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Where Is the Ambient Light Sensor on the Logitech MX Keys?

The MX Keys ambient light sensor is identified at the battery-status LED indicator beside the ON/OFF switch. It adjusts backlight brightness based on room light.
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On the Logitech MX Keys, the ambient light sensor is identified at the battery-status LED indicator in the control area beside the ON/OFF switch. Logitech’s overview groups the LED and sensor together; it does not pinpoint a separate sensor aperture more precisely.

Where to look on the MX Keys

Turn the keyboard’s control area into view and look beside the ON/OFF switch, at the battery-status LED indicator. Logitech labels this area “Battery status LED and ambient light sensor” in its MX Keys Getting Started guide. The documentation identifies the sensor as embedded but does not show a more exact location within that area.

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What the sensor does

The ambient light sensor reads the room’s brightness and adjusts the keyboard’s backlight accordingly, according to Logitech’s MX Keys guide. That guide gives these illustrative settings for the original MX Keys:

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Room brightness Backlight setting
Below 100 lux L2 / 25%
100–200 lux L4 / 50%
Above 200 lux L0 / off

The guide describes eight backlight levels and notes that the backlight cannot be turned on when room brightness is high or the battery is low. These thresholds and behaviors are documented for the original MX Keys; do not assume they apply to every MX Keys variant.

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Ambient-light sensing is not hand detection

The two functions serve different purposes. Logitech’s MX Keys for Business data sheet, dated 7 October 2021, says hand-proximity sensors turn the backlighting on, while ambient-light sensors adjust its brightness. So the ambient sensor responds to room light; hand proximity triggers the lighting.

Can you replace the sensor separately?

The reviewed Logitech support guide describes the sensor as embedded and does not identify a separately orderable sensor replacement. It also does not provide component-level repair instructions.

Quick Recap

Best Value
Logitech MX Keys S Wireless Keyboard Low Profile Fluid Precise - Pale Grey
  • Fluid Typing Experience: Laptop-like profile with spherically-dished keys shaped for your fingertips delivers a fast, fluid, precise and quieter typing experience
  • Automate Repetitive Tasks: Easily create and share time-saving Smart Actions shortcuts to perform multiple actions with a single keystroke with the Logi Options+ app (1)
  • Smarter Illumination: Backlit keyboard keys light up as your hands approach and adapt to the environment; Now with more lighting customizations on Logi Options+ (1)
  • More Comfort, Deeper Focus: Work for longer with a solid build, low-profile design and an optimum keyboard angle that is better for your wrist posture
  • Multi-Device, Multi OS Bluetooth Keyboard: Pair with up to 3 devices on nearly any operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Googlebook OS) via Bluetooth Low Energy or included Logi Bolt USB receiver (2)
Rank #4
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  • Multi-Device, Multi OS: Pair MX Keys Mini compact keyboard with up to 3 devices on nearly any operating system via Bluetooth Low Energy and switch between them seamlessly
  • Multiple Computers, One Flow: Team the slim MX Keys Mini with MX Master 3 or MX Anywhere 3 and type across multiple computers or laptops in one fluid workflow(1)
Rank #3
Logitech MX Keys S Combo Performance Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - Graphite
  • Engineered for Speed and Precision: MX Keys S Wireless Keyboard features fast fluid laptop-like typing combined with the fast, precise scrolling of MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse
  • Fluid Typing Experience: Laptop-like profile with spherically-dished keys shaped for your fingertips delivers a fast, fluid, precise and quieter typing experience
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  • Automate Repetitive Tasks: Easily create and share time-saving Smart Actions shortcuts that perform multiple actions with a single keystroke with the Logi Options+ app (1)
  • Smarter Illumination: Backlit keyboard keys light up as your hands approach and adapt to the environment; now with more lighting customizations on Logi Options+ (1)
Rank #2
Logitech MX Keys Advanced Wireless Illuminated Keyboard, Tactile Responsive Typing, Backlighting, Bluetooth, USB-C, Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Metal Build (Black)
  • PERFECT STROKE KEYS - Spherically-dished keys match the shape of your fingertips, offering satisfying feedback with every tap
  • COMFORT AND STABILITY - Type with confidence on a keyboard crafted for comfort, stability, and precision
  • SMART ILLUMINATION -Hand proximity detection and automatic backlighting
  • FLOW CROSS-COMPUTER CONTROL - Type on multiple computers in one fluid workflow
  • MULTI-DEVICE & MULTI-OS - Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android systems ? pair with up to three devices

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