Dell E6400 Backlit Keyboard problem

I have a strange problem with my E6400 keyboard.

Firstly, I didn't even think I had a backlit keyboard. My E6400 came from the outlet with XP installed along with the Dell ControlPoint software, but when I enabled backlighting in there it didn't work so I assumed the keyboard wasn't backlit.

I have Win7 pro x64 on it now, without DCP installed. Earlier today I left it plugged in on AC power with the battery removed and came back to it a while later and the backlight was just on.

I then tried the Fn + -> button to switch on and off the backlight which seemed to work, but after a while the backlight just stopped working again.

Is there some faulty connection maybe?

 

Probably, or a faulty keyboard itself, as far as I know the keyboard backlight is controlled by bios and OS shouldn't make any difference, mine has worked in Ubuntu,XP,W7 perfectly.....and without DCP.

 

There are two possible causes-

1) Faulty keyboard. Contact Dell (call or chat) and they'll send you a new one. It takes less than 10 minutes to remove the old one and install the new one.

2) If replacing the keyboard doesn't work, the problem is very likely a problem with the motherboard and/or the actual socket where the keyboard plugs in (located directly underneath the three buttons for the TrackStick, immediately above the trackpad). This is a KNOWN issue and I had to send mine in for a new motherboard to get my keyboard backlighting to work again. It took Dell only eight days (six business days) to get it back to me and it works fine!

Good luck!

 

I will contact Dell about it asap then, it'd be great to have the backlighting feature working normally.

By the way, do you have to arrange shipping yourself to send the laptop back to Dell?

 

the backlight function has been flawed since it was out. its a software issue. 'on' doesn't mean on. On and auto function the same exact way, so the time limit you set for it being on is in charge of how long its on in either setting.

 

You can choose whether or not the backlight is controlled by the ambient light sensor. Maybe this is the cause of the erratic behavour.

John

 

Had a Dell technician visit my place today.

Turns out it wasn't the keyboard that was at fault and they brought a new motherboard with them and replaced it along with the keyboard, everything's working fine now. Only took about half an hour or so too.