[SOLVED] Keyboard backlight wont turn on

Framework Laptop 16
1

Hello all,
Just received my Framework 16 today!
Everthing is mounted and looks to be operating as normal execpt for the keyboard backlight.

I’ve tried the FN+Spacebar multiple times, but nothing lights up.
The numberpad i’ve connected did have backlight the first time i booted the laptop, however everything i pressed a key on the numberpad the light would go brighter or dimmer.
Now it the backlight on the numberpad also stopped working.

What can i do to fix this?

Also 1 USB devices keeps failing (according to Windows), should i try placing only 1 USB extention at once? I did follow the guide.
Currently im using:
1: USB C
2: SDcardreader
3: USB A
4: USB C
5: HDMI
6: USB A

Thanks for the help!

Best Regards,
Peter

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2

Congrats on getting it! (I’m still waiting, so jealous!)

Have you tried re-seating the keyboard and number-pad? The pogo pins might not be making good contact at the moment.

As for the USB device that’s failing – have you narrowed it down to a specific one?

Not at all sure about this, but if the HDMI card is the one that it’s complaining about, is it in the middle slot on the right? I seem to recall that that one only works in one of the two back slots or in the middle slot on the left.

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3

How could i forget to check that !
Haha i still used to the idea of removable parts on the laptop, i’ve reseated the keyboard in a different position and the light when on! Then changed it back and thay are still working!

Thank you! Hope you’ll get your soon too!

I’ll be back with an update on the ports, i’ve looked at this page for instructions, but i mixed the upside and the downside of the laptop.

Best regards,
Peter

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4

You’re right again, i mixed up the slots…
Little overexcited i guess!
Thanks! This topic can be closed

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5

:laughing: :+1:

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6

Well I have the same issue… however moving the keyboard to other positions doesn’t solve it. I’ve moved it around, but can’t get it to function in any other position that the central one, and always without backlight…
Any other suggestions? Is there a way to turn it on programatically?

7

It doesn’t respond to the lighting control tab on keyboard.frame.work?
You have a white backlight keyboard? What OS are you on?

8

Yeah it does not respond to the lighting control tab. I’m on Fedora 40, and I’m starting to wonder whether this keyboard has a backlight at all, because i’ve never seen it work.

9

On occasion the backlight on my system is inactive, but I have been able to get it going again by running the keyboard.frame.work via page and flipping through the options. I assume that occasionally some sort of gremlin pops up, and via resets it. I would be interested to hear if that makes any difference for you.

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10

Thanks I just needed to know the key combo. Two things surprised me… no keyboard backlight (solved). No touch screen. I just thought they were ubiquitous.

11

I already tried the keyboard.frame.work page, and everything works except for the lighting part.

12

Odd. I would reach out to Support if you have not already done so. Best of luck getting things resolved. and have a great day!

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13

I have the same issue - occasionally my backlight is off, and won’t come back with the fn-Space hotkey. The https://keyboard.frame.work page shows that the backlight option changed from “solid color” (where I usually have it) to “all off.”

14

And now I’ve also had a case like Geert_Schuring described, where the backlight cannot be turned back on using the https://keyboard.frame.work page.

That was last night. The backlight works today. My only guess is that it might have been fixed as a side-effect of hibernating on AC power overnight.

15

What OS?
Have you customized your key layout at all?
If not, then you could do a persistent memory / EEPROM reset & see if that fixes it next time you have the issue. If your key layout isn’t the default, then the reset will clear any changes you’ve made. You could do a layout backup first to save & restore it.

16

I’m using Windows and the keyboard has 0.2.9 firmware.

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ve made backups and will try resetting next time this happens.

I should have mentioned that I also have the RGB macro-pad (also 0.2.9 firmware), and both of them went completely dark yesterday, and both of them work fine today.

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17

I’m also having really inconsistent performance with it. For the longest time it worked fine, and then it was stuck with the backlight off. After messing around on keyboard.frame.work, now it uses the “breathing” light animation and sometimes the keys work and sometimes they don’t.

Using both Windows and Linux, and I’m using the latest available drivers, so I’ve been able to rule out an OS issue. At the point of asking for a replacement keypad, but just earlier today, the Fn key stopped working too, so I’m not sure what’s up anymore.

18

Did you try a persistent memory / EEPROM reset?
The Fn key not working should have nothing to do with your OS or any driver at all. Fn is handled entirely within the keyboard firmware. The OS isn’t even aware of Fn status.