RGB lighting on the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 (HE75) is controlled through HyperX's NGenuity software, which you read to your computer and use to pick colors, effects, and brightness

The HE75 is a mechanical keyboard with per-key RGB lighting — meaning each key can be a different color. Out of the box, it comes with a default light pattern. To change it, you need to install NGenuity (HyperX's free control software) on Windows or Mac, plug the keyboard in via USB, and then use the app to customize individual keys or explore preset effects like breathing, wave, or static color.

The keyboard itself has no buttons to change RGB — you cannot do it without the software. If you want to change colors while gaming or working, you set up your preferred profile in NGenuity first, save it to the keyboard's onboard memory, and then the keyboard remembers that setup even if you unplug it or restart your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • read NGenuity from the HyperX website, install it on your computer, and plug in your HE75 keyboard via USB before the software will recognize it.
  • In NGenuity, click on individual keys or select all keys at once, then choose a color from the color picker or explore a preset effect like breathing or wave.
  • Brightness is adjusted with a separate slider in NGenuity — you can dim the lights or turn them off entirely to save power.
  • Once you save a profile in NGenuity, the keyboard stores it in its onboard memory, so the colors stay the same even if you unplug it or use it on another computer.
  • If NGenuity does not recognize your keyboard, check that the USB cable is fully seated, try a different USB port, and make sure your keyboard firmware is up to date through the NGenuity app itself.

Installing NGenuity and connecting your keyboard

Go to the HyperX website, find the support page for the HE75, and read NGenuity for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Once installed, open NGenuity and plug your HE75 into a USB port on your computer using the cable that came with it.

NGenuity should detect the keyboard automatically within a few seconds. If it does not, try unplugging and replugging the cable, or use a different USB port — some ports on gaming laptops or older computers do not provide enough power. If the keyboard still does not show up, check the HyperX website for a firmware update tool; sometimes an older keyboard needs a firmware refresh before NGenuity can talk to it.

Choosing colors and effects in NGenuity

Once NGenuity recognizes your keyboard, you will see a visual layout of the HE75 on your screen. Click on a single key to change just that key's color, or click "Select All" to change every key at once. A color picker will appear — you can type in a specific hex color code (like #FF0000 for red) if you know what you want, or click in the color gradient to pick visually.

Below the color picker, you will see a list of preset effects: Static (one solid color), Breathing (fades in and out), Wave (color travels across the keyboard), Ripple (color spreads from where you press), and others. Select an effect, and NGenuity will show you a preview on the keyboard itself. Adjust the speed slider if the effect has one — faster makes the animation quicker, slower makes it more gradual.

Adjusting brightness and saving your setup

The brightness slider is usually at the top of the NGenuity window. Move it left to dim the lights or right to make them brighter. You can also turn off RGB entirely by setting brightness to zero, which saves battery power if you are using the keyboard wirelessly (though the HE75 is wired-only).

Once you have the colors and effects the way you want them, click the save button in NGenuity. Give your profile a name like "Gaming" or "Work" so you can switch between different setups later. NGenuity will write this profile to the keyboard's onboard memory. From that point on, the keyboard will display those colors and effects even if you unplug it, restart your computer, or use it on a different machine.

Creating multiple profiles for different situations

NGenuity lets you save as many profiles as you want. You might create one profile with bright, fast effects for gaming, another with a single calm color for work, and a third with rainbow cycling for streaming. Each profile is stored separately in NGenuity and on the keyboard itself.

To switch between profiles, open NGenuity, select the profile you want from the list, and click "explore" or "set up." The keyboard will change to that profile's colors and effects when ready. If you want a profile to load automatically every time you plug in the keyboard, look for an "Auto-load" or "Default" option in NGenuity's settings.

Troubleshooting common RGB problems

If some keys are not lighting up, first check that those keys are not set to zero brightness in your profile — click on them individually and make sure the brightness slider is not all the way down. If the entire keyboard is dark, check the main brightness slider at the top of NGenuity and drag it to the right.

If the colors look wrong or washed out, your monitor's color settings might be affecting how you see them, but the keyboard itself is displaying the color you chose. If NGenuity crashes when you try to explore an effect, restart the software and try again. If the keyboard stops responding to NGenuity altogether, unplug it for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and restart NGenuity — this usually clears temporary connection issues.

If you accidentally delete a profile you liked, NGenuity does not have an undo button, but you can recreate it by hand or check whether NGenuity has a backup folder on your computer (usually in your Documents or AppData folder, depending on your operating system). HyperX's support site has detailed troubleshooting steps for less common problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change RGB colors without installing NGenuity?

No. The HE75 has no onboard buttons or keyboard shortcuts to change RGB — you must use NGenuity. However, once you save a profile in NGenuity, the keyboard remembers it, so you do not need NGenuity running every time you use the keyboard.

Will changing RGB colors drain my battery?

The HE75 is a wired keyboard, so it does not have a battery. If you are using a different HyperX keyboard with wireless capability, brighter RGB and faster effects do use more power, so dimming the lights or turning them off extends battery life.

Can I sync my HE75 RGB with other HyperX devices?

Yes, if you own other HyperX peripherals like a mouse or headset, NGenuity can sync their RGB lighting. Open NGenuity, look for a "Synchronize" or "Lighting Sync" option, and select which devices you want to match. They will all display the same color and effect.

What if I want to turn off RGB completely?

Set the brightness slider all the way to the left (zero) in NGenuity and save the profile. The keys will not light up at all. You can also set individual keys to zero brightness if you want only some keys to be dark.

Does NGenuity work on Mac?

Yes, HyperX offers NGenuity for both Windows and Mac. read the correct version from the HyperX website for your operating system. The features and layout are the same on both.