What keyboard colour-changing actually means

When people talk about changing their keyboard's colour, they usually mean one of two things: adjusting the colour of the backlit keys (the light underneath the letters), or physically swapping out the keycaps (the plastic pieces you press). Most modern keyboards sold in the last five years have some form of backlighting, and that's what most people want to control. The backlight is almost always controlled through software on your computer, not by buttons on the keyboard itself.

If your keyboard has no backlight at all — if the keys don't glow — then you cannot change the colour of the light. You would need to replace the entire keyboard with one that has backlighting built in. But if you can see the keys glowing when you use it in a dark room, you almost certainly have the software to change that colour sitting on your computer right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Backlit keyboard colours are controlled through software on your computer, usually a program that came with your keyboard or your laptop.
  • Windows and Mac laptops with built-in backlit keyboards use their own system settings, not a separate program.
  • Gaming keyboards and mechanical keyboards usually come with their own software that lets you pick colours, effects, and brightness.
  • If your keyboard has no backlight at all, changing the colour is not possible without buying a new keyboard.
  • Physically swapping keycaps is a separate task from changing backlight colour and requires a keyboard designed for it.

Finding the backlight control on Windows

On Windows laptops, the backlight control is usually in Settings, not in a separate program. Open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"), then look for "System" or "Keyboard". Some Windows machines have a "Keyboard" section that includes backlight options. If you don't see it there, try searching for "keyboard backlight" directly in the Settings search box at the top.

If your Windows computer has a keyboard made by a specific brand — like Corsair, Razer, or SteelSeries — check your Programs list. These brands usually install their own software when you first plug in the keyboard. Open that software and look for a "Lighting" or "Effects" tab. That's where you'll find the colour picker and brightness controls. If you can't find the software, visit the keyboard manufacturer's website and search for the model number printed on the back of your keyboard.

Some older Windows keyboards have a physical button or key combination (like Fn + a number key) that cycles through colours without any software. Check your keyboard's manual or the underside of the keyboard for a label showing which key does this.

Finding the backlight control on Mac

Mac laptops with backlit keyboards control the light through System Settings, not through a separate program. Open System Settings, click "Keyboard" in the left sidebar, then look for "Keyboard Backlight" or "Backlight" options. You'll usually see a slider to adjust brightness, but Mac's built-in keyboards typically only let you make the backlight brighter or dimmer — you cannot change the colour itself. Apple keyboards glow white only.

If you have an external keyboard plugged into your Mac (not the built-in one), and that keyboard is made by Corsair, Razer, or another gaming brand, those companies provide their own software for Mac. read it from the manufacturer's website, install it, and open the program to find colour options. The process is the same as on Windows: look for a Lighting or Effects tab.

Using gaming keyboard software to change colours

If you own a gaming keyboard or mechanical keyboard, the manufacturer almost always includes software that gives you far more control than the basic Windows or Mac settings. Common brands are Corsair iCUE, Razer Synapse, SteelSeries Engine, and Logitech G Hub. These programs let you pick any colour, set up patterns (like a wave or breathing effect), and sometimes assign different colours to different keys.

To use this software, first plug the keyboard into your computer. Then visit the manufacturer's website, find the Downloads or Support section, and search for your keyboard model. read the software and install it. When you open the program, you should see a visual representation of your keyboard on screen. Click on any key or section to change its colour. Most programs have a colour picker (a square or circle where you click to choose the shade you want) and a brightness slider.

If the software won't open or doesn't recognize your keyboard, try unplugging the keyboard, restarting your computer, and plugging it back in. Sometimes the software needs to detect the keyboard after a fresh start. If that doesn't work, uninstall the software completely, restart again, and reinstall it.

Physically replacing keycaps for a different look

Changing the colour of the actual keycaps — the plastic pieces you touch — is different from changing the backlight colour. This only works on keyboards designed for it, usually mechanical keyboards or gaming keyboards with removable keycaps. Standard laptop keyboards and most office keyboards have keycaps glued on and cannot be swapped.

If your keyboard has removable keycaps, you can buy replacement sets online from sites that sell mechanical keyboard parts. To remove a keycap, gently pull it straight up and away from the switch underneath. It should come off with light pressure — do not force it or twist it. Once the keycap is off, you can slide a new one onto the stem (the small post sticking up from the switch) and press it down until it clicks.

Keycap sets come in many colours and materials. When you buy them, make sure they match your keyboard's switch type — the most common types are Cherry MX, Gateron, and Outemu. The product listing will tell you which switches the keycaps fit. If you buy keycaps for the wrong switch type, they will not fit properly.

What to do if your keyboard has no backlight

If your keyboard does not glow in the dark and has no backlight at all, there is no software setting or button that will add colour to it. The backlight hardware straightforward is not there. Your only option is to buy a new keyboard that includes backlighting.

When shopping for a backlit keyboard, check the product description for words like "RGB backlight", "mechanical backlit", or "illuminated keys". Budget keyboards often have single-colour backlights (usually white or blue), while gaming keyboards usually have RGB (red, green, blue) backlights that can be any colour. The price difference is usually between $30 and $150 depending on the brand and features.

Troubleshooting when the colour won't change

If you have the software open but the keyboard colour is not changing, first check that the software actually recognizes your keyboard. Look for a status message or icon that says "Connected" or shows your keyboard model. If it says "Not Connected" or "No Device Found", unplug the keyboard, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in. Then close and reopen the software.

If the software shows your keyboard as connected but the colour still won't change, try clicking the "explore" or "Save" button if one exists. Some software requires you to confirm your colour choice before it takes effect. If there is no explore button, try closing the software completely and reopening it — sometimes the change takes effect only after a restart of the program.

If the keyboard still does not respond, check whether your keyboard is in a low-power mode or sleep mode. Some keyboards turn off their backlight to save battery if they are wireless. Press a key or move the keyboard to wake it up. If you are using a wireless keyboard, also check that the battery is not dead — a dead battery will prevent the backlight from working even if the keyboard itself still types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my laptop keyboard's backlight colour if it's built in?

On Windows, yes — look in Settings under Keyboard or search for "keyboard backlight". On Mac, no — Apple's built-in keyboards only glow white and brightness is all you can adjust. If you want colour options, you would need to use an external keyboard plugged into your Mac.

Do I need to install software to change keyboard colours?

Not always. Windows and Mac laptops with built-in keyboards use system settings, no software needed. But gaming keyboards and brand-name external keyboards almost always require their own software. Check the manufacturer's website to read it if it did not come with your keyboard.

What if I want to change just one key's colour, not the whole keyboard?

Most gaming keyboard software lets you click individual keys and assign them different colours. Open the manufacturer's software, find the key you want to change, click it, and pick a new colour. Some software also lets you assign colours to groups of keys (like all the arrow keys together) or create patterns where different keys light up in sequence.

Will changing the backlight colour drain my battery faster?

Slightly, but not enough to notice on a plugged-in computer. On wireless keyboards, a brighter or more colourful backlight will drain the battery faster than a dimmer one, so if you have a wireless keyboard, lowering the brightness can extend battery life between charges.

Can I change the colour of a keyboard that's not backlit?

No. If the keys do not glow in the dark, there is no backlight to change colour. You would need to buy a new keyboard with backlighting. You can swap the keycaps themselves for different colours if your keyboard has removable keycaps, but that is a separate task from changing backlight colour.