Backlight Keyboard won't light up...

Question

Level 1

2 points

Backlight Keyboard won't light up...

My backlight keyboard won't light up. I don't think the lighting is damaged at all, i didn't spill anything.. but when i press on the F6 button to light it up, it shows the thing on the screen but the white bars won't fill up and apparently it can't light up. I didn't do anything to any settings, so what is the problem?? Can anyone tell me?
Thanks

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.5), 15-inch model

Posted on Sep 28, 2008 7:17 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Sep 28, 2008 7:43 AM in response to iPiano

System Preferences>Keyboard & Mouse>Keyboard. Make sure the appropriate box is checked.

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Answer 2

iPiano Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 28, 2008 7:45 AM in response to sig

yes, i've tried pretty much everything i know. i don't know why it is keeping me from lighting it up...

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Answer 3

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Sep 28, 2008 8:01 AM in response to iPiano

Try to toggle the checked box off and then on.

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Answer 4

iPiano Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 28, 2008 8:07 AM in response to sig

yes i've tried everything. It shows this sign right under the brightness bars (which are empty) http://images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com/image/A1386/138625/300_138625.jpg

Something must be wrong with the setting or w/e but see, I've tried everything with the setting, i've looked into everything and i've tried resetting SMC and then PRAM but it just won't work!! 😟
not that i use backlight much, but it's obvious that there's something wrong with this machine so im a little worried...

could it be caused by any software i've installed? although i don't see how that's possible since none of them have anything to do with my keyboard...

someone please save my backlight!!!

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Answer 5

Oct 6, 2008 10:47 AM in response to iPiano

I highly doubt that software could do this.

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Answer 6

Oct 10, 2008 3:27 PM in response to iPiano

you know i have the same problem and i can't get it back either.
i was messing around with some hot keys when mine stopped lighting up lol.
i think some how we accidently locked the keys or something... i'm try to search for some answers to cuz i LOVED my backlighting u_u if you find an answer let me know.
visa versa.

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Answer 7

Oct 16, 2008 4:23 PM in response to radiogalaxy

My backlight stopped work too. This happened after update to 10.5.5 and security path. My wifw also hass a macbook (brand new) she is having the same problem.

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Answer 8

Oct 16, 2008 5:43 PM in response to Carlos Quintella

i've recently fixed the problem..
i toggled settings and put them back to default ( the keyboard ones) and i put it in the dark and all the sudden the backlight came back. i was happy! and then i pushed the backlight key on my keyboard and it allowed me to brighten and dim it.

so i'm not to sure what EXACTLY fixed it but it worked!
so maybe you could try doing that.

kind of vague, but who knows.
i hope this helps someone.
cuz i know how much i like to brag about my keyboard backlight =]

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Answer 9

iPiano Author

Level 1

2 points

Oct 16, 2008 8:43 PM in response to iPiano

thanks everyone, i fixed the problem!!
well.. actually it got fixed by itself... i dont know what the problem was, but i had the problem one more time when i was on battery power. i think it has something to do with the power.. whether it's on battery power or AC. Thank you

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Answer 10

Oct 30, 2008 12:47 PM in response to iPiano

Having the exact same problem here. Getting the crossed out circle.
Tried doing the Mac OS Software Update, but still the same after update and reboot.
The keyboard lights up when I use the "Lab Tick" software, but one shouldn't have to uninstall 3rd party software to fix an OS/HW bug.
***?

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Answer 11

Nov 2, 2008 10:02 PM in response to iPiano

ok, so i was having this same problem. but i was messing around with the buttons, and i figured out that if you toggle the F1 and F2 buttons while toggling the keyboard lighting buttons, it will light up.
i was getting the same exact things. I know this is definitely a solution because i did it, and it worked, and 5 mins later, my keyboard lighting buttons didn't work, so i did it again and it worked.

just toggle the screen brightness and keyboard lighting and VIOLA 😀

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Answer 12

Nov 5, 2008 2:14 PM in response to yotitosan

my mbp keyboard is doing the same thing--one day it will be fine, then a different day it works. so far none of the tips have worked for me.

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Answer 13

Nov 11, 2008 11:25 AM in response to jaimecham

Just to follow up, what was wrong with the previous one was that the built-in camera wasn't working so that they keyboard algorithm read that as "it's too bright" and refused to turn on the keyboard lighting. The USB controller was actually bad, i think as there was no Bluetooth receiver detected on the USB tree. Got a replacement and new machine works great.

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Answer 14

Nov 27, 2008 11:00 AM in response to MacBookJunior

I have exactly the same problem. I was using the camera this morning and thats when it started. This must be a bug.

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Answer 15

Jan 31, 2009 9:39 AM in response to kjchipmunk

Same problem here - 2.4 Mac Book - brand new and yet I cannot amend the keyboard lighting with the f5/6 keys or system preferences 😟

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