How to Turn On the Keyboard Light on an MSI Sword Laptop

Turning on the keyboard light makes the keys easier to see in dim rooms. On many MSI Sword laptops, the light is controlled by a function-key shortcut; the exact key and available lighting options can vary by model and configuration. Start by checking that your particular Sword has a backlit keyboard, then try the keyboard-light key before changing software or settings.

What You’ll Need

• Your MSI Sword laptop, powered on.
• The laptop’s exact model name or model number, useful if the shortcut is unclear. You can usually find it on a label on the bottom of the laptop or in MSI system information.
• Access to the model’s user manual or MSI support page if the keyboard-light key or software controls are not obvious.

Step-by-Step

1. Check whether your keyboard is backlit. Look at the keys in a dim room and inspect the function-key row for a small keyboard or illuminated-key symbol. A backlit keyboard may have a single-color glow or several lighting zones, depending on the exact Sword model. If there is no backlight hardware, a shortcut or Windows setting cannot add one. Check the specifications for your full model number rather than assuming that every laptop sold under the MSI Sword name has identical features.

2. Locate the keyboard-light control. Look closely at the F1–F12 keys for an icon that resembles a keyboard with rays or a glow. On many MSI laptops, including some Sword configurations, the keyboard-backlight function is assigned to F8 and is used with the Fn key. However, key assignments can differ by generation and model, so treat the icon and your model’s manual as the best guide. Do not confuse this control with the screen-brightness icons, which usually show a sun or display.

3. Try the Fn shortcut. Press and hold Fn, then press the key marked with the keyboard-light icon. If that icon is on F8, try Fn + F8. Press the combination once and give the laptop a moment to respond. On models with more than one lighting level, pressing the shortcut again may cycle through brightness levels or lighting states, including off. Stop when the keys are visibly illuminated. Avoid holding the keys down for a long time; a short press is usually the intended input.

4. Try the alternate function-key mode if nothing happens. Some MSI keyboards can send an F-key command directly or use it as a special function, depending on the Fn-key mode. If Fn + the marked key does not respond, try pressing the marked key by itself. If that also fails, try the other combination once more. The model’s manual can confirm which mode and shortcut apply. If your keyboard has an Fn-lock indicator or your system provides an Fn-lock option, check its current state rather than repeatedly pressing unrelated keys.

5. Look for a lighting control in MSI software. Some supported Sword models provide lighting options through MSI Center, while others may have different software or limited controls. Open MSI Center from the Start menu if it is already installed, and look for a feature such as Mystic Light or a keyboard-lighting control. The name and availability depend on the laptop. If the app has no such feature, that does not necessarily mean the keyboard is faulty; the model may use only the hardware shortcut or may not support software customization.

6. Use only the software specified for your model. If MSI’s product page or manual identifies a particular lighting application, use that application and install it from MSI or the named software publisher. Some MSI keyboards use SteelSeries software, but it is not a universal control for every Sword. Do not install an app simply because it is mentioned in instructions for a different MSI model. After opening the supported app, select the keyboard or lighting section, choose an available effect or brightness setting, and apply or save the change if the app offers that option.

7. Check the result in a dim environment. Keyboard lighting can be hard to see in a bright room, and a low brightness setting may look faint. Lower the room lighting briefly and look across the keys rather than only at the spacebar or keyboard edges. If the light appears, use the shortcut or supported app to adjust it to a comfortable level. If the keys remain dark, continue with the troubleshooting section instead of changing unrelated display settings.

8. Confirm the setting survives a restart. Once the light is on, restart the laptop normally and test the shortcut again. Some models remember the last lighting state; others may return to a default after startup or a software update. If the light turns off after restarting, check the supported lighting app and the manual for startup behavior. This helps distinguish a saved preference from a temporary effect without changing BIOS or system settings unnecessarily.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming every MSI Sword has the same keyboard. Features vary across model years, screen sizes, and configurations. A Sword name alone does not establish the backlight type, shortcut, color options, or supported app. Verify the full model identifier before following instructions for another laptop.
• Using a screen-brightness shortcut. The keys that brighten the display do not control the keyboard. Look for a keyboard-shaped light icon, not a sun or monitor symbol.
• Expecting the Windows brightness slider to control it. Windows does not provide one universal keyboard-backlight control for all MSI laptops. Use the laptop’s marked shortcut or a model-supported MSI utility.
• Pressing keys randomly or changing BIOS options. Unrelated shortcuts can alter other functions, and BIOS settings are not a first-line way to switch the light on. Identify the correct control in the manual before trying other settings.
• Installing an incompatible lighting program. A utility that works with one MSI keyboard may not support a Sword configuration. Confirm compatibility through MSI documentation for the exact model.
• Assuming the keyboard is broken because the light is subtle. A dim level or bright surroundings can make a working backlight difficult to notice. Test in lower ambient light and cycle through the available levels once.

Tips

• Find the full model number first. Use it when searching MSI’s support site for a manual, hotkey list, or utility. Search results for a similar Sword model may describe a different keyboard.
• Use the icon as a practical clue, not a guarantee. A keyboard-light symbol usually identifies the relevant control, but the manual is the final check when symbols are unclear or the shortcut does not work.
• Make one change at a time. Test the marked shortcut first, then check software. Keeping the order simple makes it easier to tell whether the shortcut, an app, or a configuration issue is involved.
• Keep software and firmware changes model-specific. If MSI recommends an update for your exact laptop, follow its instructions. Avoid unofficial driver packages or firmware intended for another Sword version.
• Remember that lighting effects may be limited. Some keyboards offer only a light on/off or brightness cycle, while supported RGB models may offer colors or effects. If the app does not show color controls, the hardware may not support them.

Troubleshooting

The shortcut does nothing: Confirm that your keyboard has a backlight and that you are pressing the key with the keyboard-light icon. Test both Fn + that key and the key by itself, since the Fn-key mode can change how the top row behaves. If you cannot find an icon, check the manual using the full model number. A Windows restart is a reasonable next step if the shortcut used to work but stopped responding.

The light turns on but immediately goes off: Press the shortcut again to check whether you have cycled to an off state or a different brightness level. Then check the model-supported lighting app for a brightness, effect, or saved-profile setting. If the change happens after startup, review whether the app has a profile or startup option; menu names differ across versions and models.

The software has no keyboard-light option: First confirm that the utility is intended for your exact Sword model and that it is installed correctly. Some models do not use that utility, and some do not offer software customization. Check MSI’s support page and manual before reinstalling apps. If the manual says the model supports a feature that is missing, use MSI’s recommended software package for that model rather than a third-party download.

Only part of the keyboard lights: Check whether the model has separately controlled zones or an effect that illuminates only selected areas. Choose a steady, all-keys effect if the supported software provides one, or cycle the hardware lighting modes. If individual keys remain dark under every supported effect, note which keys are affected and contact MSI support or a qualified repair provider.

The keyboard has no visible light at all: Try the documented shortcut in a dim room, check the supported app, and restart once. If the exact model’s specifications do not list a backlit keyboard, there may be no light to enable. If they do list one and none of the documented controls work, contact MSI support with the model number and describe the steps you have tried. Avoid opening the laptop to inspect the keyboard unless you are qualified to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the usual MSI Sword keyboard-light shortcut?
On many MSI laptops, it is Fn + the function key marked with a keyboard-light icon, often F8. The exact shortcut can vary, so check the icon and the manual for your Sword model.

Can I turn on the keyboard light without the Fn key?
Possibly. If the function-key mode sends special functions without Fn, pressing the marked key alone may work. Try both methods; consult the manual if you are unsure which mode your laptop uses.

Can I change the keyboard color?
Only if your particular keyboard supports color customization. Some models have a single-color backlight or basic brightness controls, while supported RGB configurations may offer color or effect settings in compatible software.

Does every MSI Sword laptop have a backlit keyboard?
No. Configurations can differ, so verify the exact model’s specifications or manual. If the keyboard is not backlit, there is no setting that can add a physical light.

Why is MSI Center not showing a lighting control?
The feature may not be supported by your model, may be handled by another MSI-recommended utility, or may require a supported software component. Check the exact model’s MSI support page rather than installing software made for a different laptop.

Will turning on the keyboard light affect the screen brightness?
No. Keyboard backlighting and display brightness are separate controls. Use the keyboard-light icon for the keys and the display or sun icons for the screen.