically, but I find it a bit distracting sometimes. Not to mention, I want to save as much battery as I can!

I even took a deep dive into the keyboard’s manual, hoping there would be some hotkey or combination to disable it, but I couldn’t find anything. I know that on some systems, there are shortcuts to adjust the backlight brightness, but for some reason, they don’t seem to work on Ubuntu for me. It’s frustrating!

So I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has dealt with this. Are there hidden settings or perhaps terminal commands that I’m missing? I tried searching online, but most discussions seem to revolve around Windows or macOS setups. Is there a way to manually configure the keyboard settings only for Ubuntu? Or do I need to look into any specific drivers or software that might help?

If anyone has a solution or workaround, I’d really appreciate it. I just want to focus on my work without the keyboard lights blaring in my face, and a little help would go a long way. Thanks!

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    2 Answers

    1. Managing the backlight function of your Logitech MX Keys keyboard under Ubuntu can indeed be a challenge, especially when you’re looking for a more streamlined experience. First, it’s essential to confirm whether your system recognizes the keyboard’s backlight features properly. While the Logitech Options software may not be directly available on Linux, consider using the `solaar` application, which provides a user-friendly interface for managing Logitech’s Unifying Receiver devices. You can install it using the terminal with the command `sudo apt install solaar`. This tool allows you to tweak a variety of settings, and you might find options to adjust the backlight behavior, including turning it off completely.

      If `solaar` does not resolve the issue, you can delve into the terminal to manage USB input devices more directly. The command `xset`, which is commonly used for managing X11 screens, might be of use here. While it traditionally adjusts screen settings, you can explore the potential of using it alongside keyboard customization tools like `xinput`. Check if your keyboard appears as an input device with `xinput list`, then you can adjust properties associated with its inputs. Unfortunately, Ubuntu may not expose all settings available in firmware found in Windows or macOS, so exploring forums or community repositories for additional keyboard configurations specific to Linux might yield useful scripts or commands that can help you toggle the backlight function more reliably.






    2. Logitech MX Keys Backlight Issue on Ubuntu

      Help with MX Keys Backlight on Ubuntu

      Hey! I totally get your dilemma. That backlight feature can be super annoying sometimes, especially when you’re trying to work in good lighting. I’ve been there too! Here are a few things you can try to get that backlight to chill out:

      1. Keyboard Shortcuts

      First off, even though you mentioned the shortcuts aren’t working, it’s worth trying the default backlight toggles again. Sometimes they’re a bit finicky. On some devices, you can use Fn + F5 or Fn + F6 to adjust brightness or turn it off, but it depends on your keyboard layout.

      2. Check System Settings

      Go into your system settings. Look for the keyboard settings and find anything related to backlight or lighting settings. Sometimes there are hidden gems in here.

      3. Tweak with Terminal

      Since you’re on Ubuntu, you might also want to play around with the terminal. You could try installing solaar, which is a Linux device manager for Logitech’s Unifying Receiver. Run this command to install it:

      sudo apt install solaar

      After that, launch it and see if it offers any backlight control options.

      4. Dconf Editor

      You can try using dconf-editor to access all sorts of hidden settings. It’s not guaranteed, but it might have controls over keyboard backlighting. Install it with:

      sudo apt install dconf-editor

      Then, search through for any relevant settings related to input devices or keyboards.

      5. Check for Software Updates

      Lastly, just make sure your Ubuntu and packages are all up to date. Sometimes driver updates or patches will solve these annoying little bugs.

      If none of this works, you might be stuck with the backlight until Logitech decides to throw us Linux users a bone. But don’t get discouraged! Keep searching forums, and maybe drop a line in some Linux-specific groups. You never know what solutions people might have found!

      Good luck, and hopefully, that backlight gets turned off soon!


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