Thinkpads Forum

Hi guys,

looking for a way to have my backlit keyboard automatically turn on when starting my T470 (Model 20jns04t00) . I found that there should be a config-entry in my BIOS to achieve this but there is not. I run Windows 11, created by a Rufus stick, and all the devices are configured ok in device managers.

Any idea on what I can do to not always have to turn on backlit keyboard every startup?

Cheers from Germany,
Terry

I believe that all of the 'backlit' OE keyboards that I've had required a 'turn on' after start. Nearly all (maybe all) have 2 levels of brightness. You had the functionality in previous Windows? I'd think default to 'off' would be the desired.

Dunno for sure.

But my new Yoga Gen6 at work keeps the backlight always on. Would love to have that on my T470 as well....

Keyboard backlight IS NOT handled by OS, it's done by EC/BIOS, so Windows version has nothing to do with it.
I've never heard of option of keeping keyboard lit ALL the time.... Why so? You don't need it during a day, and it's just a a click away when you need it.

Reply to that is easy: I need it more often than I dont. And options you need more often than not make sense to turn on all the time if there are no other disadvantages, which there arent.

I found a screenshot from a BIOS of a T470 showing Backlit always on under keyboard settings, but I cant find it anymore. And it works on my Yoga Gen 6 at work, there the backlight always pops on at boot.

Understood... Though there is one obvious side-effect - decreased battery life.
I just went through T470 BIOS again, but to no avail, no such function there.
AutHotKey also is not an option, as Fn key strokes are filtered out by EC and they don't quite reach OS.
Hard to figure it out.

Yeah well, batterie life ok, but I guess that is not that big of a deal. But I really cant find any setting as well....shame.

But thanks for helping....

Hmm....problem remains. Sold my T470 and bought myself a nice T480s for Win 11 compatibility, but it also switches off the backlit keyboard on bootup. Would still love to have it always on....

Lenovo doesn't allow users to set the keyboard to turn on automatically, however you can use an external controller

If you want your keyboard to stay lit even after a restart or a wakeup you can try DimScreenSaver for lenovo t470 (will probably work for other models too)
https://github.com/pioter1234567/DimScr ... _keyboard/

It allowes you to control the keyboard backlight based on your settings. the keyboard backlight turns off when the user is inactive and turn back when active again

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