How to use Dynamic Lighting (RGB) on Windows 11

• Dynamic Lighting lets you control compatible RGB accessories directly from Windows 11.
• You can change brightness, colors, and lighting effects from Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting.
• When configured, Windows 11 can control lighting instead of compatible third-party apps.
• Device compatibility varies, so not every RGB accessory will appear in Dynamic Lighting.

If you have a keyboard, mouse, headset, or other computer accessory with RGB lighting, you probably know how quickly things can get complicated. I’ve dealt with the hassle of installing separate apps just to change the lighting on different devices, which is one reason I find Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11 useful.

Dynamic Lighting gives me a single place on Windows 11 to control compatible RGB accessories without relying on a separate utility from every hardware manufacturer. From Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting, I can adjust brightness, change colors, apply lighting effects, and control whether compatible apps can control my RGB devices.

The feature works with devices that support the open HID LampArray standard, with hardware support from manufacturers such as Razer, Corsair, Logitech, and ASUS. However, not every RGB device is compatible, so what you see in the Dynamic Lighting settings can vary depending on your hardware.

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In this guide, I’ll show you how to set up and use Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11, including how to control brightness, colors, lighting effects, and whether compatible apps can take control of your RGB devices.

Configure Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11

To set up Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11, connect the RGB accessories and follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Personalization.

3. Click the Dynamic Lighting page.

4. 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.

5. Turn on the “Use Dynamic Lighting on my devices” toggle switch to enable the RGB controls (if applicable).

   

6. (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.

7. Set the lighting brightness level using the slider.

8. Click the “Effects” setting.

9. Select the lighting effect on your devices, for example, “Solid Color.”

   

10. 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.

11. (Optional) Choose from one of the additional five effects, including:

    

    • Breathing – Slowly turns the lights down and up. 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. You can also control the speed and direction (clockwise or counterclockwise).
    • Gradient – Renders a gradual blending from one color to another color. The effect lets you 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, you will need to change the settings for the device individually.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I’ve always found RGB lighting more complicated than it needs to be. Once you start using accessories from different manufacturers, having a separate app for each one can quickly become annoying, especially when all you really want to do is change a color or turn the lights off.

That’s why I think Dynamic Lighting makes sense. It doesn’t replace every manufacturer’s software, and compatibility is still something to watch, but having basic lighting controls built into the operating system is a much cleaner approach. I also like that I can let the system handle the lighting without keeping another utility around just for that purpose.

What are your thoughts about Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.