Hello
The attached project demonstrates how you can change the Background of the RadRibbonGroup's. With the current implemnetation of the RadRibbonGroup's and the parts they consist of the GroupChrome is the one responsible for the Background.
As for why the groups disappear, my guess is that you are using NoXaml binaries when you use NoXaml binaries you need to BasedOn all custom styles to their original one's otherwise the properties such s Template(responsible for the visualization) will not be set and will not show the control. In this case you need to BasedOn the custom style to BasedOn={StaticResource GroupChromeStyle}.
I hope this information helps.
Kind regards,
Kiril Vandov
Telerik by Progress ,
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