- To enable Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11, open Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting, and turn on “Use Dynamic Lighting on devices.” Also, turn off “Compatible apps in the foreground always control lighting.”
- You can now configure the global lighting settings for all your devices, including brightness and effects.
- Alternatively, you can select the compatible RGB device and configure the Dynamic Lighting settings, such as color, themes, effects, and brightness. You can even match the Windows 11 accent color.
On Windows 11, it’s now possible to control RGB lighting on peripherals from the “Dynamic Lighting” page, and in this guide, you will learn how. Dynamic Lighting is a new feature that Microsoft has created to resolve the fragmentation of the many applications that users have to install to control different devices that offer LED lighting, such as those available on mice, desk mats, keyboards, monitors, and countless others.
The new feature provides a single experience to control lighting devices implementing the open HID LampArray standard without needing third-party software. Microsoft accomplishes this by working with device partners like Razer, Corsair, Logitech, and Asus.
This guide will teach you how to control devices with lighting capabilities on Windows 11 23H2 and higher releases.
Configure Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11
To set up Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11, connect the RGB accessories to your computer, use these steps:
-
Open Settings on Windows 11.
-
Click on Personalization.
-
Click the Dynamic Lighting tab.
-
Confirm the compatible RGB devices connected to your computer.
Quick tip: You can click on the device to access the lighting controls for that specific device or change the settings for all the accessories from the main Dynamic Lighting page. -
Turn on the “Use Dynamic Lighting on my devices” toggle switch to enable the RGB controls (if applicable).
-
(Optional) Turn off the “Compatible apps in the foreground always control lighting” toggle switch to manage the lighting with the Windows 11 controls instead of third-party apps installed on the computer.
-
Use the slider to set the brightness level of the lighting.
-
Click the “Effects” setting.
-
Select the lighting effect on your devices, for example, “Solid Color.”
-
Turn on the “Match my Windows accent color” toggle switch to sync the system color accent with the RGB lighting on your peripherals.
Quick tip: You can also use the “Select” button to create a custom color. -
(Optional) Choose from one of the additional five effects, including:
- Breathing – Slowly turns down and up the lights. It also includes a slider setting to control the effect speed.
- Rainbow – Cycles through different colors. The effects include an option to change the speed and direction (forward or reverse).
- Wave – Renders a wave-like effect with the RGB lighting on the device. You can also change the speed and direction (right, left, up, and down).
- Wheel – Allows you to choose two colors with a spiral effect. It’s possible to control the speed and direction (clockwise or counterclockwise).
- Gradient – Renders a gradual blending from one color to another color. The effect offers an option to change the direction (horizontal, vertical, or outward).
Once you complete the steps, the device should automatically reflect the lighting configuration specified in the Windows 11 settings.
When configuring devices with Dynamic Lighting, you can control many of the settings globally, but to use some specific effects, such as those that use multiple colors, will require changing the settings for the device individually.
In the early stages of the feature, Dynamic Lighting only works on a limited number of devices, including keyboads from Razer like BlackWidow V3 (and Pro, Mini, and Tenkeyless), BlackWidow V4 Pro, Razer DeathStalker V2 (and Pro and Pro TKL), Huntsman Mini (and Mini Analog), Huntsman Tournament Edition, Huntsman V2 (and V2 Analog and V2 Tenkeyless), Ornata V2, Ornata V3 (and V3 TKL), and Turret Keyboard Xbox One Edition.
For mice, Dynamic Lighting currently supports the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse, the Razer Turret Mouse Xbox One, DeathAdder V2 (and V2 Pro), Naga Left-Handed, and Naga Pro.
It’s important to note that even though the company is expected to make the support fully available, not every lighting device will be supported. This means that in some cases, you may still have to use the manufacturer’s software to control the lighting on specific devices.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].