Dell XPS 14 Keyboard Backlight Settings Missing from BIOS

Question

I have Windows 11 on a Dell XPS 14, and the laptop has a keyboard backlight (I can confirm this not just because I used the backlight when I first ordered the laptop, but it also has a function button to turn the light on and off). This function button no longer works to turn it on and off. The keyboard backlight stays off no matter what.

Researching this issue myself, I found past issues of a BIOS UX update changing the default startup backlight setting to "Off". Digging through my BIOS settings, however, I discovered that the keyboard backlight settings are completely missing -- despite my laptop having definitely having a backlight.

The final thing that puzzles me? The backlight suddenly started working again recently, then stopped working after a crash related to the graphics driver. I have no idea what could have caused this.

Help please?? Let me know if you need any more specifics on my system.

Sharpy796 · Answer

...I'm really embarrassed now. A computer restart fixed it. I'm still puzzled, though; I've turned my computer on and off several times previously in an attempt to fix the backlight, and this is one of the few times doing so fixed it.

Sharpy796 · Answer

Update: Another computer restart broke it again, and restarting the computer does not fix it.

DELL-Daniel V · Answer

Ensure the BIOS has been updated to the latest version for your system. Not too sure which model of XPS you have exactly so I can't provide a direct link. Then enter the BIOS and try the following things:

Enter BIOS
Select Load Defaults or Restore Settings towards the bottom of the page
Select BIOS Defaults and apply
The unit should restart on its own. Enter the BIOS again after the restart
Ensure the Advanced Setup Toggle on the top left is enabled
Click on Keyboard
There may only be an option to disable the Keyboard backlight on Battery. If present, then the backlight function is properly detected by the BIOS
1. Toggle the backlight with the keyboard key for it or set the option to Never and see if the backlight turns on that way

If the backlight does not turn on in the BIOS, then the issue is likely hardware. Contact Dell GHN (Get Help Now) chat technical support Monday through Friday. Click the blue "Get Help Now" on the right to start a private live chat session. Share the private Service Tag with them so that they can verify the ownership and warranty status. This will also generate a unique Technical Support case for your unique Service Tag. If already out of warranty, click here for the Dell out of warranty offerings.

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Dell XPS 14 Keyboard Backlight Settings Missing from BIOS

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