Backlit woes

Hi guys, after some advice. Over a year ago I decommissioned my backlit via a pint of water on my laptop. The old Rice trick didn't do the trick.

Ordered and installed replacement backlit. Now, my terrible memory leads me to believe that, when I (my bro actually) first installed the backlit keyboard, functionality was available immediately thereafter, even during bootup I could toggle the status&brightness of the backlit keys.

Since the flood, however - nada. Installed some quickset thing that seems to re-add control&visibility of the backlit-keyboard config (aka windows mobility center, via winkey+x), but the keys don't light up.

So I'm asserting that either

- I've toasted that functionality, or
- I got a bad component (from China)

If anyone has any thoughts ... please share! My fate is in your hands.

Thanks guys

 

There is a keyboard diagnostic function. It may be in the bios, or through some startup key combination to enter diagnostic mode. The exact steps vary from model to model of del laptop. See if that passes or fails.

If it fails, then you either have a defective unit, or you have an improperly seated connector cable. Try disconnecting and reseating the cable.

The other possibility is that you received a laptop keyboard without backlighting on it at all. I don't know the exact model of laptop you have, but a lot of Dell parts are COMPATIBLE with several laptop models. Is it possible that you bought a laptop keyboard that doesn't have backlighting, but is compatible with your laptop?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

BTW, backlighting should work on laptop boot, regardless of how you have backlighting configured via the Dell Quickset utility in windows.

And backlighting is a feature of the laptop keyboard itself (and not part of the laptop chassis). So replacing the keyboard should fix any damaged backlighting capability, unless the water damage occurred near the few pjns on the laptop ribbon cable connector that controls backlighting functionality.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

I think it's unlikely. when I installed the quickset, and used the fn+f6 combo (i think) it showed the slide switch position. The keyboard I currently am using is my original - the F6 has no secondary function and is blank (other than the F6 label, obvs). This wasn't the case with my other... It's possible still I guess, my currently concern is the condition of these ribbon pins... my bro's the expert of electricals, so will have to run this past him.

EDIT: can anyone confirm if they have a non-backlit keyboard that does have the F6-backlight-function-icon? (Test my assertion)

I'm guessing the diagnostics not going to say anything about backlit unless I have that component connected.

Any model number and/or reputable vendor references?

It's the XPS l502, & I'm in the UK (usually using US keyboards)