MBA 11" backlit keyboard no longer lighting automatically

The backlit keyboard on my MBA 11" is no longer responding to the "automatically illuminate keyboard in low light" option in System Preferences. I can control the backlights manually with F5 and F6, but they don't come on automatically in the dark (easily testing by covering the camera).
Originally, the F keys would even be completely inactive, with a line appearing across the on-screen brightness display to say the control was on automatic, but that doesn't happen any more.
I have reset the SMC, but that has changed nothing. The automatic brightness control on the display works fine.

I am replying to my own post, as I don't see a way to edit it.
While researching this issue further, I found a "work-around" from a user called Golden Shoes - where the creation of a .css file is decribed in expert, easy to follow detail.  This worked perfectly, and I have since infected my other toys with this fix for Safari zoom levels...

Similar Messages

  • Backlit keyboard no longer working.

    I just recently upgraded my 2010 macbook pro RAM. I went from 4gb to 6gb and now my backlit keyboard is no longer working. I have tried messing with the keyboard settings as well as the F5 and F6 buttons. The keyboard does not even come on in low lit conditions. Why is my backlit keyboard no longer working?

    Hi...
    Try Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
    If that doesn't help, try Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

  • Backlit keyboard won't light up after recent lion update!

    I just updated Lion today and now my backlit keys wont light up anymore. When i use the f5 / f6 keys a phrobited sign shows on my screen.
    Does anyone know anything about this??
    Many thanks in advance!
    Kaato.

    That sign means that the ambient light sensor detected enough light for you to see the keyboard on your own. Try a dark room or cover the webcam are with your hand it should light up on it's own or allow you to turn it on by pressing the keys.

  • Keyboard no longer lights on Macbook Pro

    It was working fine, but now it just doesn't light at all.  I checked System Preferences but there was nothing for keyboard lights.  Is this a sign of a bigger issue?

       Backup your computer.
        Reinstall OS X Yosemite.
        http://support.apple.com/kb/PH18872?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
        Best.

  • Apple store replaced logic board backlit keys no longer work

    So about a week ago I had to have the logic board replaced because airport would connect only half the time. The apple store did fix the problem, but only one more thing, the backlit keyboard no longer is recongnized, its like the employees didnt plug it back up, my main question is is that I have to have the laptop for school, how long would it take the apple store to fix or if its simple could I fix myself.

    I would make another genius bar appointment, they could do it while you wait in the store. I understand this is the preferred policy now at the genius bar to prevent them from taking in all sorts of machines. If they are busy they will have to make the repair after hours when the store closes. They will usually quote something like 1-3 business days but in my experience it has usually been 1-2 days.

  • My keyboard does not light up

    Any ideas of why my keyboard no longer lights up. Today I did have the power port changed.

    try :
    Settings -> Keyboard -> "adjust keyboard brightness in low light"

  • HT4882 Apple Support Update: No longer an option to Automatically illuminate keyboard in low light.

    This Apple Support page appears to be outdated:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4882
    My Mid 2012 MacBook Pro has no option to Automatically illuminate keyboard in low light. 
    The option now offered, Adjust keyboard brightness in low light, does not enable the keyboard backlight to be completely turned off. 
    The ability to completely turn off keyboard backlighting should be an option, Apple -- get on it, please. Every little bit of energy which users can opt to save will extend charge duration and battery life, and thus should be provided.
    Also, in certain situations, I want less light, and the light from the keyboard is at those times a cause of light pollution and distraction. 
    Message was edited by: AdamsFruit to include image.

    I've found an answer to my question about how to turn off the keyboard backlighting on the mid 2012 MacBook Pro 13":
    The F5 function key's primary function is as the Keyboard Backlight Dimmer, and can dim keyboard backlighting all the way to nothing.  (F6 is Keyboard Backlight Brightener).
    Nonetheless, This Apple Support page is still incorrect:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4882

  • My keyboard is no longer lighting up on my macbook pro...does anyone know how to fix this issue manually?

    My backlight on my macbook pro unibody is not working. The lights do not come on. Does anyone know how to fix this manually? Im also missing screes to the back of my computer holding it in shape. My battery needs to be replaced as well. How do i do all of this? Id also like to replace my RAM.

    For the keyboard backlight:
    Have you tried pressing the "lights on" F-key, that has like a half-round rays of light over a bar symbol (currently F6 on my Mac, but may be different on other models)? If it doesn't work, does anything show on the screen?
    If a crossed-out symbol pops up onscreen when you press the F-key, that means that automatic keyboard lighting is enabled and the Mac thinks surroundings are too bright already. Go to System Preferences / Keyboard and uncheck the "Automatically illuminate keyboard..." item, then try again.
    For the screws:
    Visit www.powerbookmedic.com or www.ifixit.com and see in their Mac parts section for a replacement screw set. You will need to know your Mac's model, printed on the bottom lid, to ensure you get the correct parts for that particular computer.
    For the RAM:
    While in either of the two places I mentioned above, visit their How-To / DIY section for instructions on how to replace RAM on your Mac. Then visit www.crucial.com, www.corsair.com, www.kingston.com, www.otherworldcomputing.com or any other RAM maker, use their RAM advisor together with your Mac's model to select the correct RAM upgrade kit for your Mac.

  • The Illuminated lights on my keyboard no longer work

    I just noticed last night that my Mac Book Pro's Illuminated keyboard lights no longer work. They used to work without any problems but now they don't. I don't use this feature often, so I don't know how long the problem has been occuring. I only just noticed it last night.
    I tried resetting the PRAM and the power management, to no avail. The "Illuminate keyboard in low-light settings" button is checked in system preferences.
    The strange thing is, I can press the keyboard light controllers on the keyboard and the indicator of the light level appears on the screen, but the lights don't actually come on.
    The ambient light settings for the display are working fine. I don't understand what's going on with the keyboard lights. It's very irritant.
    My Macbook Pro is one of June 2007's models, the Santa Rosa 15", 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. It came with Tiger and I upgraded to Leopard in December. Last week I upgraded to 10.5.3. Thanks in advance for any help!

    Yes, as I said in my first post, that box is toggled. It still doesn't work. I've tried turning it off and back on and it still doesn't work.
    I haven't even had this computer for a year yet already it's breaking down. 3 months after I bought I had to have the LED replaced because it was defective, and now this.
    Why is this professional laptop that costs as much as it does breaking down after barely a year? I never had these problems with my IBM ThinkPad laptop. I only needed to take it in for support after 4 years of solid performance.
    I don't expect to see these problems in a supposedly professional computer that is barely a year old.
    Oh well.
    Message was edited by: orbit82
    null

  • Windows keyboard lights automatically on

    So I have an interesting question, which is that when using windows with boot camp, boot camp sets the backlit keyboard brightness to max upon every restart. I rarely ever use the keyboard light, and find it distracting, so it's turned off in Mac. Is there a way to not be forced to manually turn this off every time? Maybe a setting in boot camp, or in windows.

    Do you have the Ambient Light Sensor entry in your Device Manager?
    What year/model is your Mac?

  • Keyboard Keys not working / Backlit Keyboard Not Lighting Up

    Hi,
    I purchased my macbook pro in February of 09. Recently I have come to realize that the following keys: (alt key, left shift key, and control key) have stopped working and the right half of my keyboard has stopped lighting up when the lights go dim. What can I do to fix it and will it cost me if I'm under warranty.
    Thanks Apple Community!
    Cheers,

    you just need to do a SMC (systems management reset) and all will be good again. i had the same issue after i installed snow leopard
    1. shut down your MacBookPro and unplug everything attached but your power source
    2. press down "shift" + "control" + "option" + "power button" for 2-3 seconds and release
    3. nothing should have happened (macbook remains off)
    4. power it up in normal fashion
    that should do it....my beautiful backlit gem-like keyboard was all better!

  • Keyboard No Longer Illuminates in Low Light Conditions

    Hi there,
    Tonight I turned on my MacBook Pro (purchased January 2008). The keyboard doesn't light up at all. I recently installed 10.5.7 and I'm not sure if it's worked since that install. I've checked the keyboard and also display preferences. Everything looks fine there.
    Any ideas on how to remedy the situation? One thing I did notice was that when I depress F6 a green light illuminates behind that key. Is this normal? The display dimming is working properly, only the keyboard is not lighting up as it should.
    Tips, guidance, etc. much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
    Lynn

    Hi again,
    An update. After I posted my initial message last night I checked to see if my iSight camera was working. I opened up PhotoBooth and all looked fine. I closed PhotoBooth. My keyboard illuminated. It's been fine since then, including the latest Mac updates installed after my post last night, the firmware update also no problem. Keyboard still looking good. However, I still have this green light that shows up when F6 is depressed. Odd that. Now, I will say that when trying to go to the Support area on Apple tonight the keyboard lighting went off until I closed Safari (3.2.3, 5525.28.3). When re-opened it was again normal with the background lighting returned.
    Any ideas on the green light? Is it part of a problem that needs to be looked at? Also, the lighting hadn't changed when Safari was being used when the lighting went off. Any ideas on what's happening there as well?
    Thanks once again for any input. Much appreciated.
    Lynn

  • Dim Backlit Keyboard HP Pavilion DV6t-7000

    The backlit keyboard went dim after having it on for a few hours while working on some projects. I can only see the light if I look underneath the keys.  I have had the lights on for long times before it when dim. I have looked on these forums for any information happening before and found one that mention a proximity sensor that may need to be ajusted, but I looked on my computer and does not have that bit of software.
    So I would like to find out is there any way to fix this or would I end up needing to replace the keyboard.
    Thanks.

    Hi Zannh,
    Try the following.
    Shut down the notebook, unplug the AC Adapter and then remove the battery.  Hold  down the Power button for 30 seconds.  Re-insert the battery and plug in the AC Adapter.
    Tap away at the esc key as you start the notebook to launch the Start-up Menu and then select f10 to enter the bios menu.  Press f5 to load the defaults ( this is sometimes f9, but the menu at the bottom will show the correct key ), use the arrow keys to select 'Yes' and hit enter.  Press f10 to save the setting and again use the arrow keys to select 'Yes' and hit enter.
    Any change?
    Regards,
    DP-K
    ****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
    ****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
    ****I don't work for HP****
    Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

  • Backlit keys no longer working...

    After recent SMC? firmware auto update, my backlit keys no longer work.
    When I try to turn them on (dim/bright) via keyboard shortcut keys, I get a circle with a slash thru it on the on-screen keyboard logo...

    NeoTranc3 wrote:
    Hah, Im not sure but I may have the opposite to your problem. I'm here in a very dark room, so the back light comes one, but *I am watching videos* so I'm not touching the laptop. The keys would go dark until I touched the laptop again or that is what I thought. Now the back light comes on randomly. I'm going to have to research this keyboard to see what sets it off.
    It occurs to me that you're getting a light show based on overall brightness fluctuations in the program content of your DVD! Do the keys light up when a dark scene is on the screen? Then go off once the light level in the flick goes back up?
    Take your Apple-branded black cleaning cloth and drape it over the iSight camera, which is where the ambient light sensor is. Sort of like playing peek-a-boo with the MB! (We have a 2 1/2-year-old daughter [not MacBook]). Great way to test the KB backlight (which we didn't get ourselves, BTW).
    ''86

  • My backlit keyboard keys not working?

    How come my backlit keyboard keys not working? When I try to use them I get a circle with a line running through it?

    cpickrell wrote:
    Jax, the backlight is currently usinig a sensor to turn the light on and off for you. This uses the least amount of battery. If you want to test or control the lighting yourself, go to the Apple Menu, select System Preferences, click on the Keyboard icon. Here you can turn the automatic setting on and off. If it is off, you can use they keyboard keys to turn the keyboard lighting on and off.
    Exactly!

Maybe you are looking for