[MacBookPro14,3] Expanded Control Strip Expose, Launchpad and Keyboard Brightness doesn't work

When using the expanded control strip, the 3 buttons dont work Expose, Launchpad and the Keyboard Brightness.

when trying to test using a terminal utility for changing the keyboard brightness, i get this error:

./kbrightness !12180

Failed to connect to AppleLMUController

getKeyboardBrightness() error

0.000000%

Running Version 10.13.2 (17C88)

MacBook Pro (15-in, 2017)

Processor 2.9 i7

Memory 16GB 2133

512 SSD HD