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How Do I Turn on Headlights in Iracing

How do i turn on headlights in iRacing — quick, step-by-step fixes for iRacing drivers to get headlights working fast and race in low-light or night sessions.

If you’re asking “how do i turn on headlights in iracing”, the short answer is: either flip the car’s in-cockpit light switch (if it has one) or assign a toggle to the Lights/Headlights control in iRacing’s Controls menu and press that button. You’re in the right place — below is the plain-language fix that takes two minutes.

Quick Answer — how do i turn on headlights in iracing

Most cars require a toggle mapped to the Lights/Headlights control, or you use the physical switch inside the cockpit. Open iRacing Options > Controls, find “Lights” or “Headlights,” bind it to a keyboard key or wheel button, save, then press it in session.

What’s Really Going On

iRacing treats headlights as a simple on/off control connected to the car’s electrical system. Some cars have built-in cockpit switches that you can click or operate with a mapped button. Others rely entirely on a mapped control. If lights don’t show up, it’s usually because the action isn’t mapped or you’re not in a session/time of day where lights are visible.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Pause and leave the car if you need to change controls safely.
  2. In iRacing, go to Options → Controls.
  3. Use the search box and type “lights” or “headlights” to find the action.
  4. Click the action, then press the wheel button, keyboard key, or controller button you want to use to toggle lights.
  5. Save your control profile.
  6. Return to the session and press the mapped button to turn headlights on/off. If the car has a visible cockpit switch, try toggling it after mapping if needed.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Test in practice: spawn into a night or low-light session so you can confirm the lights are visible.
  • Map to a convenient steering-wheel button — don’t use a combination that’s hard to reach mid-race.
  • If the in-cockpit switch exists, mapping the same button to the toggle often lets you use the physical switch or your button interchangeably.
  • If headlights still don’t appear, update GPU drivers and check graphics settings (very low effects or bloom settings can hide light flares).
  • Remember: some endurance or prototype cars may auto-manage lights depending on session time; try toggling anyway.

FAQs

Q: Is there a default key for headlights in iRacing?
A: There isn’t a consistent universal default across all setups. Best practice is to map the Lights/Headlights action to a key or button you’ll use.

Q: Why don’t my headlights show at night?
A: Most often because the action isn’t mapped, or you’re in a car that uses an automatic system. Check your mapping, then verify in a practice night session.

Q: Can I map headlights to my wheel paddle or button box?
A: Yes. In Controls, select the Lights/Headlights action, then press the wheel paddle or button. Save the profile.

Q: Do headlights affect my rating or car performance?
A: No — lights don’t change your SR (safety rating) or iRating. They only affect visibility for you and other drivers.

Wrap-up

Turn headlights on by mapping the Lights/Headlights control or using the cockpit switch if present. Do the mapping once and test in a night session — you’ll be set for endurance or dusk races. If that doesn’t work, check graphics settings and your control bindings again.