In the vibrant world of PC customization, one of the most eye - catching elements is the ability to change the RGB keyboard color. Whether you're looking to match your setup's aesthetic, enhance your gaming immersion, or simply add a touch of personal style, customizing your keyboard's lighting can make a significant difference. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to change the RGB keyboard color on Windows 10 and 11.
Before you start the customization process, it's crucial to confirm that your keyboard actually has RGB lighting capabilities. Not all keyboards are equipped with this feature. For built - in laptop keyboards, refer to your laptop's user manual or the manufacturer's website. Many gaming laptops, such as those from brands like Dell (Alienware series), HP (OMEN series), Lenovo (Legion series), and ASUS (ROG series), often come with RGB - backlit keyboards.
If you're using an external keyboard, check the product packaging, the keyboard itself (it may have RGB - related markings), or visit the manufacturer's official site. Brands like Corsair, Razer, Logitech, and SteelSeries are well - known for their RGB - enabled mechanical and membrane keyboards.
Some keyboards, especially those on laptops, offer keyboard shortcuts to quickly change the RGB color. These shortcuts typically involve the "Fn" key in combination with other keys. Common combinations include:
Fn + C: This is a frequently used shortcut on many laptops. Pressing these two keys simultaneously may cycle through different pre - set colors or open a color - selection menu.
Fn + Spacebar: In some cases, this combination can turn on the keyboard backlight and may also cycle through colors if your keyboard supports it.
Fn + Alt (usually the right - hand Alt key): This might be used to change the lighting mode or color on certain keyboards.
Fn + numbers (e.g., Fn + 1, Fn + 2, etc.): Some keyboards use these combinations to switch between different pre - defined lighting profiles or colors.
However, not all keyboards have these shortcuts, and the available combinations can vary widely depending on the manufacturer and model.
For most RGB keyboards, the best way to fully customize the lighting is through the software provided by the keyboard's manufacturer.
Download and Install: Visit the Razer website and download the latest version of Razer Synapse. Install the software on your Windows 10/11 PC.
Connect Your Keyboard: Plug in your Razer RGB keyboard if it's not already connected.
Open Razer Synapse: Launch the application. It will detect your keyboard automatically.
Access Lighting Settings: Click on the "Lighting" tab. Here, you'll find a plethora of options. You can choose from pre - set lighting effects like "Breathing," "Spectrum Cycling," or "Static." To set a custom color for the entire keyboard or individual keys:
For the Whole Keyboard: Select "Static" as the lighting effect. Then, click on the color wheel to choose your desired color.
For Individual Keys: Some Razer keyboards allow per - key customization. Look for options to select individual keys or groups of keys and assign unique colors to them.
Save Your Profile: Once you're satisfied with your settings, save your profile. You can create multiple profiles and switch between them depending on your needs, such as a gaming - specific profile and a work - friendly profile.
Download and Install: Go to the Corsair website and download Corsair iCUE. Install it on your Windows system.
Connect and Detect: Connect your Corsair RGB keyboard, and iCUE will detect it.
Navigate to Lighting Effects: In the iCUE software, select your keyboard from the list of detected devices. Then, click on the "Lighting Effects" section.
Customize Lighting: You can choose from a wide range of pre - built lighting effects, such as "Rainbow Wave," "Color Pulse," etc. To set a custom color:
Select "Static" from the list of effects. A color picker will appear. Use it to choose your color.
You can also adjust the brightness and set the lighting to affect the entire keyboard or specific zones, depending on your keyboard model.
Create and Save Profiles: Similar to Razer Synapse, you can create multiple profiles in iCUE. For example, you might have one profile with a calm blue color for working and another with a vibrant, multi - colored setup for gaming.
Download and Install: Head to the Logitech website to download Logitech G Hub. Install the software on your PC.
Connect Your Keyboard: Plug in your Logitech RGB keyboard. G Hub will detect it.
Access RGB Lighting Menu: Open Logitech G Hub and select your keyboard. Then, find the "Lighting" menu.
Customize Settings: In the lighting menu, you can choose from pre - set lighting effects or create your own. To set a custom color:
Select "Solid Color" as the lighting effect. Use the color palette to pick your color.
Some Logitech keyboards support zone - based lighting. You can customize the color of different zones on the keyboard to create unique lighting patterns.
Save Profiles: Save your customized lighting profiles for easy access later.
Download and Install: Download SteelSeries Engine from the SteelSeries official website and install it on your Windows 10/11 computer.
Connect and Configure: Connect your SteelSeries RGB keyboard. The software will recognize it.
Go to Illumination Tab: In SteelSeries Engine, select your keyboard device and then click on the "Illumination" tab.
Customize Lighting: Here, you can modify colors, choose from various lighting effects like "Breathe," "Cycle," etc. To set a custom color:
Select the lighting effect you want, such as "Static." Then, use the color selector to pick your desired color.
You can also create custom profiles and assign different lighting settings to each profile.
If you have an RGB keyboard from a less - well - known brand or if you want to control multiple RGB devices from different manufacturers with a single software, OpenRGB can be a great option. OpenRGB is an open - source lighting control program.
Download OpenRGB: Visit the official OpenRGB website and download the software.
Check Compatibility: Before proceeding, check OpenRGB's compatibility list to ensure that your keyboard is supported.
Disable Other RGB Controllers: If you have other RGB controller software installed (like Razer Synapse, Logitech G Hub, etc.), it's recommended to disable or uninstall them. This can prevent conflicts.
Run OpenRGB as Administrator: The first time you open OpenRGB, right - click on the "OpenRGB.exe" file and select "Run as administrator." You may need to enter your password to continue.
Detect Your Keyboard: OpenRGB will detect your RGB devices. Locate your keyboard on the left - hand side of the application window. It will be labeled with a keyboard icon and the keyboard's name.
Customize Settings: Once you've selected your keyboard, you can customize the RGB settings. You can choose from pre - made RGB modes or create your own unique lighting patterns. The available settings depend on your keyboard model.
Adjust Brightness and Effects: Click on the "Lighting" tab to adjust your keyboard's brightness and select from different lighting effects in the dropdown menu on the right - hand side.
In some cases, especially with certain laptop models, you can adjust the RGB keyboard color in the BIOS. This method is a bit more advanced and should be used with caution, as incorrect BIOS changes can affect your system's functionality.
Enter BIOS: Restart your laptop. As the laptop boots up, look for a message on the screen that tells you which key to press to enter the BIOS. Common keys are "F2," "Del," or "Esc." Press the appropriate key repeatedly until the BIOS menu appears.
Navigate to Keyboard Settings: Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate through the BIOS menu. Look for a section related to "System Configuration," "Peripherals," or something similar. In this section, you may find an option for "RGB Keyboard Backlight" or "Keyboard Lighting."
Change Color Settings: Once you've found the RGB keyboard setting, you can use the input boxes or the available options to change the color. Some laptops may only allow you to add a limited number of custom colors (e.g., two additional colors in addition to the default ones).
Save and Exit: After making your changes, save the settings in the BIOS. Usually, you can do this by pressing "F10" and then selecting "Yes" to confirm. Your laptop will then restart with the new RGB keyboard color settings.
Changing the RGB keyboard color on Windows 10/11 is a fun and rewarding way to personalize your computing experience. Whether you prefer the simplicity of keyboard shortcuts, the comprehensive control of manufacturer - specific software, the flexibility of third - party applications like OpenRGB, or the advanced options in the BIOS (for some laptops), there's a method that suits your needs. Experiment with different colors, lighting effects, and profiles to create a keyboard setup that truly reflects your style and enhances your productivity or gaming performance.
