Macbook Air backlight won't shut off

[dtfamily]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum, as I have just purchased my first new Macbook (Air), and need some help!

I love it so far, but I do have one slight issue. I'm trying to understand how the keyboard backlight works. The backlit keys always stay on. I've tried it is a light room, a dark room, etc., but they just stay on.

I've turned the "Adjust keyboard brightness in low light" on and off, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. I can turn them off or dim them manually by using F5 and F6, but I'd quite like them to be automatic if I could! I'm trying to make sure that the Macbook isn't a defective one, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Dave

 

[RadDave]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum, as I have just purchased my first new Macbook (Air), and need some help!

I love it so far, but I do have one slight issue. I'm trying to understand how the keyboard backlight works. The backlit keys always stay on. I've tried it is a light room, a dark room, etc., but they just stay on.

I've turned the "Adjust keyboard brightness in low light" on and off, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. I can turn them off or dim them manually by using F5 and F6, but I'd quite like them to be automatic if I could! I'm trying to make sure that the Macbook isn't a defective one, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hello Dave - welcome to the forum! I'm assuming that you've been into 'System Preferences -> Keyboard' shown below and have examined and adjusted the settings? If still an issue, then reset SMC - check link; I've had this issue on my older MBPro laptop and the reset helped - nothing will be done to your laptop. Good luck - Dave
.

 

[dtfamily]

Thanks for the help Dave- I appreciate the advice, but could use some more help!

Because now it's really gotten strange. I did the SMC reset, and the lights just stayed on after I turned the computer back on again. I unchecked/rechecked "Turn keyboard light off after...", and then the backlight shut off after 5 seconds, so it was working! However, after a few minutes, the backlight turned off completely and now it won't turn on at all.

Even using the "F6" key, the light won't turn on- it shows the backlit symbol on the display, but it shows a circle with a slash in the middle, meaning I can't change it. I've tried it with the "Turn keyboard light off after..." checked, unchecked, etc. but now the backlights won't turn on at all. I did another SMC reset, and it's still not working. Please help!

BTW, when I do a SMC reset for 10 seconds, does it show or do anything to indicate it has done a reset?

EDIT: ok, so I turned off "Adjust keyboard brightness in low light", and it is working properly again- they keyboard backlights shut off after 5 seconds. So I'll just keep this option off, and it works for me! Still would appreciate though knowing if, when I do a SMC reset for 10 seconds, does it show or do anything to indicate it has done a reset?

Thanks much in advance!
Dave

 

[RadDave]

Thanks for the help Dave- I appreciate the advice, but could use some more help!

Because now it's really gotten strange. I did the SMC reset, and the lights just stayed on after I turned the computer back on again. I unchecked/rechecked "Turn keyboard light off after...", and then the backlight shut off after 5 seconds, so it was working! However, after a few minutes, the backlight turned off completely and now it won't turn on at all.

Even using the "F6" key, the light won't turn on- it shows the backlit symbol on the display, but it shows a circle with a slash in the middle, meaning I can't change it. I've tried it with the "Turn keyboard light off after..." checked, unchecked, etc. but now the backlights won't turn on at all. I did another SMC reset, and it's still not working. Please help!

BTW, when I do a SMC reset for 10 seconds, does it show or do anything to indicate it has done a reset?

EDIT: ok, so I turned off "Adjust keyboard brightness in low light", and it is working properly again- they keyboard backlights shut off after 5 seconds. So I'll just keep this option off, and it works for me! Still would appreciate though knowing if, when I do a SMC reset for 10 seconds, does it show or do anything to indicate it has done a reset?

Hi again Dave - below is a screen capture about resetting SMC from an OSXDaily Article - make sure you unplug power before shutting down, then follow the instructions if you want to try again - there is mention of light changes in the MagSafe connector (item #4) indicating that a reset was done (I've never paid attention) - as to knowing whether the reset was done 'after the fact', nothing that I can state at the moment - you could do a System Information report and scroll down to 'Logs' (see 2nd pic below) to see if there is any mention (but those logs are a pain to look at!) - after my SMC resets, I've never looked at the logs, so have no idea if that information is saved there.

There is another reset called NVRAM which is recommended here on occasion, but likely has little effect on the issue you are trying to resolve, but again will not do any harm to try. Finally, since you mentioned a 'new' laptop, I'm assuming the computer is still under warranty - if you are near an Apple store or authorized Apple dealer, then diagnostic evaluation may be a consideration? Hopefully, others will 'chime in' w/ more advice - good luck. Dave
.

 

[harryb2448]

It is new take it back and exchange it tomorrow.

 

[dtfamily]

Dave, thanks so much for your help and clearly laying out the instructions for me. I appreicate it much!