A management controller can dynamically manage a status light of a storage device in a server rack system. For example, an administrative device can determine which storage device in the server rack has a problem and can send an out-of-band request to the management controller indicating the error associated with a particular storage device. The request includes a command to operate a light associated with the failed storage device. The management controller can then generate commands for operating the status light associated with the failed storage device via at least one of a light controller or a SAS expander.