The keyboard backlight does not shine around the spacebar.

NOTE: Not all computers have a keyboard backlight. To see if your computer has a keyboard backlight, check the specifications or supplied operations guide. Manuals are posted on your model support page.

This is normal operation. There is a backlight underneath the spacebar but because the spacebar is so large that it covers the backlight. Also, unlike other keys, it does not have a transparent label for the light to show through.