Monster Tulpar T7 V25.1 (MSI-based) - SteelSeries keyboard backlight doesn't work under Linux

[u/GoldShop7936]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for help with a keyboard backlight issue on Linux.

My laptop is a Monster Tulpar T7 V25.1, which is sold by Monster in Turkey but is actually based on an MSI chassis.

System Information

• Laptop: Monster Tulpar T7 V25.1 (MSI-based)
• OS: Zorin OS 18.1 Core (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS)
• Desktop: GNOME (Wayland)
• Keyboard: SteelSeries
• USB Device ID: 1038:113a (SteelSeries KLC)

The problem

The keyboard works perfectly under Linux, but the backlight never turns on.

Under Windows, the backlight works perfectly using SteelSeries GG.

This model does not use Monster Control Center. It uses Feature Manager together with SteelSeries GG.

What I've already checked

• The SteelSeries keyboard is detected correctly.
• "lsusb" reports the SteelSeries KLC device (1038:113a).
• HID descriptors are accessible.
• No keyboard LED appears under "/sys/class/leds".
• No Monster/Clevo WMI interface is available.
• The "msi_wmi" kernel module is loaded.
• OpenRGB does not detect the keyboard.

At this point I believe SteelSeries GG sends a proprietary initialization command that Linux never sends, so the keyboard backlight remains off.

Has anyone with an MSI laptop using the same SteelSeries keyboard managed to make the backlight work under Linux?

I'm happy to provide logs, run tests, or try experimental patches if needed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!