Very Unique Keyboard Backlight Problem, Tried Everything...

[MacMike81]

Hey gang, I disassembled my mid2010 unibody to clean and reapply thermal paste.

I got everything back together and now my keyboard backlight doesn't work. I tried unplugging and reinserting, resetting SMC.

When I reset the SMC and rebooted the keyboard lite up for a 1/2 second at the apple logo screen then went back out! I downloaded a app called LabTick and it turned the keyboard light on very dimly...

I thought maybe the webcam (used for ambient light sensor) didn't get plugged in? I checked FaceTime app and it displays video. Also my keys don't have any effect to turn the light up or down, they don't even display the icon on screen. Ive tried the fn F6 and fn F5 also...

I am stumped...

 

[MacMike81]

UPDATE

Its fixed! I backtracked, disassembled everything, reassembled triple checking everything was seated. reapplied tiny pieces of tape, I cut fresh pieces of electrical tape. reset SMC for the 3rd time. Powered on, and keyboard lights came on and I get the on screen icon of increase and decrease lights!

If i had to guess it was probably the backlight ribbon socket. It is very difficult to get it to engage. I ended up putting a piece of tape on the ribbon so I could pull firmly while I flipped down the gate.

anyhow, problem solved! Hope this helps someone.

 

[MacMike81]

UPDATE UPDATE.

It stopped working again... I was typing and it dimmed, I was still able to increase and decrease the brightness. Although it wouldnt go full bright.

I restarted and it didn’t come back on. I also lost the backlight option in the settings.

 

[MacMike81]

Ok, I figured it out. Its definitely the ribbon cable.

I power the Macbook on without the back cover and tapped the cable with a toothpick and sure enough the backlight went on and off.

Not sure if i am getting it in far enough or maybe there is something damaged. For now I built the area up right infront of the socket with tiny pieces of tape to give the cable some slight pressure... "It aint' stupid if it works" lol

Just has to last me until they announce the gen 2 M1 MBP, hopefully next year.