Keyboard lighting: how does it really work?

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Level 1

90 points

Keyboard lighting: how does it really work?

Hello.

I'm a proud owner of a late 2014 MacBook Air.

Since this is my first 'recent generation' Mac, I'm still a bit confused on how the keyboard lights work.

I now the MBAir has a light sensor (where is it located?), and I'm aware of the keyboard keys that allow me to make it stronger or to turn it off... but how does the senior work?! Sometimes, when my lights are on and making a strong light, the keyboard doesn't automatically turn of...

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you for any information you may provide me.

All the best.

P.S. When I bought my Mac, last week, it had come with OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 installed. It currently has OS X Yosemite 10.10.

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Oct 23, 2014 9:31 AM

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Answer 1

Axeman1020

Level 6

15,132 points

Oct 23, 2014 9:35 AM in response to JMPC

The ambient light sensor is located directly next to the iSight camera at the top of the display.

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Answer 2

JMPC Author

Level 1

90 points

Oct 23, 2014 9:44 AM in response to Axeman1020

Thank you.

Still... exactly how to make it work automatically?

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Answer 3

ckuan

Level 10

120,932 points

Oct 23, 2014 9:50 AM in response to JMPC

Read here:

Portables: Adjusting the keyboard backlight

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Answer 4

Axeman1020

Level 6

15,132 points

Oct 23, 2014 9:53 AM in response to JMPC

Check the Automatically illuminate keyboard in low light checkbox here:
System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard

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Answer 5

JMPC Author

Level 1

90 points

Oct 23, 2014 10:04 AM in response to ckuan

This is actually very helpful.

BUT, here's the thing: when I do the cover the sensor thing, to test it, it happens the opposite!

Instead of making the keyboard light stronger, putting my Mac on a place with less light, makes the keyboard light weaker! When I turn the room's light on, the keyboard light gets stronger!

Should it happen like this?! :-/

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Answer 6

JMPC Author

Level 1

90 points

Oct 23, 2014 10:06 AM in response to Axeman1020

Thank. It's done, BUT, when I put my Mac on a room with strong natural/artificial light, the keyboard's light gets stronger. When I turn the room's light off, the keyboard's light gets weaker... shouldn't it be the opposite? The less room light the stronger the keyboard's light gets?!

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Answer 7

ckuan

Level 10

120,932 points

Oct 23, 2014 10:09 AM in response to JMPC

JMPC wrote:

Thank. It's done, BUT, when I put my Mac on a room with strong natural/artificial light, the keyboard's light gets stronger. When I turn the room's light off, the keyboard's light gets weaker... shouldn't it be the opposite? The less room light the stronger the keyboard's light gets?!

No, when in a dark room you do not need such a big contrast.

It's not supposed to light up the room.😝

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