7 Ways to Fix ASUS Keyboard Backlight Not Working

Struggling with the ASUS keyboard backlight not working? Well, you are not alone! The problem with backlit keyboards is that their lights are the first to give out. Many users experience ASUS keyboard backlight stopped working issues with their devices. The issue is most commonly observed in Asus notebook devices.

There are several reasons for the error on your Asus device. Similarly, there are multiple ways to fix the keyboard light not working. In this post, let us shed light on the problem’s causes and the solutions that can help you resolve it.

Without further ado, let’s begin!

What Causes Asus Keyboard Backlight Malfunctioning

Backlight issues are usually related to the OS’s compatibility with hardware, while sometimes, they are just temporary issues that require a quick reboot.

To give you a better perspective, here’s a list of causes that lead to Asus keyboard backlight not working error on Windows –

• Issues with the hotkeys software and synchronization with the operating system.
• Hardware issues that cause the keyboard backlight to stop working.
• Corrupt/outdated drivers for the keyboard may lead to backlight malfunction.
• The temporary system error that requires an all-service restart.
• The keyboard backlight is not supported in a particular application or software environment.

These casual keyboard connectivity issues often lead to malfunctions in the Asus keyboard backlight. If any of these circumstances appear true at your end, you must stick around, as you may find the fixes in the next section.

How to Fix the Asus Keyboard Backlight Not Working Properly

Fix #1 – Run a Hard Restart

Before you try out anything to fix the issue, restart your PC. Sometimes, there is a configuration issue. All the features cannot load while turning ON a device. Hence it is better to restart the device. You can use the hard restart as well. To do so, simply –

Step 1 – Close all the applications currently open on your device.
Step 2 – Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds straight.
Step 3 – Leave the button when you hear a clunk sound from the device.
Step 4 – Wait for a minute or two and then single-press the power button.
Step 5 – Let the PC initiate all the services. You may see your keyboard backlight running in no time.

Fix #2 – Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter on Windows

You should first try running the keyboard troubleshooter available on your Windows PC. Usually, this troubleshooter identifies and resolves basic hardware and software compatibility issues between the device and your keyboard.

Step 1 – Press the Windows key to bring up the start menu.
Step 2 – In the Start menu, search for Keyboard Troubleshooter.

Step 3 – A search result saying solve problems with the keyboard will appear. Click on it.
Step 4 – This will open the keyboard troubleshooter on your PC.

Step 5 – Simply click next in the troubleshooting wizard and follow the steps shown on the screen

Once you are done troubleshooting the error, restart your PC and check whether the keyboard backlights are working.

Read Also: Fix – ASUS Touchpad Driver Not Working

Fix #3 – Configure HControl and ATK Package

The Hcontrol.exe is a utility tool available on Asus devices. It helps you configure hotkeys as well as the backlights on your keyboard. If your device is not working correctly, invoking Hcontrol.exe can help resolve it.

Here’s how you run it  –

Step 1 – Click on the File Explorer icon from the taskbar.

Step 2 – In the explorer windows, head to the address bar on top and copy and paste the following path –

 C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\ATK Package\ATK Hotkey\Hcontrol.exe

Step 3 – If the path works, you may find the Hcontrol.exe file you can double-click to execute. However, if the file is unavailable, you may be required to search for the application in the start menu. Simply type ATK package or Hcontrol.exe in the start menu.

Step 4 – Once you have executed the Hcontrol.exe file, you can simply press a combination of Fn + F4 on your keyboard to check if the backlight turns on.

Fix #4 – Update Drivers for your Asus Keyboard

If the above fixes could not resolve your keyboard backlight not working issue, the error may lie in the drivers. To update the drivers, you have two options –

1. Use the device manager and the traditional way to look for driver updates.
2. Use Advanced Driver Updater to get all your PC drivers updated in a go.

When you go with the device manager on your device, you have to check for updates manually, and it is impossible to do so now and then. With a dedicated driver updater tool, updating the drivers is easier as you can schedule a scan. This is why we recommend you download Advanced Driver Updater and use it to your advantage.

Here’s how the tool works –

1. Download the tool from the link below.

2. Click on Start Scan Now

3. Check for Outdated Drivers
4. Click on Update All

5. Wait while the Drivers are updated

This will update your Asus keyboard drivers and resolve the backlight not working error once and for all.

Fix #5 – Reset the Power

If Asus keyboard backlight has stopped working after a particular incident related to power cuts or consumption, chances are that the temporary charge in your device has caused it to malfunction. The best solution here is to drain all the existing power and reset the power cycle of your device. Here’s what you need to do –

Step 1 – Shut down and unplug the power supply from your Asus device.
Step 2 – Disconnect the keyboard from the device, or if it is a laptop, simply remove its battery.
Step 3 – Wait 5-10 minutes for all the charge to drain.
Step 4 – Reconnect everything and check if it worked or not.

Several users have shared that the reset did the trick for them. Hence it is worth a try.

Fix #6 – Restore BIOS

Another interesting way to get the backlit keyboard working is by restoring the BIOS configuration of your Asus device. Sometimes, the errors are embedded deep inside the functioning of your PC, which can only be reset using the BIOS configuration. Here are the steps that can help you do the same –

Step 1 – Turn OFF your computer and power it ON again.
Step 2 – Press and hold the F2 key on your keyboard while powering ON.
Step 3 – Hold the F2 key while the device powers ON until you reach the BIOS screen.
Step 4 – On the BIOS screen, press F9 or click on Default.

Step 5 – Select Ok and press Enter to load the BIOS-optimized defaults.

Step 6 – Make changes to the settings and exit using the Save & Exit option.

Step 7 – Save and exit the BIOS settings using the F10 key once the changes have loaded.

Step 8 – When restoring the BIOS settings is completed, the device will restart and enter Windows.

Fix #7 – Check for System File Errors & Restore Them

If the issue is not resolved even after setting the BIOS to default, the error may be in the system files that the device is using. Hence, restoring system files is the best way to eliminate the error.

Check out this detailed guide on system file restoration to get the job done quickly.

These 7 fixes can help you resolve issues related to the Asus keyboard backlight not working on your PC. Try them out if your keyboard has backlight keys and has stopped turning on suddenly. The authenticity of these fixes has been manually checked by thousands of users, including myself, so you do not have to worry about that.

Start troubleshooting your keyboard now!

Read Also: How to Fix ASUS Bluetooth Driver Not Working in Easy Steps