Keyboard Backlight (goofy)

Just noticed my mbp keyboard backlighting is flashing on and off independently. It's not a flicker, the light will turn off for a few seconds or maybe a minute, then turning on for a few seconds then off again. The lights will continue to do this until it goes to sleep or when I begin to type the backlights are steady.
I installed lab tick to adjust t he backlighting and other properties but that hadn't resolved it, I also cycled the mbp and wonder if maybe the last update could have caused this issue?

EDIT: I see you have a 5,5. That's a different procedure. Hang on a minute.
mbp boots after I release? Perhaps I'm missing a step?
Yes, it's a different procedure for Macs with built-in batts.
• Shut down the computer.
• Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
• On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
• Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
Press the power button to turn on the computer. Note: The LED on the MagSafe power adapter does not change states or temporarily turn-off when you reset the SMC.
Message was edited by: tjk

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What is the Keyboard Backlight attached to?

Hey there.
A while back I spilled some milk on my macbook pro 15" old model (NOT the unibody) keyboard and although I finally got the sticky keys issue sorted out (I spent a good 5-6 hours on my day off taking off all the keys and cleaning them, and then putting them back), the backlight of the keyboard doesn't illuminate the entire keyboard anymore.
I went to my local Apple store's genius bar and they told me that by replacing the keyboard (for a mere $150 USD), I would also be fixing the backlight. I took my macbook pro to my local MacTek, however, to compare what they would quote me for replacing the keyboard, but THEY said that in order to replace the LED light I'd have to replace the top case, and the keyboard alone wouldn't do it.
Then I take it back to the Apple store (MacTek was more expensive due to their having to order parts) and ask them about it and this time they tell me that I WOULD have to replace the top case to fix the LED, which would cost $300+. Obviously not worth it just to fix the backlight when nothing else about the top case is visibly wrong.
Then I get a little curious when I get home and do a google search for the makeup of the keyboard and find a site with pictures that show the LED IS actually part of the keyboard O_O I dunno what to believe here.
Assuming my goal is to fix the LED keyboard backlight, just what is it that I'd have to replace?

Thanks, that's exactly what I needed to know.
I'd click "solved" for your post but actually I have one more question. I took the MBP to a certified repair shop, and they order a keyboard from apple. Last week (7 days ago) they said they received the new keyboard and were replacing the old one now.
Then, an hour or two later, they called me back and told me that they think Apple sent them a defective keyboard, because now for some reason my computer "won't turn on." O_O
So I called them today and the guy just said he's waiting on the second replacement keyboard. My question is, can that realistically happen? That is, a bad keyboard causing the entire system not to be able to turn on?
(good thing I backed up before taking it to get repaired, eh..?)

MacBook Pro keyboard backlight not switching off

I recently bought a 13" MacBook Pro (2012, 2.9GHz i7) and it came with Mountain Lion preinstalled. The keyboard backlight isn't behaving as I had expected: when the "Adjust keyboard brightness in low light" option is checked, it does indeed adjust the brightness of the backlight when ambient light levels change. However even when the ambient light is VERY bright (desk lamp shining down) the backlight doesn't switch off; instead it just goes to full brightness. I understand that the backlight usually dims in dark conditions to save battery, but why would it go bright when the keyboard is fully visible without a backlight? Is there a way to make the keyboard backlight go off when there is plenty of background light and come on when the environment is dark?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Auto brightness operation usually works in the way yours is working. It is dimmer in very low light and progressively gets brighter as the ambient light increases. There are cases where this is actually helpful as in wierd backlighting situations.
You can override in the System Settings and from the keyboard "function" keys. I'm not at my MBP right now, but I think the keyboard backlighting controls are somewhere near F5 and F6.

MacBook Pro Mid 2010 13", Lion 10.7.2, keyboard backlight / ALS not working

Since upgrading to Mac OS X Lion I have had problems with keyboard backlight and the ambient light sensor. I realized that the problem seems to be caused by ambient light sensor or hardware detection issues. LCD is not auto-dimming with light intensity variation. Since then I've done a Snow Leopard clean install and upgraded to Lion with no success. Then I have done clean installs of Lion using USB Keys with versions 10.7.0, 10.7.1 and 10.7.2 and the problem persists. Under Snow Leopard everything works like a charm.
SMC and PRAM reset did not solve the problem.
When I press F5 and F6 to adjust the backlight nothing comes up on the screen.
No settings under Keyboard menu.
Any ideas on how to solve this?

Max,
I have the same model MacBook Pro as you. Have you tried erasing your internal disk, reïnstalling Snow Leopard from your grey Mac OS X Install DVD, and running Software Update to get it to 10.6.8, to see if it also misbehaves under Snow Leopard?

Problem with Macbook Pro early 2011, webcam not working in any apps and windows 7 or 8 on bootcamp, keyboard backlight not working?

Hi Guys
I recently bought a second hand early 2011 Macbook Pro 15 inch and are having 2 problems. The first is that none of the apps detects my webcam at all, the second is, i have Windows 8 installed on bootcamp but are unable to get the keyboard backlight to work in 7 or 8. The backlight works perfect in os x 10.8.5 though. I need a little bit of help guys.....

Go to Apple Menu / About This Mac. Click on More Info ... next on System Report. In the left hand column, under Hardware, select USB. The right side will show the USB Device Tree. Look through that and check for "Built-in iSight". That is your camera. If it is not listed the camera is not working.
For backlighting, try this: go to System Preferences / Keyboard. Uncheck "Adjust keyboard lighting in low light".

MacBook Pro (mid-2010) keyboard backlight lags after 10.6.8 combo update

I'm one of those who take the extra time to perform major updates on my MacBook Pro very carefully. I always perform all the permissions and disk check/repairs, typically running something tried-and-true like AppleJack. I then always use the combined updater as opposed to the delta, fully downloading and applying it in Safe User Mode. So, I never run into the typical problems. That said...
Is anyone who has otherwise had a successful update to 10.6.8 on a MacBook Pro with keyboard backlighting experienced a sudden lag-time with the backlight coming on when touching the touchpad or pressing a key?
There is a definitely perceptible 1-second-ish lag I'm experiencing and I'm hoping it will be corrected quickly with either a firmware fix or an update.

Same here, although I have a MBP mid-2009.
The 1-2s lag is VERY annoying if you've gotten used to the old instantaneous light-up with previous SL.
I've fired off a bug report to Apple - here's hoping they don't just bury their head in the sand and release a fix quickly (I also hope they don't have the same bug in Lion as well, I'll be getting that soon)...

Bluetooth, iSight and Keyboard Backlight not working. Please help!

My Bluetooth stopped working along with my iSight and Keyboard Backlight. I first noticed the weird sign over the bluetooth icon, and it read "Bluetooth not available". I payed no attention to it for a while until I tried to take a picture with Photo Booth and I read "No camera found", for some reason I tried to dim the backlight on the keyboard and a blocked sign appeared under the brightness level, not letting me do anything (Later I was able to use the backlight with the LabTick app). I have tried everything. SMC, PRAM, NVRAM, logging as diferent and new users, booting in safe mode... every solution I have found on the internet has been tested by me. Then I read this about the Hardware Test solution, and surprisingly after performing the Hardware Test no problems were found! So basically my MacBook Pro (mid 2010) is not having any trouble of any sorts with anything. Then why can't I use Bluetooth, iSight or Key backlighting (which only works through LabTick). Given the fact that the hardware test shows no problems I am not comfortable with the idea of taking it to repair. There MUST be something I can actually do to fix these issues.
Does anybody have any idea? I repeat, these are NOT WORKING, NOT FOUND AND NOT AVAILABLE.
- Keyboard Backlight (Only works through LabTick)
- iSight Camera (Not found by any software)
- Bluetooth (No info appears on the system profile, the icon on the menu bar is completely gone)
All three issues happened at the same time, the night before everything was working perfectly fine.
If anyone could help... please!!!
Summary:
MacBook Pro Mid 2010 (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP583) Unibody, can't take out the battery.
Solutions tried:
- Reset SMC: Turning on while holding Shift + Ctrl + Option + Power Button (This makes my MacBook forget about the battery and start up with really loud fan noise, battery icon appears with an X on it, keyboard backlight buttons work, they show brightness level on screen, but the actual light won't work, no bluetooth, no isight)
-Reset PRAM and NVRAM: Turning on while holding Option + CMD + R + P (I have waited for 2 chimes, 3 chimes and 4 chimes at different times, nothing happens. Light, bluetooth and isight are still gone)
-Holding Power Button for 10 seconds, 20 seconds, longer... nothing changes.
-Creating and logging in as new admin user, nothing changes.
-Deleting the bluetooth.plist file and powering off and on again, also rebooting
-Deleting the SystemConfiguration folder, powering off and on again, also rebooting
-Installing "blueutil", didn't help at all, turned it off via terminal with command blueutil off.
-Performing Apple Hardware Test - Shows no erros or problems on any area after one full hour of testing (Performed the extended testing)
-Leaving it powered off overnight
Please anyone help meee!! I can't afford going crazy!
Thank you so much in advance!
Alvarock.

****UPDATE***
Hi guys i got across this forum after searching for bluetooth, front camera and the most ANNOYING no lost keyboard backligth.
After run all the test, procedures, tweeks and, and everything i remenbered that once i sent my MBP to repair at you bring i break, turns out that the little ribbon flex connector coming from the mother board ( from the rigth to left) was loose since the adhesive wich they used shrink do temp changes, anyhow y popped out the glas and found the flex cable totally sticked to the glass pulling out of the pcb board connector, reinstalled it smoothly and that FIXED the camera, bluetooth and keyboard backlight!..
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Macbook Pro (10.6.8) keyboard backlight wont turn on

I was reading some articles to try and fix it myself but I noticed a lot of people have problems with their keyboard backlight because they have the box located in
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I got my macbook in 2008, 2009 so it's a slightly older version. I need help fixiing my keyboard!
It hasnt worked for awhile now but I just never noticed it.
It never turns on when it's dark either.
When I cover the camera lens the display dims so it pretty much works
The only thing I noticed that no one talked about was that when I press FN + F5 or F6, I hear that sound that indicates you can't use that option. but when I try with the FN + f1 or f2, it works just fine.

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM

Macbook Pro 17inch late 2011 keyboard backlight not working

Recently near the end of sum me 2014 I only noticed the backlight keyboard not working at all. I have done the following to try and rectify;
1. Reset SMC
2. Rest NVRAM
3. Disconnected battery and the above
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with all outcomes proving nil. Pressing Fn + F5 or F6 does show the brightness either increasing or decreasing but with no light. I then opened her up and disconnected a cable that was to the LHS of the RAM boards but this only powers the White Sleep LED and not the backlight keyboard on this 17inch model. My next step is to remove the mother board and find the actual cable that does power the backlight LEDs and ensure that it is connected. Similarly around the same time I noticed this with the backlights the fans were running fast. However the weather has gotten cooler and the mbp is not running fans as it was when it was in the warmer months.
Do I have to remove the motherboard and actually make sure that the connector for the backlights hasn't been dislodged?
Anyone out there with a 17inch mbp late 2011 that has had this problem please help.
keyboard-backlight-less
2.5Ghz Intel Core i7
8GB Ram
OSX 10.7.5
SMC Veresion 1.70f5

Thanks Ogelthorpe, I found an excellent video (not in english but it didnt matter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HNAGodYMNA .
What I found was that the keyboard backlight is intergrated into the black plastic cover that is between the motherboard and the back of the keys/LEDS and its all one piece back to the connector that connects to the motherboard under the LHS fan. I need more details to find out if the LEDS are controlled by a chip or what, but it seems to me that I need to visit an apple store/repairer, however this will be really difficult for me as Im in an isolated location. If there are further tests that I can conduct on my own, I would be grateful. Even if there are tests that Apple themselves conduct to find out what the problem is
Peter

HP Pavilion 15-p159na - Where is the keyboard backlight setting to switch this on?

Can someone please tell me where to locate the keyboard backlight setting for the Pavilion 15-p159na laptop. I want to turn the backlights on but cannot locate this setting anywhere. Thanks.
This question was solved.
View Solution.

There isn't a setting. On the keyboard of a notebook that has this feature it is on the F5 key. It is the lit key in the following image from the keyboard of my current HP Product loan. It is the enable\disable backlight key.
****Please click on Accept As Solution if a suggestion solves your problem. It helps others facing the same problem to find a solution easily****
2015 Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience Consumer

My macbook pro keyboard backlight won't turn off, even after pressing F5

my macbook pro keyboard backlight won't turn off, even after pressing F5

Try resetting the SMC http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

...Another Spill. MBP Keyboard Backlight/trackpad problem

Hello,
A friend (yes he remains a friend) recently spilled red wine all over my new Macbook Pro. I was very upset at first, but have calmed down... after several weeks. I've dried it out and I'm taking it to Apple to get it cleaned.
The only clear problems that exist at the moment: the keyboard is not illuminating fully, it is only bright in the middle; the tap-to-click feature on the trackpad has a one-second delay before any command is registered.
The problem with the keyboard backlight, i think, is due to wine staining the sheet of plastic separating the keyboard from the LEDs behind it. Could anyone suggest a means of cleaning this or any other method of reviving the backlight, IF they have not short-circuited.
Any suggestions other than getting Apple to help with the unresponsive trackpad?
Thanks
Jamie

What I was trying to communicate when I added "which will also include the trackpad" to a previous post was that the top case, the keyboard, the trackpad and various other internal parts that are attached to the inside of the top case will ALL be replaced when Apple repairs the machine, because Apple considers the whole assembly to be one part. Cleaning the keyboard effectively is impossible, but it would be pointless even if it were possible, because Apple is just going to discard or recycle it. When Apple repairs a machine, it comes back in virtual like-new condition — there are no partial repairs. You may prefer not to spring for a complete overhaul, but that's what you're going to get — and pay for — regardless.

Keyboard backlight

After the initial trauma of a beer spill, that happened to land all over my MBP keyboard, I have realised that it still functions perfectly. The wine hasn't managed to get through to the inner workings or hardware of my mac and the only casualty seems to be the keyboard backlight. Although it seems that the backlight is still working the beer has stained the film that separates the keyboard from the internal hardware. The result: a few keys light up properly and the rest are incredibly dim.
I realise that it'd be near impossible to repair this problem myself and I have come to understand that I will most likely have to have the top case replaced. Does anyone have any advice or any hint as to what the cost may be to fix my keyboard?

BtrLuckNxTime wrote:
I did the "hold both up/down volume buttons for 5 secs" and the device rebooted!!
Great, @BtrLuckNxTime it normally takes about 10-12 seconds.
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Keyboard Backlight (goofy)

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