The most straightforward method to adjust the display brightness on your Windows machine is through the Settings app. Alternatively, open the Action Center by pressing Win + A and use the slider to adjust brightness in Windows. Additionally, you can utilize the Function key in conjunction with F11/F12 or F2/F3 keys for brightness adjustments.
Changing brightness is one of the fundamental tasks on Windows. If you’re unfamiliar with the operating system, adjusting brightness on Windows 10 may be new to you. This guide explores various methods for increasing or decreasing brightness in Windows 10. Stick around until the end to learn all the possible ways.
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Method 1: Change Brightness from Windows Settings
To easily adjust brightness on Windows 10, utilize the Settings app, especially suitable for portable devices like laptops and tablets. Here’s a simple guide:
- Quickly open the Settings app with the keyboard shortcut “Win+I” or by searching for Settings in the Start menu.
- Inside Settings, navigate to System -> Display.
- Locate the brightness slider and move it left to decrease brightness or right to increase it.
This approach might not be applicable if you’re using Windows on a PC. In such cases, you’ll need to adjust the brightness of your monitor, and we’ve outlined how to do that in the following sections.
Method 2: Adjust Brightness Using the Keyboard
Most laptops include dedicated buttons for adjusting brightness, usually integrated into the F series of keys (F1, F2, or F11, F12). To activate these functions, press the Function key (Fn) located beside the Windows key. Here’s how to adjust brightness in Windows 10 using the keyboard:
- Identify the Function key (Fn) and the Brightness keys on your laptop’s keyboard.
- Press the Function key and, while holding it, press the Brightness keys to lower or increase the display brightness.
- For older laptops with dedicated brightness control keys, simply press those keys to adjust brightness.
Method 3: Change Brightness from Action Center
The Action Center in Windows 10 is accessible by clicking on the message-like icon in the bottom-right corner of the Windows Taskbar. Follow these steps to adjust Windows 10’s brightness directly from the Action Center:
- Click the Action Menu icon or press “Windows + A.”
- Click “Expand” to reveal more options.
- Drag the brightness slider left or right to adjust the brightness on your Windows 10 machine.
Method 4: Adjust Windows 10 Brightness on Monitor
If you’re using a desktop PC, adjusting brightness through Windows Settings is not an option. Instead, you’ll need to adjust your monitor’s brightness. A handy app is available that allows you to control monitor brightness without using physical buttons.
Additionally, you can utilize the joystick on the back to navigate the monitor settings menu, or some monitors have dedicated brightness buttons. These controls are typically situated at the back, on the right side, or at the bottom-right corner of the monitor. If you’re not familiar with these controls, we recommend consulting the monitor’s user manual.
Upon locating the buttons, navigate to the ‘Brightness’ section in the monitor settings menu and use the buttons to decrease or increase brightness. Keep in mind that the process may vary significantly among different monitor models, so explore all corners to familiarize yourself with the location of each setting.
Method 5: Adjust Brightness Using Display Driver Software
Depending on the CPU or GPU in your laptop, it may have software designed for tuning graphics settings, which can also be used to adjust display brightness on Windows 10. For instance, if your laptop has an Intel CPU and/or GPU, it likely includes the Intel Graphics Driver, accessible from the applications menu.
- Navigate to Intel Graphics Settings and select ‘Color’ from the top bar.
- In the Select Color dropdown, choose all colors and adjust brightness by dragging the slider.
Method 6: Enable Adaptive Brightness on Windows 10
Some Windows laptops feature Adaptive Brightness support, utilizing the laptop’s light sensor to automatically adjust brightness based on lighting conditions. This feature may be available in premium or business notebooks. To check for Adaptive Brightness:
- Navigate to Settings -> System -> Display.
- If you see a “Change brightness automatically when lighting changes” option, toggle it on.
- Your device will now adjust brightness based on the surrounding lighting conditions.
These methods offer straightforward ways to adjust screen brightness on Windows. If the brightness slider is not visible, it could be due to an outdated display driver. In such instances, updating the drivers on Windows will enable brightness adjustment. If you found this guide helpful, share your thoughts in the comments section below.