How can I turn the lights off on my pi?

Question

I'd like to build a small internet radio out of my pi, but I'd like to use it at night, when the flashing LEDs would be disturbing. Is there any way to disable them?

@AlexChamberlain Fine, a way that doesn't void the warranty! — Tom Medley, Jan 09 '13 at 16:31
Possible duplicate: http://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/q/697/797 — Morgan Courbet, Jan 09 '13 at 16:34
This can be done via sysfs or dtoverlay in /boot/config.txt - see this Q&A — Seamus, Jun 11 '21 at 06:27

score 13 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 09 '13 at 17:54

13

I know this may sound silly, but a piece of electricians tape over the top would work. Alternatively, put it in a case or box.

answered Jan 09 '13 at 17:54

recantha

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The best and most simple solution! – ikku Jan 10 '13 at 00:32

score 6 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:56

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There is answer in How do I control the system LEDs using my software?

For Power led, if you have RPI 2, then you can turn it off by using

echo 0 > /sys/class/leds/led1/brightness # Power LED

It is taken from the last answer from post I referred.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:56

Community

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answered Jul 27 '15 at 01:42

Kris Avi

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Does not work RPI 3 – akhmed Jun 02 '16 at 06:59
@akhmed You can only turn off the activity (yellow) light in the PR3 using echo 0 > /sys/class/leds/led0/brightness while logged in as root. – Mint Mar 11 '17 at 01:09

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 09 '13 at 16:33

6

No

Unfortunately not. The PWR LED, for example, is directly wired to the 5V rail and other LEDs are controlled by closed-binaries.

answered Jan 09 '13 at 16:33

Alex Chamberlain

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Sigh, electrical tape it is then. – Tom Medley Jan 09 '13 at 16:33
Now possible - see this Q&A – Seamus Jun 11 '21 at 06:29

How can I turn the lights off on my pi?

3 Answers3

No