diff --git a/distribution/changelog.txt b/distribution/changelog.txt
index 2ea3fc21a2..4d6e9aba2c 100644
--- a/distribution/changelog.txt
+++ b/distribution/changelog.txt
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 - Fix: [#1324] Last track piece map selection still visible when placing ride entrance or exit (original bug).
 - Fix: [#3200] Close Construction window upon selecting vehicle page.
 - Fix: [#4041] Garbled park option on scenario editor with custom theme.
+- Fix: [#5178] Lighting effects cannot be disabled in software mode
 - Fix: [#5904] Empty errors on tile inspector base height change.
 - Fix: [#6086] Cannot install existing track design with another name.
 - Fix: [#7748] Tooltips would not timeout for normal UI elements.
diff --git a/src/openrct2-ui/windows/Options.cpp b/src/openrct2-ui/windows/Options.cpp
index a3b5ccd029..c4f6ccc9f4 100644
--- a/src/openrct2-ui/windows/Options.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2-ui/windows/Options.cpp
@@ -1041,6 +1041,7 @@ static void window_options_rendering_invalidate(rct_window* w)
     else
     {
         w->disabled_widgets |= (1 << WIDX_ENABLE_LIGHT_FX_CHECKBOX);
+        gConfigGeneral.enable_light_fx = false;
     }
 
     widget_set_checkbox_value(w, WIDX_ENABLE_LIGHT_FX_FOR_VEHICLES_CHECKBOX, gConfigGeneral.enable_light_fx_for_vehicles);
@@ -1052,6 +1053,7 @@ static void window_options_rendering_invalidate(rct_window* w)
     else
     {
         w->disabled_widgets |= (1 << WIDX_ENABLE_LIGHT_FX_FOR_VEHICLES_CHECKBOX);
+        gConfigGeneral.enable_light_fx_for_vehicles = false;
     }
 
     widget_set_checkbox_value(
diff --git a/src/openrct2/config/Config.cpp b/src/openrct2/config/Config.cpp
index a1a24be05d..40c7f76841 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/config/Config.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/config/Config.cpp
@@ -187,9 +187,9 @@ namespace Config
 
             // Default config setting is false until the games canvas can be separated from the effect
             model->day_night_cycle = reader->GetBoolean("day_night_cycle", false);
-
-            model->enable_light_fx = reader->GetBoolean("enable_light_fx", false);
-            model->enable_light_fx_for_vehicles = reader->GetBoolean("enable_light_fx_for_vehicles", false);
+            const bool isHardware = model->drawing_engine != DrawingEngine::Software;
+            model->enable_light_fx = isHardware && reader->GetBoolean("enable_light_fx", false);
+            model->enable_light_fx_for_vehicles = isHardware && reader->GetBoolean("enable_light_fx_for_vehicles", false);
             model->upper_case_banners = reader->GetBoolean("upper_case_banners", false);
             model->disable_lightning_effect = reader->GetBoolean("disable_lightning_effect", false);
             model->allow_loading_with_incorrect_checksum = reader->GetBoolean("allow_loading_with_incorrect_checksum", true);