How to Turn Off the Backlight on a MacBook Air: A Comprehensive Guide

Many users of the MacBook Air may find themselves in need of reducing the screen brightness or completely turning off the backlight for various reasons, such as saving energy, decreasing eye strain, or preserving privacy. This guide will walk you through the process of turning off the backlight on your MacBook Air, whether for the screen or the keyboard, so you can achieve the desired brightness level or total darkness.

Turning Off the Screen Backlight via System Settings

One of the most straightforward ways to control the brightness of your MacBook Air screen is through the System Settings. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to turn off the backlight while keeping the screen on:

Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Next, click on the Displays tab. Look for the option labeled Automatically adjust brightness and uncheck it. This will allow you to manually control the brightness levels. Use the slider to adjust the brightness to a level you find comfortable, or adjust it further if needed. Alternatively, if you want to turn off the backlight completely, you can use the Dim Screen feature. With the Automatically adjust brightness option unchecked, lightly press the F1 or F2 keys on the top row of your keyboard. The screen brightness will dim gradually, and it will eventually turn off completely.

For a visual reference, you can refer to the screenshot from macOS 13.1 Ventura, which shows how to access these settings.

Turning Off the Keyboard Backlight

On certain MacBook Air models, you may also want to control the backlight for the keyboard. The process can vary slightly depending on the specific model of your MacBook Air:

For MacBook Air models with a built-in keyboard backlight, you can typically turn it off from the System Settings: Go to the System Settings again. Click on the Keyboard tab. Check the box labeled Disable keyboard backlight when caplocks, or Keyboard backlight if your version of macOS has a different wording. This option will turn off the backlight when the Caps Lock key is not pressed. Alternatively, you can use a gesture or press a key combination (if applicable) to manually turn off the keyboard backlight. Refer to the official documentation for your specific model to find the exact method.

Conclusion

By utilizing the system settings on your MacBook Air, you can effectively control the backlight for both the screen and the keyboard. Whether you need to save energy, reduce eye strain, or simply want a dark workspace, these steps will ensure you have the desired level of brightness or darkness.

Keywords: MacBook Air, Backlight Off, System Settings