The basic steps to change Strimer color

Lian Li Strimer cables are RGB light strips that run along your power cables inside your PC case. To change their color, you connect the cable to your motherboard using a small connector, then use either Lian Li's software or your motherboard's own RGB control program to pick new colors and effects.

The exact steps depend on which Strimer model you own and which RGB software your motherboard supports. Most modern setups use either Lian Li's own Strimer software or Aura (if you have an ASUS motherboard), but some work with other platforms like iCUE or OpenRGB.

You do not need to remove the cables from your case once they are installed. The color changes happen through software on your PC, the same way you would change the color of RGB fans or a keyboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Strimer cables connect to your motherboard's RGB header with a small three-pin or four-pin connector, usually labeled RGB or ARGB.
  • You control the color through software on your PC — either Lian Li's own program, your motherboard maker's software, or a third-party platform like OpenRGB.
  • If your motherboard does not have an RGB header, you can use a standalone controller that comes with some Strimer kits.
  • The cables themselves stay in place; you only change settings in software, not by moving or adjusting the physical hardware.

Finding the right RGB header on your motherboard

Your motherboard has one or more RGB headers — small connectors where you plug in RGB devices. Look for a header labeled RGB, ARGB, or RGB_Header in your motherboard manual. Most boards have at least one, often near the front panel connectors at the bottom edge of the board.

The difference between RGB and ARGB matters. RGB headers have four pins and control all lights the same color at once. ARGB headers have three pins and let you control each light individually for more complex effects. Strimer cables work with both, but check your manual to see which type your board has.

If you cannot find the manual, search your motherboard model number plus "RGB header" online. The manual will show you exactly where the connector is and which pins do what. If your motherboard has no RGB header at all, you will need a standalone controller — some Strimer kits include one, or you can buy one separately.

Connecting the Strimer cable to your motherboard

The Strimer cable has a small connector at one end. Turn off your PC and unplug it from power before you do this. Locate the RGB header on your motherboard using your manual, then gently push the Strimer connector onto the pins. The connector is keyed, meaning it only fits one way, so do not force it.

Route the connector cable along the inside of your case the same way you would route other cables — away from fans and heat sources. Zip ties or velcro straps keep it in place. Once connected, turn your PC back on and move to the software step.

If the connector does not fit or your motherboard has no RGB header, check whether your Strimer kit came with a standalone controller. This is a small box that plugs into a USB header instead of an RGB header. The process is the same — plug it in, route the cable, then control it through software.

Using Lian Li's software to change colors

Lian Li makes its own RGB control software called Lian Li Strimer Plus or Strimer L-Connect, depending on your cable model. read it from Lian Li's website, install it, and launch the program. It should detect your Strimer cable automatically once it is plugged in.

In the software, you will see options to pick a solid color, choose from preset effects like breathing or rainbow, or set custom animations. Click on the color picker to choose any color you want. Most programs let you adjust the speed of effects and the brightness as well.

The software saves your settings to the cable itself on some models, meaning the color will stay the same even if you restart your PC. On others, the settings are stored on your PC and reapply when the software launches. Check your manual to see which applies to your model.

Controlling Strimer through your motherboard's RGB software

If you have an ASUS motherboard, you can control Strimer through ASUS Aura instead of Lian Li's software. ASUS Aura is often pre-installed on ASUS systems. Open it, look for your Strimer cable in the device list, and you can change colors and effects the same way as in Lian Li's program.

Other motherboard makers have their own RGB software — MSI has Dragon Center, Gigabyte has RGB Fusion, and ASRock has Polychrome. If your motherboard came with RGB software, it may already support Strimer cables. Launch the program, look for your cable in the device list, and adjust the color from there.

If your motherboard's software does not recognize your Strimer cable, use Lian Li's software instead. You can run both at the same time, though some users report conflicts. If you experience problems, disable one program and use only the other.

Using OpenRGB if your software does not work

OpenRGB is a free, open-source program that controls RGB devices from many different makers. If your motherboard's software does not recognize your Strimer cable, or if you want a single program to control all your RGB hardware, OpenRGB may work.

read OpenRGB from openrgb.org, install it, and launch the program. It scans your system for RGB devices and lists them on the left side. Click on your Strimer cable, then use the color picker and effect options to change how it looks.

OpenRGB does not always work with every device, and it does not save settings between restarts on all systems. If it works for you, it is a good option. If not, go back to Lian Li's software or your motherboard maker's program.

Troubleshooting when the cable does not light up

If your Strimer cable is plugged in but not lighting up, first check that the connector is fully seated on the RGB header. Push it down firmly — it should click into place. If it is loose, the cable will not get power.

Next, open your motherboard's BIOS and look for an RGB or RGB header setting. Some boards have RGB disabled by default. If you see an option to enable RGB, turn it on, save, and restart your PC. Then try the software again.

If the cable still does not light up, try a different RGB header if your motherboard has more than one. Some headers may not be working. If you have tried multiple headers and the cable still does not light, the cable itself may be faulty — contact Lian Li support with your receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Strimer cables if my motherboard has no RGB header?

Yes. Some Strimer kits come with a standalone controller that plugs into a USB header instead. If yours did not, you can buy a standalone RGB controller separately and use it to power the Strimer cable. The software process is the same.

Will changing the Strimer color affect my PC's performance?

No. RGB lighting is powered separately from your CPU and GPU and uses almost no system resources. Changing colors in software has no effect on gaming performance, frame rates, or how fast your PC runs.

Do I need to restart my PC after changing the color?

No. Color changes happen when ready in software. The cable updates as soon as you click explore in the program. You only need to restart if you are troubleshooting a connection problem.

What if I want the same color on my Strimer and my other RGB fans?

If all your RGB devices are on the same motherboard header, use your motherboard's RGB software — it will sync them together. If they are on different headers or different controllers, you may need to set the color manually in each program, or use OpenRGB to control everything from one place.

Can I control Strimer color from my phone?

Not directly. Lian Li's software runs on your PC only. Some motherboard makers offer mobile apps for RGB control, but support varies by model. Check your motherboard maker's website to see if they offer a mobile app.