Turning on the keyboard light makes the keys easier to see in a dim room and, on supported MSI Raider models, lets you choose colors or lighting effects. The exact shortcut and controls depend on the Raider’s model and keyboard configuration, so start by checking whether your laptop has a backlit keyboard and use the key marked with a lighting symbol rather than assuming every model uses the same shortcut. You may also need MSI or SteelSeries software to adjust RGB lighting.
What You’ll Need
- Your MSI Raider laptop, connected to power if its battery is low.
- The model name or number, which you can find in Windows System Information, on the laptop’s product label, or in the documentation. The model helps you find the correct shortcut and software.
- If you want to customize colors or effects, an internet connection to download the lighting utility listed for your particular model on MSI’s official support pages. Many Raider keyboards use SteelSeries software, but support varies.
Step-by-Step
- Check that your keyboard has a backlight. Look at the keys in a dim room and inspect the function row for a keyboard or light symbol. Check your model’s specifications or manual if the symbol is unclear. Raider configurations can differ, and a model without a backlit keyboard cannot be made to light up with a shortcut or an app. Some keyboards have a single-color backlight; others support multiple colors or per-key RGB.
- Find your exact Raider model. In Windows, open Start, search for System Information, and check the System Model entry. You can also look on the product label or original paperwork. Use the full model identifier when searching MSI’s support site, because similarly named Raider laptops may have different keyboard layouts, shortcut behavior, or lighting software. You do not need to share the laptop’s serial number publicly.
- Look for the backlight shortcut. Examine the function keys for a keyboard-light icon, which may look like a small keyboard with rays or a glowing section. The shortcut is model-specific. On some MSI laptops, Fn+F8 is used for keyboard-light control, but do not treat that as universal: check the icon and your model’s manual first. If the icon is on another key, use that key instead.
- Press the shortcut and check the result. Hold down Fn, press the key marked with the backlight symbol once, and look at the keyboard. Depending on the model, the key may turn the light on, cycle through brightness levels, or move between lighting modes. If the first press does not visibly change anything, try pressing the same shortcut again a few times, pausing briefly between presses. Some models cycle through settings that include off.
- Check whether Fn Lock changes the shortcut. If pressing Fn with the marked key does not work, try the marked key by itself. Function Lock behavior can change whether the F-key’s primary action or its secondary function is used first. The right combination varies by laptop, so check the manual rather than trying unrelated key combinations. Avoid holding keys down for a long time; a short press is enough to test the control.
- Use the lighting utility for color or effect controls. If your Raider supports configurable RGB lighting, open the utility specified for your model. Many MSI gaming laptops use SteelSeries GG; supported keyboards may show a keyboard or device in its Engine section. Select the keyboard, choose a lighting effect or color, and adjust brightness if the controls are available. Apply or save the setting if the app offers that option. The labels and layout can change between software versions.
- Install only software that supports your model. If the keyboard does not appear in the lighting app, confirm on MSI’s official support page that the app is intended for your exact Raider model. Download the recommended utility and any required components from MSI or the software maker’s official site, then follow the installer’s instructions. Do not assume that every Raider supports SteelSeries GG, Mystic Light, or the same MSI Center features. A lighting app cannot add RGB capability to a keyboard that does not have it.
- Test the setting after applying it. Close the lighting app or switch to another window and check whether the keyboard remains lit. If your model has brightness levels, use the hardware shortcut to raise the brightness after selecting an effect. Some controls change the keyboard’s brightness; others change its color or animation. If you want a steady light, choose a static effect where available rather than a pulsing or reactive one.
Common Mistakes
Assuming every Raider uses the same shortcut. Function-key assignments can vary by model and generation. Fn+F8 is used on some MSI laptops, but it is not a safe universal instruction. Look for the printed lighting icon or consult the model-specific manual.
Confusing keyboard lighting with screen brightness. The display brightness keys change the screen, not the keyboard. Look closely at the symbol on the key before using it. If the screen gets brighter but the keys stay dark, you have probably pressed a display control.
Expecting software to enable a feature the keyboard does not have. A lighting utility can control supported hardware, but it cannot make a non-backlit keyboard illuminate. Also, a single-color backlight may not offer per-key colors or elaborate effects.
Changing settings in an unrelated app. Windows does not provide one universal keyboard-light setting for all MSI Raider laptops. Use the shortcut or the utility confirmed for your model, rather than relying on a generic Windows keyboard setting or a third-party app that does not recognize the device.
Installing several lighting programs at once. Different utilities may not control the same keyboard, and running multiple programs that attempt to manage lighting can make it harder to identify the active setting. Start with the program MSI lists for your exact model.
Tips
- Keep the model name handy when looking up shortcut instructions. Search using the full model identifier, not just “MSI Raider.”
- Test the hardware shortcut before changing software settings. This quickly separates a simple brightness or mode issue from an app-detection problem.
- If the keyboard has multiple brightness levels, press the shortcut in short, separate taps and watch for a change. Repeatedly holding it may not cycle settings as expected.
- For a clear test, choose a steady color and a moderate brightness in the supported lighting app. Animated effects can make it harder to tell whether the keyboard is on or responding.
- Use MSI’s official support page for model-specific manuals, drivers, and utilities. Avoid downloading keyboard-control tools from unfamiliar sites.
- If the light turns off after a restart, reopen the supported lighting utility and check whether the setting is saved or whether the app needs to start with Windows. The exact options depend on the software version.
Troubleshooting
The shortcut does nothing. Confirm that the keyboard is backlit and that you are using the key marked for lighting. Try both the Fn-plus-key combination and the key by itself if your Fn Lock setting may change function-key behavior. Check the manual for your exact model. If the keys are lit faintly, the shortcut may be cycling through brightness levels rather than switching the light on immediately.
The keyboard is lit, but it is too dim to notice. Move to a darker area and look at the keys from above. Use the model’s lighting shortcut to cycle brightness, or open its supported utility and raise the brightness slider if one is available. A low brightness setting or a dark color can be difficult to see against some keycaps.
The hardware shortcut works, but colors or effects are unavailable. Check the model specifications to see whether the keyboard supports RGB customization. A basic backlight may offer only on, off, or a few brightness levels. If the model supports RGB, verify that you installed the correct utility and that the keyboard appears as a device in it.
The lighting app does not detect the keyboard. Close and reopen the app, then restart Windows. Confirm that the software is listed for your particular Raider model and that installation completed successfully. Check MSI’s support page for any model-specific software, driver, or update instructions. Do not install software intended for a different Raider generation simply because the product name looks similar.
The light changes but will not keep your chosen setting. Reopen the supported lighting app and check whether the effect was applied or saved. Look for an option related to starting the utility with Windows if the setting depends on the app running. If the keyboard returns to a default after a restart, check for updates to the official utility and follow MSI’s guidance for your model.
The keyboard stays dark after these checks. Shut down and restart the laptop, then test the shortcut again. If the keyboard should have a backlight but neither the shortcut nor the correct utility can control it, consult MSI support or an authorized service provider. Do not open the laptop or disconnect internal parts unless you are qualified and following service instructions; the issue could require model-specific diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key turns on the keyboard light on an MSI Raider?
The key depends on the model. Find the keyboard-light symbol on the function row and check the manual for the correct combination. Fn+F8 works on some MSI laptops, but not every Raider uses it.
Can I turn on the MSI Raider keyboard light without SteelSeries GG?
Often, yes: a supported hardware shortcut can control basic on/off or brightness functions. Software may be needed for RGB colors and effects. Check the requirements for your exact model.
Why does my MSI Raider have no keyboard-light icon?
Some configurations may not include a backlit keyboard, or the control may be indicated differently. Check the model specifications and manual. If the keyboard is not backlit, software will not add a light.
Can I change the color of the keyboard light?
Only if your keyboard supports color customization. Use the compatible utility listed for your Raider model to check for color and effect controls. A single-color keyboard cannot be changed to RGB through an app.
Why does the light turn off when I close the lighting app?
Some settings may depend on the supported utility running in Windows. Check whether the app has a save or apply control and whether it can start with Windows. Behavior varies by model and software.
Will changing the keyboard light affect screen brightness?
No. Keyboard lighting and display brightness are separate controls, even if both are assigned to function-row keys. Use the key marked with the keyboard-light symbol for the backlight.