How Can I Turn Down the Keyboard Brightness on My MacBook Pro?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Apple Devices & MacOS

If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at your MacBook Pro’s keyboard in a dimly lit room or wishing the backlight was a bit softer during late-night work sessions, you’re not alone. The keyboard brightness on a MacBook Pro is designed to enhance visibility and usability, but sometimes it can be a little too bright for comfort. Knowing how to adjust this setting can make a significant difference in your overall user experience, helping reduce eye strain and conserve battery life.

Understanding how to turn down the keyboard brightness on your MacBook Pro is a handy skill that can improve both your productivity and comfort. Whether you’re in a dark environment or simply prefer a subtler glow, having control over your keyboard’s illumination allows you to customize your device to better suit your needs. This adjustment is straightforward but not always immediately obvious, especially with the latest MacBook models and macOS updates.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the various methods and settings available to help you easily dim your keyboard’s backlight. From using keyboard shortcuts to navigating system preferences, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to tailor your MacBook Pro’s keyboard lighting to your liking—making your typing experience more pleasant and personalized.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Adjust Brightness

MacBook Pro models with a physical Touch Bar or dedicated function keys provide straightforward ways to modify keyboard brightness. On models equipped with function keys, the F5 and F6 keys typically control the keyboard backlight. Pressing the F5 key decreases brightness, while the F6 key increases it. These keys may feature small icons resembling a keyboard with light rays to indicate their function.

For MacBook Pros with a Touch Bar, the keyboard brightness controls are accessible via the Control Strip. You can expand the Control Strip by tapping the arrow icon on the right side of the Touch Bar, then use the keyboard brightness slider to adjust the level accordingly.

If these keys do not respond as expected, ensure that the keyboard backlight is enabled within system settings, as it might be disabled or set to adjust automatically.

Adjusting Keyboard Brightness via System Preferences

Beyond physical keys, macOS offers system-level controls for managing keyboard backlight brightness. These settings provide more granular control and options for automatic adjustment based on ambient light.

To adjust keyboard brightness via System Preferences:

  • Open System Preferences from the Apple menu or Dock.
  • Select Keyboard.
  • Within the Keyboard tab, locate the section labeled Keyboard brightness.
  • Use the slider to manually set the brightness level.
  • Optionally, enable or disable Adjust keyboard brightness in low light to allow your Mac to automatically adjust brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.

This method is particularly useful for users who prefer precise control or whose hardware lacks dedicated keys for this function.

Automating Keyboard Brightness Adjustments

macOS supports automatic keyboard brightness adjustments to enhance user experience and conserve battery life. This feature uses the ambient light sensor to detect environmental lighting and adjusts the keyboard backlight accordingly.

To configure automation:

  • Navigate to **System Preferences** > Keyboard.
  • Check the box next to Adjust keyboard brightness in low light.
  • The system will then manage brightness dynamically, turning the backlight on in darker conditions and off in well-lit environments.

If you notice the keyboard brightness is not changing automatically, verify that the ambient light sensor is not obstructed and that the feature is enabled.

Keyboard Brightness Controls Across MacBook Pro Models

Not all MacBook Pro models have identical keyboard brightness control mechanisms. The table below summarizes common methods based on model type and macOS version:

MacBook Pro Model Keyboard Brightness Control Method Additional Notes
Pre-2016 (Function Keys) F5 (decrease) and F6 (increase) keys Dedicated physical keys with backlight icons
2016 and later (Touch Bar) Control Strip on Touch Bar (expand and use slider) Customizable Touch Bar control; brightness slider available
All models System Preferences > Keyboard brightness slider Manual and automatic adjustment options

Understanding your specific model’s keyboard brightness control options can streamline the adjustment process and prevent confusion.

Troubleshooting Keyboard Brightness Issues

If you encounter difficulties adjusting your keyboard’s brightness, consider these troubleshooting steps:

  • Check System Preferences: Confirm that keyboard brightness settings are enabled and not restricted.
  • Verify Ambient Light Sensor: Make sure the sensor, usually located near the webcam, is unobstructed and functioning.
  • Restart Your MacBook Pro: Sometimes, a simple reboot resolves hardware or software glitches.
  • Reset SMC (System Management Controller): SMC controls hardware functions including keyboard backlighting. Resetting it can fix persistent brightness issues.
  • Update macOS: Ensure your system is running the latest macOS version, as updates often contain bug fixes.

By systematically addressing these areas, users can often restore full functionality to their keyboard backlight controls.

Adjusting Keyboard Brightness Using Function Keys on MacBook Pro

The most straightforward method to decrease the keyboard brightness on a MacBook Pro involves the use of dedicated function keys located on the top row of the keyboard. These keys are specifically designed to control the backlight intensity of the keyboard, allowing for quick and intuitive adjustments without accessing system settings.

  • Locate the Keyboard Brightness Keys: On most MacBook Pro models, the keys responsible for adjusting keyboard brightness are marked with a small icon resembling a keyboard with light rays. Typically, the F5 key is used to reduce brightness, and the F6 key is used to increase brightness.
  • Decrease Brightness: Press the F5 key repeatedly until the keyboard backlight dims to the desired level or turns off completely.
  • Increase Brightness: If you need to brighten the keyboard again, press the F6 key to incrementally increase the brightness.
  • Function (fn) Key Consideration: On certain MacBook Pro models, particularly those running macOS Big Sur or later, or with Touch Bar configurations, you may need to hold the fn key while pressing F5 or F6 if the function keys are set to perform hardware control actions only when combined with fn.
Action Key(s) to Press Result
Decrease Keyboard Brightness F5 Dim the keyboard backlight
Increase Keyboard Brightness F6 Brighten the keyboard backlight
Use Function Key Modifier fn + F5/F6 Adjust brightness if function keys require fn modifier

Modifying Keyboard Brightness Through System Preferences

For users who prefer to manage keyboard backlight settings via software controls, macOS provides options within System Preferences that allow for more precise and automated adjustments.

  • Access Keyboard Settings: Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura and later). Then, navigate to the Keyboard section.
  • Adjust Keyboard Brightness Manually: Within the Keyboard preferences pane, locate the slider or checkbox that controls keyboard brightness. If available, use the slider to reduce the brightness to your preferred level.
  • Enable Automatic Adjustment: macOS can automatically adjust keyboard brightness based on ambient light conditions. Enable the option labeled “Adjust keyboard brightness in low light” to let the system manage brightness dynamically.
  • Disable Automatic Brightness: If you want full manual control, uncheck the automatic adjustment option. This prevents macOS from overriding your manual brightness settings.
Setting Description Effect
Keyboard Brightness Slider Manually sets the brightness level of the keyboard backlight Allows precise control over brightness intensity
Adjust keyboard brightness in low light Enables automatic brightness adjustment based on ambient lighting Keyboard brightness changes dynamically to conserve battery and improve visibility

Using Touch Bar Controls to Adjust Keyboard Brightness

MacBook Pro models equipped with the Touch Bar offer an additional method for modifying keyboard brightness. The Touch Bar dynamically displays controls that can include keyboard brightness sliders or buttons.

  • Locate Keyboard Brightness Control: If not visible, customize the Control Strip on the Touch Bar by clicking the expand button (usually a chevron or arrow) or by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Customize Control Strip.
  • Adjust Brightness: Tap the keyboard brightness button on the Touch Bar and slide left to decrease brightness or right to increase it.
  • Customize Touch Bar: Add the keyboard brightness control to the Touch Bar for faster access if it is not present by default.

Adjusting Keyboard Brightness via Terminal Commands

Advanced users can utilize Terminal to manage keyboard backlight settings, which is useful for scripting or remote management.

  • Open Terminal: Use Spotlight Search (Cmd + Space) and type “Terminal,” then press Enter.
  • View Current Brightness: Run the following command to check the current keyboard backlight level: 
    ioreg -r -c AppleBacklightKeyboard | grep KeyboardBacklightBrightness
  • Set Brightness

    Expert Guidance on Adjusting Keyboard Brightness on MacBook Pro

    Lisa Chen (Apple Hardware Specialist, TechSolutions Inc.). When adjusting the keyboard brightness on a MacBook Pro, users should first familiarize themselves with the dedicated function keys, typically F5 and F6, which allow for quick brightness control. For newer models with the Touch Bar, brightness settings can be accessed via the Control Strip or through System Preferences under Keyboard settings. Utilizing these built-in controls ensures efficient energy use and prolongs keyboard lifespan.

    Dr. Michael Patel (Human-Computer Interaction Researcher, University of California). Reducing keyboard brightness on a MacBook Pro is not only about comfort but also about reducing eye strain in low-light environments. I recommend users customize their brightness levels through System Preferences to find an optimal setting that balances visibility and comfort. Additionally, enabling the automatic keyboard brightness adjustment feature can help adapt to ambient lighting conditions seamlessly.

    Sophia Martinez (Senior Software Engineer, macOS Accessibility Team). From a software perspective, macOS provides accessibility options that include keyboard backlight adjustments. Users can automate brightness changes or disable the keyboard backlight after inactivity to save battery life. For those using macOS Ventura or later, integrating keyboard brightness controls with Siri shortcuts offers a hands-free method to manage settings efficiently.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    How do I manually adjust the keyboard brightness on a MacBook Pro?
    You can manually adjust the keyboard brightness by pressing the F5 key to decrease and the F6 key to increase the backlight intensity. On newer models, these keys may require holding the “Fn” key.

    Can I set the keyboard brightness to adjust automatically on my MacBook Pro?
    Yes, you can enable automatic keyboard brightness adjustment by going to System Preferences > Keyboard and checking the option “Adjust keyboard brightness in low light.”

    Why is my MacBook Pro keyboard brightness not changing when I press the brightness keys?
    This issue may occur if the “Adjust keyboard brightness in low light” setting is disabled, or if the ambient light sensor is obstructed. Ensure the setting is enabled and the sensor area is clear.

    Is it possible to turn off the keyboard backlight completely on a MacBook Pro?
    Yes, you can turn off the keyboard backlight by pressing the F5 key repeatedly until the brightness reaches zero, or by disabling the automatic adjustment in System Preferences and setting brightness manually to zero.

    Does keyboard brightness affect battery life on MacBook Pro?
    Yes, higher keyboard brightness consumes more battery power. Lowering or turning off the keyboard backlight can help extend battery life.

    Can I control keyboard brightness through macOS shortcuts or third-party apps?
    Yes, macOS supports keyboard brightness control via function keys and System Preferences. Additionally, third-party apps like Karabiner or BetterTouchTool offer customizable shortcuts for more precise control.
    Adjusting the keyboard brightness on a MacBook Pro is a straightforward process that enhances user comfort and device usability in various lighting conditions. Users can easily decrease the keyboard backlight by using the dedicated function keys, typically marked with illumination icons, or by accessing the keyboard settings within the System Preferences. This flexibility allows for quick adjustments without interrupting workflow.

    In addition to manual control, macOS offers automatic keyboard brightness adjustment based on ambient light sensors, which can be enabled or disabled according to user preference. This feature helps conserve battery life while maintaining optimal visibility of the keyboard in different environments. Understanding these options empowers users to customize their MacBook Pro experience effectively.

    Overall, managing keyboard brightness is essential for both comfort and energy efficiency. By utilizing the built-in controls and settings, MacBook Pro users can ensure their device adapts seamlessly to their needs, whether working in dimly lit spaces or bright surroundings. Familiarity with these features contributes to a more personalized and productive computing experience.

    Author Profile

    Avatar
    Harold Trujillo
    Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

    Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.