Backlit keyboard still has power after turning off computer.

RDG · Sep 16, 2024

My ThinkCenter M720s running Win11 has 8 USB slots, 4 in the back and 4 in the front. I have the keyboard (& mouse, external HD, DVD player) plugged into the back. Device manager has the following listed:

1st: Intel USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.10 (Microsoft) and is set to allow computer to turn off device to save power.

2nd: USB Composite Device and there is no power management option.

3rd & 4th: USB Mass Storage Device, but I only have one external hard drive plugged in. Maybe the other is the LG DVD player that is plugged in. Both have power management set to computer control.

5th: USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and power management is set to computer control.

None of the above are set to allow the connected device to wake the computer. Since there are 8 USB ports, I confess I expected to find each listed and perhaps to discover into which the keyboard was plugged in.

I also separately disabled the ability of the keyboard and mouse to wake the computer but the power management option of allowing the computer to turn off either device to save power is whited out and cannot be selected.

Despite my efforts, the lighted keyboard remains on after the computer is powered off. The only way to turn it off is to switch off the surge protector into which the computer is plugged in.

This just seems totally wrong. Is there some other way to control this behavior?

Catnip · Sep 16, 2024

Actually, that is pretty normal. My USB devices stay powered even after my PC is shut down. I have to turn off the surge protector to get them to shut off. There is a setting in most BIOSes that allow you to turn off this behaviour if you want to. I didn't, so that I can charge my phone with the PC off overnight.

I will say, however, that my keyboard does not stay lit when the PC is off, even though its USB port is powered. I wonder why mine shuts off and yours stays lit? I have a Logitech G815 if that helps any.

RDG · Sep 16, 2024

Someone on another forum said I had to change this in BIOS. And as I was reading about how to do it, I believe there was mention that not all USB ports on a computer supported this function, which is intended, where the keyboard is the one that has constant power, to allow use of certain combined keystrokes (don't recall them) to boot or start the computer from the keyboard. I don't think what I've recalled is completely accurate, but if it interests you, I daresay the info is out there. In BIOS, Power, Smart Power On I changed enabled to disabled and it worked! Do you or can you boot from your keyboard?

hsehestedt · Sep 16, 2024

Some computers will continue to supply power to the USB ports so that you can do things like charge your phone even with power switched off. On some PCs, there are only some ports that remain powered on so it might be worth trying other ports. Also, this is often something that can be switched off either in the BIOS or with a separate utility. I have an old MSI MB that has a utility specifically for this purpose.

RDG · Sep 16, 2024

Catnip said:
Actually, that is pretty normal. My USB devices stay powered even after my PC is shut down. I have to turn off the surge protector to get them to shut off. There is a setting in most BIOSes that allow you to turn off this behaviour if you want to. I didn't, so that I can charge my phone with the PC off overnight.

I will say, however, that my keyboard does not stay lit when the PC is off, even though its USB port is powered. I wonder why mine shuts off and yours stays lit? I have a Logitech G815 if that helps any.

I failed to quote you in my reply so you may have missed it, but I did make the change via BIOS as explained in my other comment. Thanks.

RDG · Sep 16, 2024

hsehestedt said:
Some computers will continue to supply power to the USB ports so that you can do things like charge your phone even with power switched off. On some PCs, there are only some ports that remain powered on so it might be worth trying other ports. Also, this is often something that can be switched off either in the BIOS or with a separate utility. I have an old MSI MB that has a utility specifically for this purpose.

Yes, I was able to turn it off in BIOS. I have other options for charging devices so was glad to be able to turn this off.

Berton · Sep 16, 2024

Just a comment, the old AT motherboards had them connected directly to the power supply and the On|Off switch connected to the power supply. The change to ATX boards has the power supply connected to the board and the On|Off switch is also connected to the motherboard, pressing the switch tells the board to get things started. The motherboard is usually not fully off unless holding switch in for 8-10 seconds or pulling power cord out of the case or turning off the surge protector. [Don't use a standard power bar.]

thecaretaker · Sep 16, 2024

On my Gigabyte motherboard there is a setting called ErP (Energy-Related Products). When enabled in the bios, it turns all USB's off when the computer is shutdown. It helps Gigabyte comply with European energy efficiency regulations.

RDG · Sep 16, 2024

Berton said:
Just a comment, the old AT motherboards had them connected directly to the power supply and the On|Off switch connected to the power supply. The change to ATX boards has the power supply connected to the board and the On|Off switch is also connected to the motherboard, pressing the switch tells the board to get things started. The motherboard is usually not fully off unless holding switch in for 8-10 seconds or pulling power cord out of the case or turning off the surge protector. [Don't use a standard power bar.]

My old Lenovo ThinkPad x250 had an "always on" USB port and I knew about it from the specs when I bought it. I was able to turn it off with Device Manager. I bought this PC refurbished and since I could find nothing in the user manual mentioning such for this unit nor find any way to turn it off. I confess that despite being able to use the surge protector to turn it off, I worried that it might be a sign of something done wrong when it was refurbished. But, if I understand your correctly the power is still there, albeit not enabled. Regardless, as this is in my bedroom, the backlit keyboard remaining on was not welcome!

RDG · Sep 16, 2024

thecaretaker said:
On my Gigabyte motherboard there is a setting called ErP (Energy-Related Products). When enabled in the bios, it turns all USB's off when the computer is shutdown. It helps Gigabyte comply with European energy efficiency regulations.

I agree with the European energy regs. All these devices with their little green or blue lights (or not so little) to show they are "on" drive me nuts. I'm old school and conditioned to turn off the lights!

retexan599 · Sep 17, 2024

RDG said:
I agree with the European energy regs. All these devices with their little green or blue lights (or not so little) to show they are "on" drive me nuts. I'm old school and conditioned to turn off the lights!

I bought a sheet of these little transparent LED dimmers to minimize this problem. They have helped.

LightDims: Dim Led Lights, Halos Around Lights For Light Sensitive Eyes!

www.lightdims.com

Catnip · Sep 17, 2024

RDG said:
I failed to quote you in my reply so you may have missed it, but I did make the change via BIOS as explained in my other comment. Thanks.

No worries, I assumed that was directed at me.

I am glad that you got it working. The way that USB power is implemented on motherboards can be a little tricky to set up in BIOS, because they all seem to be different. I have noticed that the best place to plug in a keyboard and mouse is still the connectors on the very left hand side as you look at the back of the IO panel, where the old PS/2 ports used to be on old motherboards. Those ports seem to be optimized for using input devices like keyboards. I should note that my keyboard behaves weirdly when plugged into other USB ports until I reboot a few times and the PC learns how to handle the keyboard in that port. That's on my Gigabyte Aorus Elite x570 Wifi anyway.

RDG · Sep 17, 2024

Catnip said:
No worries, I assumed that was directed at me.

I am glad that you got it working. The way that USB power is implemented on motherboards can be a little tricky to set up in BIOS, because they all seem to be different. I have noticed that the best place to plug in a keyboard and mouse is still the connectors on the very left hand side as you look at the back of the IO panel, where the old PS/2 ports used to be on old motherboards. Those ports seem to be optimized for using input devices like keyboards. I should note that my keyboard behaves weirdly when plugged into other USB ports until I reboot a few times and the PC learns how to handle the keyboard in that port. That's on my Gigabyte Aorus Elite x570 Wifi anyway.

I wonder if I, by sheer luck, had used those ports for the keyboard and mouse if that would have prevented the problem, or at least for me was a problem. Apparently it is a feature of ???Win11?? or ??? to have power always on to a keyboard so that it can be used to boot or start the computer. I just feel lucky and grateful that once again, people who know a great deal more than I do, were able to help me. I'm a happy camper now, loving the speed of the ThinkCentre and that File Explorer, in Win11, is almost as good as it was in Win7. It was awful in Win10. Thanks again.

Catnip · Sep 18, 2024

I have never booted with my keyboard. I don't know how, but I am now curious if I can turn on the PC with a couple of keystrokes?

It beats searching under my desk for the "on" button.

RDG · Sep 18, 2024

Catnip said:
I have never booted with my keyboard. I don't know how, but I am now curious if I can turn on the PC with a couple of keystrokes?

It beats searching under my desk for the "on" button.

I believe. Of course, using any key on the keyboard will wake a "sleeping" computer, won't it? That was the case with my laptop and there is a setting in Device Manager to allow that. I have my ThinkCentre on a shelf within easy reach. My only complaint is that the button is black just like the chassis. Let me know if you get it to work. In Win11Pro BIOS, under Power, I found the option "Smart Power On". Out of curiosity I just had a quick look. Part of the instructions had this to say: "Disabling ERP Mode - Lastly, it’s important to address the ‘ERP Mode’ setting. ERP stands for Energy-Related Products, and this mode is designed to reduce your computer’s power consumption when it’s turned off or in sleep mode. However, enabling ERP Mode prevents the keyboard from turning on the PC. To ensure that your keyboard can turn on your computer, you’ll need to disable ERP Mode. This will allow the necessary power to be supplied to USB ports, so the keyboard wake-up function can work properly. PS: Some people have reported that after disabling ERP, their keyboard’s RGB lights stay on even when the PC is turned off." That last bit explains why my keboard stayed lit!. I cannot recall why, but I disabled the sleep setting because of some frustration I was having when setting up this pc. I opted to just turn it off when I'm not using it since it boots super fast.

jvickers · Sep 18, 2024

Catnip said:
I have never booted with my keyboard. I don't know how, but I am now curious if I can turn on the PC with a couple of keystrokes?

It beats searching under my desk for the "on" button.

You can't turn on your computer with your keyboard to my knowledge.* You can wake it if it's asleep, but that's not the same thing. Looks like you're stuck searching under the desk for the power button.

*I'm sure if you put a USB switch and connected it to the power posts and connected it to a switch on your keyboard, you could power it on. @badrobot has his daughter's computer hooked up to a big, red button that she can turn the system on and off with without touching the power button. It's work to do, but if you're up for it, I'd see if he could give you some advice.

RDG · Sep 18, 2024

jvickers said:
You can't turn on your computer with your keyboard to my knowledge.* You can wake it if it's asleep, but that's not the same thing. Looks like you're stuck searching under the desk for the power button.

*I'm sure if you put a USB switch and connected it to the power posts and connected it to a switch on your keyboard, you could power it on. @badrobot has his daughter's computer hooked up to a big, red button that she can turn the system on and off with without touching the power button. It's work to do, but if you're up for it, I'd see if he could give you some advice.

I wonder if it take a keyboard with a power button. Can't say that it makes any sense to have always have a keyboard powered. I'm using a wired keyboard but I do have a wireless Logitech keyboard that has a power button. Is it for something like that where the USB plugged into that slot has a wireless connection? As for me, I'm just glad my backlit keyboard powers off when I shut the computer off!

jvickers · Sep 18, 2024

RDG said:
I wonder if it take a keyboard with a power button. Can't say that it makes any sense to have always have a keyboard powered. I'm using a wired keyboard but I do have a wireless Logitech keyboard that has a power button. Is it for something like that where the USB plugged into that slot has a wireless connection? As for me, I'm just glad my backlit keyboard powers off when I shut the computer off!

I'm not sure if they make keyboards with power buttons. If you did, you'd still have to rewire your computer to connect it to your computer's power posts on your motherboard.

I had a voice activated Windows 10 system that would power on by voice. It does require some amount of set up, though. I did away with the voice activated part when I upgraded it to Windows 11 for my wife to work on. She hates voice activation for some reason.

RDG · Sep 18, 2024

How to Power on PC Remotely & From Wireless Keyboard

jvickers · Sep 18, 2024

RDG said:
How to Power on PC Remotely & From Wireless Keyboard

Maybe you should rewatch the first minute or so of the video. That power button puts the PC into hibernation mode. It does not actually power on and off the system. There is a difference.

Backlit keyboard still has power after turning off computer.

Active member

My Computer

Forum Nitwit

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Active member

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Ret. ATC

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Forum Nitwit

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Forum Nitwit

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

The lunatics have taken over the asylum

My Computers

Active member

My Computer

The lunatics have taken over the asylum

My Computers

Active member

My Computer

The lunatics have taken over the asylum

My Computers

Similar threads