Unibody keyboard lights getting weak

[VSMacOne]

I just noticed this the other day when my friend had his day old MacBook out and I was helping him set it up. When I sat it next to mine, I noticed that his keyboard lights are WAY brighter than mine. Then I started realizing that they used to be brighter back in the day. What could be causing this? Could it be from an application?
My MB is only 5 months old, and I've had the Moshi Clearguard for about 3 months now. Do you think the cover would have anything to do with the lights being weaker?

This is puzzling...:confused: Has anybody else noticed this?

[Burning Radio]

Was it in the same room. (same ambient light?)

[Pixellated]

Was it in the same room. (same ambient light?)

He said it was next to his, so it would be.

[Burning Radio]

He said it was next to his, so it would be.

:p sorry!

[VSMacOne]

yeah trust me, I double checked the light, the level, everything.

[226896]

Get it checked out at an :apple: store.

[VSMacOne]

Get it checked out at an :apple: store.

I wonder though if they're gonna say something like.. Oh we don't see it! :confused:

[Illicit]

I wonder though if they're gonna say something like.. Oh we don't see it! :confused:
If they can't reproduce it, it doesn't get fixed.
Record it!

[Skeletal-dæmon]

Try the simple things first. When the keyboard is lit, press and hold F6 and see if this helps. After that, if you have a desk light and a dark room handy, try moving the desk light away from the MacBook, to activate the ambient light sensor. The keyboard should initially start off bright, then get dimmer when the light drops further. If it remains at the same dim level, you may have an ambient light sensor problem unless the screen dims in the same correlation as above, in which case it'll be a voltage issue.

[Darkroom]

is auto dimming turned on under System Preferences > Keyboard?

[sosaysiburke]

ya its probably just the auto dimming. mine does not light up on the battery in well lit rooms its probably just not getting the same light .

[VSMacOne]

If they can't reproduce it, it doesn't get fixed.
Record it!
Nothing to record. It's how they are all the time now.

Try the simple things first. When the keyboard is lit, press and hold F6 and see if this helps. After that, if you have a desk light and a dark room handy, try moving the desk light away from the MacBook, to activate the ambient light sensor. The keyboard should initially start off bright, then get dimmer when the light drops further. If it remains at the same dim level, you may have an ambient light sensor problem unless the screen dims in the same correlation as above, in which case it'll be a voltage issue.

First things that I tried...

is auto dimming turned on under System Preferences > Keyboard?

I don't think it has anything to do with the dimming, as I am physically turning the lights up with F6 and they won't get any brighter.

ya its probably just the auto dimming. mine does not light up on the battery in well lit rooms its probably just not getting the same light .

Again, it doesn't seem to have anything to dow with the auto dimming.
When I have the lights turned all the way up, they are much weaker compared to my friend's MB.

[Darkroom]

do the backlit keys also dim a bit when running off of battery power much like the screen isn't as bright on battery power as opposed to being plugged in? if so, could that be the cause?

[VSMacOne]

do the backlit keys also dim a bit when running off of battery power much like the screen isn't as bright on battery power as opposed to being plugged in? if so, could that be the cause?

Don't think so. It makes no difference if i'm plugged in or running on battery.

[J&JPolangin]

...well if you've "tried" everything...take it in to get checked:rolleyes:

[VSMacOne]

...well if you've "tried" everything...take it in to get checked:rolleyes:

Well, I've tried EVERYTHING that I can think of, you don't have to be a smart alec.
I want to see if anybody else has noticed the same thing, or if anybody is aware of an application or different setting that would do this. That's why they call this a forum, right? :rolleyes:

[pellets007]

Well, I've tried EVERYTHING that I can think of, you don't have to be a smart alec.
I want to see if anybody else has noticed the same thing, or if anybody is aware of an application or different setting that would do this. That's why they call this a forum, right? :rolleyes:Lol, I found that somewhat ironic considering your avatar.:p

You haven't installed any software that allows you to turn your keys on/off regardless of the light, have you?

[CarlisleUnited]

Press fn+F6 to make sure the backlight is on as powerful as possible and then cover the iSight of your mac with your hand and see if the light dims on your macbook. Might be a sensor problem, Also clean your keys, that's all I can think of

[VSMacOne]

Can somebody post a picture of their keyboard light set on max?

[Darkroom]

because of exposure, contrast, and white balance, a photograph captured in low light and displayed on a computer screen (assuming Macbook LED backlit) is going to be a poor basis for comparison.

[Sareth]

because of exposure, contrast, and white balance, a photograph captured in low light and displayed on a computer screen (assuming Macbook LED backlit) is going to be a poor basis for comparison.

I think the only meaningful photo would be another comparison from someone who had a macbook of similar age and a new one as well, so at least they would be in the same conditions.

[VSMacOne]

Well, I just looked some up on Google, and it's very obvious from the right angle that my lights are much weaker. I'm not trying to be nit picky about it, but I'm just concerned that at this rate, they might die out in a few months... :(