Surface 5 laptop how to keep my keyboard back light on

Question

On my Surface 5, there are times I want to keep my keyboard backlight on. I use the F1/rising sun key to increase the backlight. It quickly dims if I pause typing.

There are times I need the keyboard light on?

I have the lights on in the room. I am not typing in darkness usually.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi OkSea,

We appreciate your post on Microsoft Community. On your Surface Laptop 5, you can control the keyboard backlight using the function keys. Here’s how you can manage it:

1. Activate Backlight Levels:
   • Press the F1 key (which usually has a sun or flashlight icon next to it). Each press will cycle through different backlight levels:
     • 1st Press: Activates the backlight at level 1 (minimum brightness).
     • 2nd Press: Activates the backlight at level 2 (medium brightness).
     • 3rd Press: Activates the backlight at level 3 (maximum brightness).
     • 4th Press: Deactivates the backlight.
2. Adjust Brightness (Optional):
   • If you want to fine-tune the brightness, you can adjust it using the F1 key after activating the backlight.

Remember that the backlight may automatically dim if you pause typing, but you can easily reactivate it using the function keys.

To keep the keyboard backlight on your Surface Laptop 5, you can adjust the power settings. Here's how:

1. Go to Start and select Settings.
2. Select System.
3. Select Power.
4. Under the "Related support" section, select Additional power and sleep settings.
5. Select Change plan settings next to the power plan you're currently using.
6. Select Change advanced power settings.
7. Scroll down to "Keyboard backlight" and expand the menu.
8. Select "On" for both "Plugged in" and "On battery".
9. Select Apply and then OK to save the changes.

This should keep your keyboard backlight on as long as your Surface Laptop 5 is plugged in or running on battery power.

Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

Christopher.

Answer 2

I appreciate the steps. I would never have found them. In fact doing a search for what I wanted only brought up how to use F1.

Answer 3

WELL...I spoke too soon. Below is my journey through the steps...
Remember that the backlight may automatically dim if you pause typing, but you can easily reactivate it using the function keys.

To keep the keyboard backlight on your Surface Laptop 5, you can adjust the power settings. Here's how:

1. Go to Start and select Settings.
2. Select System.
3. Select Power. (Mine has Power and Battery Settings)
4. Under the "Related support" section, select Additional power and sleep settings. (Mine has Adjusting power and sleep settings)
5. Select Change plan settings next to the power plan you're currently using.

(There is not power plan in the power and sleep settings. Rather this screen info…How to adjust power and sleep settings in Windows - Microsoft Support

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-adjust-power-and-sleep-settin…

• To adjust power and sleep settings in Windows 11, select Start> Settings > System > Power & battery>Screen and sleep.
• Screen: Select how long you want your device to wait before turning the screen off when you're not using your device.
• Sleep: Select how long you want your device to wait before going to sleep when you're not using it.
• See more about how to shut down, sleep, or hibernate your PC

Open Power & sleep settings

I clicked the above link and received…

POWER / Screen and sleep

...On battery power, turn my screen off after 5 minutes

...When plugged in 10 minutes

...On Battery power, put my device in sleep after 5 minutes

...When plugged in ...10 minutes

POWER MODE

...Recommended

...Better performance

...Best performance

I then tried backing up and attempted the other options and “Change Power Mode”. Not in any window did I find Keyboard backlight.

I then tried searching settings for “Keyboard” and “backlight” and had no joy.

I was unable to follow these last steps. SUGGESTIONS?

1. Select Change advanced power settings.
2. Scroll down to "Keyboard backlight" and expand the menu.
3. Select "On" for both "Plugged in" and "On battery".
4. Select Apply and then OK to save the changes.

This should keep your keyboard backlight on as long as your Surface Laptop 5 is plugged in or running on battery power.

Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Answer 4

Hi OkSea,

Thank you so much for your respond. We apologize for the inconvenience for the late respond. We checked the thread again and regarding the issue that we have (Surface 5 laptop how to keep my keyboard back light on) As per design of the device. We cannot keep the back light on. The back light will work on the steps that I send you above.

1. Activate Backlight Levels:
   • Press the F1 key (which usually has a sun or flashlight icon next to it). Each press will cycle through different backlight levels:
     • 1st Press: Activates the backlight at level 1 (minimum brightness).
     • 2nd Press: Activates the backlight at level 2 (medium brightness).
     • 3rd Press: Activates the backlight at level 3 (maximum brightness).
     • 4th Press: Deactivates the backlight.
2. Adjust Brightness (Optional):
   • If you want to fine-tune the brightness, you can adjust it using the F1 key after activating the backlight.

Although the keyboard backlight on the device automatically turns back on when any letters are pressed, this feature is designed to conserve energy. However, if you prefer to keep the keyboard backlight active, I recommend providing feedback to the engineering team via the Feedback Hub app.

1. Open the Feedback Hub:
   • You can do this by either:
     • Selecting Start, typing “Feedback Hub” in the search bar, and choosing the app from the list.
     • Pressing the Windows logo key + F. If you encounter a problem, this shortcut will take a screenshot and automatically upload it to the Feedback tab.
2. Get to know the Feedback Hub home page:
   • When you open the app, you’ll see the home page with the following elements:
     • A search bar (default text: “Search feedback”).
     • Buttons for Report a problem and suggest a feature.
     • The Feedback tab, which contains:
       • All feedback: Displays feedback from other users.
       • My feedback: Displays feedback you’ve created or participated in.
       • Drafts: Displays feedback you’ve started but not yet completed.
3. Find existing feedback:
   • In the search bar at the top, type your problem or suggestion.
   • Look for feedback similar to yours in the search results.
   • If you find similar feedback:
     • For a Suggestion, select Upvote.
     • For a Problem, you can Upvote or select Give similar feedback to add your own experience.

Thank you for your understanding.

Kind regards,

Christopher

Answer 5

i have key f5 but its not working