To turn on the keyboard light on an MSI Pulse 15, first try the keyboard-backlight shortcut printed on your keyboard. On many MSI laptops, that is Fn + F8, but the exact key and lighting controls can differ by Pulse 15 model and configuration. If the shortcut does not work, check whether your model has a backlit keyboard, then use the lighting software specified for that model.
What You’ll Need
- Your MSI Pulse 15 and its built-in keyboard. Connect the laptop to power if its battery is nearly empty, since power-saving behavior can affect some features.
- The model number, if you need to check which controls or keyboard features it supports. Find it on the label on the underside of the laptop, on the box, or in Windows under Settings > System > About.
- For software adjustments, access to Windows and an internet connection if the relevant MSI or SteelSeries application is not already installed.
Step-by-Step
- Check that your particular Pulse 15 has a backlit keyboard. Pulse 15 configurations can differ, and lighting features are not guaranteed to be identical across every model or regional version. Look up the full model code on MSI’s official product or support page and check its specifications or user manual for keyboard backlighting. A keyboard that has no backlight cannot be lit with a shortcut or software. Do not rely only on a product listing for a different Pulse 15 configuration.
- Locate the keyboard-light symbol. Look across the function-key row for a key marked with a small illuminated keyboard, rays, or a similar backlight symbol. The marking can vary, so use the symbol on your own keyboard rather than assuming every unit has the same layout. If you cannot find it, consult the manual for your exact model code. The manual also helps distinguish a lighting control from other function-key shortcuts.
- Try the shortcut shown for your model. On many MSI laptops, the keyboard backlight is controlled with Fn + F8. Hold down Fn, tap the function key bearing the backlight symbol, and release both keys. If F8 on your laptop has the relevant symbol, try Fn + F8. Press the shortcut again if needed: some keyboards cycle through lighting states or brightness levels with repeated presses. Stop when the light is at the setting you want. If the key shows a different function, do not assume F8 is the right control for your model.
- Try the function key by itself if Fn + the marked key does nothing. Some systems have a function-key or Fn-lock setting that changes whether you need to hold Fn. Tap the marked key once, check the keyboard, and then try the Fn combination again. Avoid pressing unrelated key combinations at random, because that can trigger other laptop functions without changing the lighting.
- Check whether the brightness is simply at its lowest setting. If the keyboard has multiple light levels, press the marked shortcut more than once and watch for a change. Some models move through off and brighter settings in a cycle; others may use a separate control. Follow the key labeling and manual for your laptop. Test in a dim room if the change is subtle, but do not conclude that the backlight is off solely because it is hard to see in bright daylight.
- Open the lighting application provided for your model. Depending on the Pulse 15 configuration, keyboard effects may be managed by MSI Center, SteelSeries GG, or another utility identified in the model’s documentation. Open the Start menu and search for those applications. If the correct app is installed, look for a keyboard, illumination, or lighting section, select an available effect or brightness setting, and apply the change. The names and layout of controls can vary between software versions.
- Install or update the utility only from an official source when needed. If the manual says a particular app controls the keyboard but it is missing, use the support page for your exact Pulse 15 model or MSI’s official app source to find the recommended software. Some configurations use SteelSeries GG for keyboard effects; others may show lighting controls through MSI Center. Do not install a utility just because it appears in a general guide: it may not support your unit. Restart Windows if the installer requests it.
- Restart and test the shortcut again. After changing a software setting or installing the recommended utility, restart the laptop if the lighting still does not respond. Sign in, wait for Windows and the control application to finish loading, and then use the documented keyboard shortcut once more. This can help distinguish a temporary software issue from a model or hardware limitation.
Common Mistakes
Assuming every Pulse 15 uses the same key combination. Fn + F8 is a useful first try on many MSI laptops, not a guarantee for every Pulse 15. The marked key and model manual are more reliable guides. Function-key assignments can vary by generation and keyboard layout.
Expecting a shortcut to add a feature the laptop does not have. A backlight shortcut cannot make an unlit keyboard illuminate. Confirm the feature in the specifications for your exact model, rather than assuming that all laptops with the same family name have the same keyboard.
Confusing keyboard lighting with screen brightness. The laptop display and keyboard have separate controls. If the screen changes when you press a key, you may have used a display-brightness function rather than the key marked for keyboard illumination.
Installing the wrong lighting app. MSI Center and SteelSeries GG are not interchangeable for every model. A lighting menu may be absent if the laptop does not use that application or if the app does not recognize its hardware. Check the model-specific manual before changing software.
Thinking the light is broken because it is hard to see. In a bright room, a low brightness setting or a subtle effect may be difficult to notice. Check in lower ambient light and select a clearly visible effect if the software offers one.
Assuming the setting will always persist after shutdown. Depending on the model and software, the startup effect may be controlled by a utility or firmware setting. If the keyboard lights only after Windows loads, check the app’s startup or profile settings rather than repeatedly changing unrelated system settings.
Tips
Record the full model code before searching for instructions. “MSI Pulse 15” identifies a product family, not necessarily the exact keyboard, shortcut, or supported control application. The model code lets you compare your unit with the correct MSI support documents and reduces the chance of following directions for a different generation.
When testing the shortcut, press one combination at a time and wait a moment to see the result. If the backlight cycles between off, dim, and bright, repeated presses can make it seem as though the key is not working when it has actually moved to a different state. Make a note of what happens at each press.
If you use a lighting application, change one setting at a time. First select a simple, static effect and a visible brightness level; then test any colors or animation options. This makes it easier to tell whether the keyboard is responding and whether a profile is being applied. Save or apply the profile if the software provides that option.
Keep MSI Center, SteelSeries GG, and keyboard-related drivers current only when they are recommended for your exact model. Prefer official MSI or software-provider downloads, and avoid third-party driver sites. If a recent update coincides with the problem, note the update and check the official support guidance before removing software.
For a laptop used in class or a shared room, remember that a brighter keyboard or animated effect can be distracting. A low, steady setting is often easier to use without drawing attention. If you do not need the light, use the documented shortcut to cycle it off rather than changing settings that control other parts of the laptop.
Troubleshooting
Nothing happens when you press the shortcut. Confirm that you have found the key with the keyboard-backlight marking, then try it both with and without Fn. Check the exact model’s manual for the assigned control. Also confirm that your configuration includes a backlit keyboard. If it does, restart the laptop and test again before moving on to software checks.
The lighting app has no keyboard option. Make sure you are using the application listed for your Pulse 15 model, not simply an app that controls lighting on another MSI laptop. Check for updates from the official source and restart after installation. If the official documentation does not identify the installed app as a keyboard control for your configuration, it may not support your keyboard.
The app opens but does not detect the keyboard. Close and reopen the app, restart Windows, and check the model-specific support page for required updates or installation instructions. Avoid uninstalling several MSI utilities at once; that can make it harder to identify which component is missing. If detection still fails, contact MSI support with the full model code and the app version.
The keyboard lights briefly but goes dark. Check whether a lighting profile, power-saving behavior, or application setting is turning the effect off. Test while the laptop is plugged in, then compare the result on battery. If the behavior started after a software change, check that app’s settings and official release information rather than assuming the keyboard has failed.
Only part of the keyboard lights, or the effect looks different from expected. Some keyboards provide zone-based effects rather than individually lit keys, and available effects depend on the hardware and software version. Check the model’s product specifications and choose a supported effect in the correct application. If a key or area remains dark under every supported setting, document the affected area and contact MSI support.
The light stays off after trying all documented controls. Verify once more that the specification explicitly lists a backlit keyboard. If it does, install only the recommended updates and follow the model’s troubleshooting instructions. Persistent failure may require hardware service; avoid opening the laptop unless you are qualified and the warranty terms allow it. Provide support with the model code, what shortcuts you tried, and whether the keyboard appears in the lighting app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key turns on the MSI Pulse 15 keyboard light?
Many MSI laptops use Fn + F8, but the correct shortcut depends on the specific Pulse 15. Look for the keyboard-backlight symbol and confirm the key assignment in your model’s manual.
Can I turn on the keyboard light without Fn?
Possibly. Depending on the function-key setting, the marked key may work by itself, or you may need to hold Fn. Try both methods with the key labeled for keyboard lighting.
Can I change the color of the keyboard light?
Only if your particular keyboard and its supported software offer color controls. Check the official specifications and the lighting app identified for your model; some configurations may offer different controls or effects.
Why is there no keyboard-light setting in MSI Center?
Your configuration may use a different utility, such as SteelSeries GG, or may not provide software control for the keyboard. Check the model-specific manual before installing or changing applications.
Does every MSI Pulse 15 have a backlit keyboard?
Do not assume so. Configurations can vary by model and region. Confirm the feature using the full model code and its official specifications or manual.
Will the keyboard light remain on after I restart?
That depends on the model and its lighting software or profile settings. If the light resets, check the supported app for a saved profile or startup option and consult the manual for your exact unit.