How to Disable RGB and Lighting Effects When Your PC is Asleep

RGB lighting adds personality and flair to gaming setups, but it can be a nuisance if it stays on when your PC is asleep or shut down. Fortunately, you can turn off these lights without completely disabling them for active use. This guide will walk you through the steps to manage your RGB lighting settings so they automatically turn off when your computer enters sleep mode.

Step 1: Adjusting RGB Settings in BIOS/UEFI

One of the most effective ways to control your RGB lighting during sleep is through your PC’s BIOS/UEFI firmware settings.

1. Restart Your Computer: Begin by rebooting your PC.
2. Enter BIOS/UEFI: During the initial startup, press the designated key to access the BIOS/UEFI settings. This is often Delete, F2, F10, or Esc, but it varies by manufacturer. The key prompt typically flashes on your screen during boot-up.
3. Navigate to LED or RGB Settings: Within BIOS/UEFI, use the arrow keys to find the Advanced or Onboard Devices Configuration section.
4. Locate RGB or LED Settings: Look for options such as “Onboard LED,” “RGB LED,” or “LED Lighting.”
5. Configure LED Behavior: Set the LED behavior for sleep, hibernate, or soft-off states to “Off” or “Disable” to ensure that all LEDs turn off when the system is in low-power mode.
6. Save and Exit: Save your settings and exit BIOS/UEFI. Your system will reboot with the new configurations.

This method will turn off RGB lighting directly on the motherboard and any built-in LEDs when the computer goes to sleep or powers down.

Step 2: Using Manufacturer-Specific Software for RGB Control

Many components, such as RAM, GPUs, and certain peripherals, have dedicated software that allows for custom lighting control.

1. Download the Software: Head to the manufacturer’s website to download the specific RGB control software for your components. Common programs include Corsair iCUE, ASUS Aura Sync, and G.SKILL Trident Z Lighting Control.
2. Open the Software: Launch the RGB control program and go to the settings menu.
3. Set Lighting Behavior for Sleep Mode: In many of these programs, you’ll find options to customize RGB lighting behavior during sleep or shutdown. Set these options to turn off lighting effects when the PC is in sleep mode.

This software-based approach is ideal if you want to manage lighting for individual components, especially if your hardware setup involves RGB RAM, GPUs, or fans.

Step 3: Disabling USB Power in Sleep Mode

Many RGB peripherals, such as keyboards and mice, stay lit because USB ports continue supplying power when your computer is asleep. To stop this:

1. Access Power Options: Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
2. Edit Your Power Plan: Click on Change plan settings next to your active power plan, then choose Change advanced power settings.
3. Disable USB Selective Suspend: Expand the USB settings section, find USB selective suspend setting, and set it to Disabled.
4. Save Changes: Click Apply and OK to save the settings.

With USB selective suspend disabled, your peripherals will not receive power in sleep mode, so their lighting will turn off.

Additional Tips for Complete Control

To ensure that no lights stay on when your PC enters low-power states, consider these extra options:

Enable ErP/EuP Mode in BIOS/UEFI

Some motherboards offer an ErP or EuP mode in BIOS/UEFI settings, designed to limit power consumption in sleep or shutdown states. Activating this mode will automatically disable all lighting to conserve energy.

Check Hardware Manuals for Specific Instructions

Your motherboard and components may have unique settings for RGB lighting control during sleep. Refer to your hardware manuals for any extra steps or specific software recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will turning off RGB lighting affect system performance?
A: No, adjusting RGB lighting settings in BIOS or through software will not impact your PC’s performance.

Q: Can I turn off specific components’ lighting without disabling all RGB effects?
A: Yes, most RGB control software allows you to manage lighting per component, so you can choose which parts stay on or turn off.

Q: Do all motherboards support RGB control in BIOS?
A: Not all motherboards offer RGB control in BIOS. If yours doesn’t, you may need to rely on software or USB power settings.

For a visual guide, watch this video: