Stuck Laptop Keyboard Lights (ROG Strix G18 2024)

[Nidash]

Hi! I have a ROG Strix G18 2024 (model from the US) and I’ve been having this really weird issue with the keyboard RGB lighting: several keys are permanently stuck showing a blue color. I bought this laptop new 2 months ago.

These keys stay blue even when I turn off the keyboard lighting completely or try different effects (like turning all keys off, static black, etc). Sometimes they blink or turn off for a moment, but they always come back. They even light up when the laptop is in the BIOS or booting up, so I assume it’s stored in the EC (embedded controller).

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:
– Fully uninstalling Armoury Crate and related drivers
– Reinstalling different versions of Armoury Crate and Aura Creator
– Reinstalling ASUS System Control Interface
– EC resets (holding power button 40s, unplugging battery, etc)
– BIOS downgrade and upgrade (tried 318 and 320)
– Clean install of Windows 11 (with local account and no internet)
– Trying to block ASUS services/drivers from loading
– Uninstalling keyboard drivers
– Using only Dynamic Lighting or only Armoury Crate
– Even sending it to a local technician, who had no idea what to do

The issue always comes back. Sometimes after suspend/hibernate, sometimes randomly while using the laptop. I'm now out of options, since I can't send it to ASUS support due to being in Argentina with a US model.

If anyone has any advice or ideas, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance.

[ElectroStingz]

Hello,

So if you enable rainbow mode does it cycle correctly on the other keys but these stay blue? If so it's possible the keyboard is faulty or a loose connection within the keyboard.

[Nidash]

No, it's not that the keys stay only blue, the blue LED is always on, even when other colors are applied. So when the key should be red, it shows up purple, because the blue is still lit underneath. It's like the blue channel never turns off, and just mixes with whatever color is set. Yeah, I sent it to a repairshop but the technician said he'd never seen anything like this and had no clue. And as I said, i can't send it to warranty because its an american laptop and has its warranty there.

[ElectroStingz]

I think it's the keyboard but contact ASUS for support as they are a global company with international warranty support, so you might be ok with warranty outside of country of purchsae.  https://www.asus.com/bt/event/international-warranty/

[Nidash]

I've already contacted them and their own customer support told me that my warranty is local so it only works in the USA. It does not work here in Argentina. My only chance is to travel to the US. If not, they can take my PC in here in Argentina but they are going to charge me. I was hoping I could fix it myself, but no dice I guess. Thanks!