If you own a MacBook, you may have noticed that the keyboard has a backlight feature that allows you to type in low light conditions. However, there may be times when you try to use this feature and find that your keyboard is not lighting up. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on your MacBook for work or school. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons why your MacBook keyboard is not lighting up and how to fix it.
Check the Keyboard Brightness
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The first thing to check is the keyboard brightness. Your MacBook keyboard has three levels of brightness: low, medium, and high. If your keyboard is not lighting up, it may be because the brightness is set to low or turned off completely. To adjust the brightness, press the F5 key to increase the brightness or the F6 key to decrease it. If the brightness is set to the highest level and your keyboard is still not lighting up, move on to the next step.
Check the Ambient Light Sensor
Your MacBook has an ambient light sensor that adjusts the keyboard brightness based on the lighting conditions in the room. If the sensor is not working properly, it may cause your keyboard to not light up. To check if this is the issue, cover the sensor located next to the FaceTime camera at the top of your MacBook’s screen. If your keyboard lights up, then the ambient light sensor is the problem. You can disable this feature by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > and unchecking the box next to “Adjust keyboard brightness in low light.”
Check the Keyboard Settings
Another reason why your MacBook keyboard may not be lighting up is because the backlit keyboard feature is turned off in the settings. To check this, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > and make sure the box next to “Illuminate keyboard in low light” is checked. If it is already checked, try unchecking and rechecking the box to see if that solves the issue.
Check for Updates
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Sometimes, a software update can cause issues with your MacBook’s keyboard lighting. To check for updates, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update. If there are any updates available, make sure to install them and then restart your MacBook to see if the issue is resolved.
Reset the SMC
If none of the above solutions work, you may need to reset the System Management Controller (SMC). This is a process that resets the hardware settings on your MacBook and can often fix issues with the keyboard lighting. To reset the SMC, shut down your MacBook and then press and hold the Shift + Control + Option keys on the left side of the keyboard, along with the power button. Release all keys at the same time and then turn on your MacBook as usual.
By following these steps, you should be able to fix the issue of your MacBook keyboard not lighting up. If the problem persists, it may be a hardware issue and you should contact Apple support for further assistance. Remember to always keep your MacBook and its software up to date to avoid any potential issues with your keyboard lighting.
