How to adjust brightness level in Windows?

Adjusting the brightness of your screen is essential for a comfortable viewing experience, as it can help reduce eye strain and conserve battery life. Whether you’re using a laptop, desktop monitor, or tablet, Windows provides easy ways to adjust the brightness level to suit your preferences. This guide will walk you through how to adjust the brightness in Windows 10 and Windows 11 on different devices.

Why Adjusting Screen Brightness Matters?

• Comfortable Viewing: Proper brightness helps reduce eye strain, especially in different lighting environments (e.g., bright sunlight or dim rooms).
• Battery Life: Lowering your screen brightness can significantly extend your device’s battery life, especially on laptops and tablets.
• Improved Focus: A well-adjusted screen brightness helps you concentrate better, especially when working for long periods.

How to Adjust Brightness in Windows 10

Method 1: Using the Action Center

The quickest way to adjust brightness in Windows 10 is through the Action Center.

1. Open the Action Center:
   • Click on the Action Center icon located at the bottom-right corner of the screen (next to the clock). It looks like a speech bubble or a square.
   • Alternatively, you can press Windows + A to open the Action Center.
2. Adjust the Brightness:
   • In the Action Center, you’ll find a Brightness slider. Simply slide it left or right to decrease or increase the brightness.
   Note: If you don’t see the brightness slider in the Action Center, your device might not support automatic brightness adjustments, or you may need to update your drivers.

Method 2: Through Settings

1. Open Settings:
   • Click the Start menu (Windows icon) and select Settings (the gear icon).
   • Alternatively, press Windows + I to open the Settings window.
2. Navigate to System:
   • In the Settings window, click on System.
3. Adjust Brightness:
   • Select Display from the left-hand sidebar.
   • In the Brightness and color section, you will see a slider labeled Change brightness. Adjust it to your desired brightness level.
   Note: If you’re using an external monitor, this option might not be available. Instead, you will need to adjust the brightness directly from the monitor’s on-screen settings.

Method 3: Using Keyboard Shortcuts (For Laptops)

Most laptops come with function keys that allow you to quickly adjust the brightness.

1. Look for the brightness control keys on your laptop’s keyboard. They usually have a sun icon with a “+” or “–” sign, typically located on the F keys (e.g., F1 and F2, or F5 and F6).
2. Hold down the Fn key (if required) and press the appropriate function key to adjust the brightness up or down.

How to Adjust Brightness in Windows 11

Method 1: Using the Quick Settings Menu

Windows 11 features an upgraded Quick Settings menu, making it easy to adjust the brightness.

1. Open Quick Settings:
   • Click on the Network, volume, or battery icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar to open Quick Settings.
   • Alternatively, press Windows + A to open Quick Settings.
2. Adjust the Brightness:
   • In the Quick Settings panel, you’ll see a Brightness slider. Move the slider left or right to adjust the screen brightness.
   Note: If the slider doesn’t appear, it may be due to the lack of support for brightness control on certain devices, or you might need to update the display drivers.

Method 2: Through Settings

1. Open Settings:
   • Click the Start menu (Windows icon) and select Settings (the gear icon), or press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to System:
   • In the Settings window, click on System in the left-hand menu.
3. Adjust Brightness:
   • Select Display from the options in the right pane.
   • Under the Brightness and color section, move the Change brightness slider to adjust the screen brightness.

Method 3: Using Keyboard Shortcuts (For Laptops)

As in Windows 10, most laptops in Windows 11 also feature function keys for adjusting brightness.

1. Look for the brightness adjustment keys on your laptop keyboard. These will typically be marked with a sun icon.
2. Use the appropriate function key to increase or decrease the brightness.

How to Adjust Brightness on External Monitors

If you’re using an external monitor or desktop setup, you may not see the brightness control options in Windows Settings. In such cases, you’ll need to adjust the brightness directly through the monitor’s on-screen menu:

1. Access the Monitor’s On-Screen Menu:
   • Press the Menu button on your monitor (usually located on the side or bottom of the screen).
2. Find the Brightness Option:
   • Navigate through the on-screen menu to find the Brightness or Picture Settings section.
   • Use the on-screen controls to increase or decrease the brightness.
3. Adjust Brightness:
   • Use the monitor’s buttons to adjust the brightness to your preferred level.

Additional Tips for Adjusting Screen Brightness

1. Enable Adaptive Brightness (If Supported)

Adaptive brightness automatically adjusts your screen’s brightness based on ambient light. This can help save battery and ensure your screen is always at an optimal brightness level for your environment.

• Windows 10: Go to Settings > System > Display. Under the Brightness and color section, check if the Change brightness automatically when lighting changes option is available. If so, enable it.
• Windows 11: In the Display settings, check for an option labeled Automatically adjust brightness based on lighting. If available, enable it.

2. Update Your Display Drivers

If you’re unable to adjust brightness using the above methods, it may be due to outdated or missing display drivers. To update them:

1. Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters, right-click your display adapter, and select Update driver.
3. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

3. Use Third-Party Software for Fine Control

If you need more control over the brightness (such as adjusting the blue light or creating specific brightness profiles), consider using third-party software like:

• f.lux: Adjusts brightness and color temperature based on time of day.
• Windows 10/11 Night Light: Activates a warmer screen hue to reduce eye strain, especially in low-light environments.

Conclusion

Adjusting the brightness of your screen is an essential task to enhance your viewing comfort and optimize battery life. With both Windows 10 and Windows 11, there are multiple ways to adjust brightness, including through the Action Center, Quick Settings, Settings menu, and the keyboard.

By understanding how to fine-tune your screen brightness settings, you can ensure a more comfortable and productive experience, whether you’re working in a bright office or a dimly lit room.