Adjusting your screen’s brightness on Windows 11 can make a world of difference. Whether you’re working late at night, sitting under bright sunlight, or trying to save battery life on your laptop — knowing how to change brightness in Windows 11 is essential.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every method to adjust, control, and fix screen brightness issues on Windows 11 — step by step. From built-in settings to keyboard shortcuts, quick settings, and troubleshooting, this article covers everything you need to know.
What Is Screen Brightness and Why It Matters
Screen brightness refers to how much light your display emits.
Balancing it properly helps you:
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Reduce eye strain when working for long hours.
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Save battery on laptops and tablets.
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Enhance visibility in different lighting conditions.
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Improve color accuracy for design or photo work.
Think of brightness like sunlight — too much causes glare and fatigue, too little makes it hard to see. The right balance keeps your screen comfortable and efficient.
How to Change Brightness on Windows 11 (Quick Answer)
If you’re in a hurry:
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Click the network/volume/battery icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open Quick Settings.
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Use the brightness slider to increase or decrease screen brightness.
That’s it! But Windows 11 gives you several other ways to fine-tune brightness — let’s explore them all below.
Method 1: Adjust Brightness via Quick Settings
This is the fastest and most common method.
Steps:
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Click the Quick Settings panel (the cluster of icons in the taskbar’s bottom-right corner).
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Look for the brightness slider — represented by a sun icon.
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Drag the slider left to dim or right to brighten the screen.
✅ Pro Tip: This method works on laptops, tablets, and some all-in-one PCs. For external monitors, you’ll need to use their built-in buttons (see Method 8).
Method 2: Change Brightness Using Windows Settings
If you want more control or to automate brightness, use Windows Settings.
Steps:
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Go to System → Display.
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Under Brightness & color, adjust the Brightness slider.
You can also check the box for:
Change brightness automatically when lighting changes
if your device supports adaptive brightness.
Why Use This Method?
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It gives access to related features like Night Light, HDR, and color calibration.
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Perfect for users who want permanent brightness changes.
Method 3: Adjust Brightness with Keyboard Shortcuts
Most laptops have dedicated brightness keys.
Steps:
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Look for keys with a sun icon on your keyboard (usually F1–F12).
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Hold Fn (Function) + the brightness key to increase or decrease brightness.
✅ Example: On HP laptops, Fn + F3 increases brightness; on Dell, Fn + F4 might do the same.
Advantages:
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Super quick — no menus required.
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Works even when multitasking or gaming.
Method 4: Change Brightness Using the Action Center
Windows 11 replaced the old Action Center with Quick Settings, but you can still access brightness controls easily.
Steps:
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Press Windows + A to open the Action Center.
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Drag the brightness slider left or right.
✅ Shortcut Tip: The Windows + A combo is faster than using the mouse to open Quick Settings.
Method 5: Adjust Brightness Automatically Based on Power Mode
Windows 11 can automatically lower brightness when on battery to save energy.
Steps:
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Go to Settings → System → Power & Battery.
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Select Battery Saver → Turn on now (or schedule it).
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Toggle Lower screen brightness when using battery saver.
Why Use It?
This feature helps extend battery life without manually adjusting brightness every time you unplug.
Method 6: Change Brightness Using the Mobility Center
A lesser-known but powerful tool — the Windows Mobility Center.
Steps:
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Press Windows + X, then select Mobility Center.
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Use the Display brightness slider to set your preferred level.
✅ Note: This works best on laptops — desktops may not show the option.
Method 7: Adjust Brightness Through Display Drivers
If none of the above methods work, your graphics driver might control brightness.
Steps:
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Right-click on the desktop → select Display settings.
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Scroll down and click Advanced display settings → Display adapter properties.
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Choose the Color Management or Driver tab.
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Adjust settings in the Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD Control Panel.
✅ Example:
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For Intel users: Open Intel Graphics Command Center → Display → Brightness.
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For NVIDIA users: Use NVIDIA Control Panel → Adjust desktop color settings.
Method 8: Change Brightness for External Monitors
If you’re using a desktop PC or an external display, Windows might not control brightness directly.
Options:
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Use Monitor Buttons:
Most monitors have physical buttons or dials under the screen edge. Navigate to Brightness/Contrast settings. -
Use Monitor Control Apps:
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Monitorian (free Microsoft Store app)
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ClickMonitorDDC (advanced brightness control)
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✅ Pro Tip: Some modern monitors support DDC/CI — allowing brightness control directly from Windows.
How to Enable Adaptive Brightness in Windows 11
Adaptive brightness automatically adjusts your screen based on ambient light.
Steps:
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Open Settings → System → Display.
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Click Brightness & color.
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Enable Change brightness automatically when lighting changes.
✅ Tip: If you don’t see this option, your device may not have a light sensor.
Why You Can’t Adjust Brightness (and How to Fix It)
Sometimes the brightness slider disappears or doesn’t work. Common causes include:
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Outdated display drivers
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Missing power plan settings
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External monitor usage
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Windows updates changing device settings
How to Fix Brightness Not Working in Windows 11
If your brightness control is missing or broken, try these fixes.
Fix 1: Update Display Drivers
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Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
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Expand Display adapters.
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Right-click your driver → Update driver → Search automatically.
Fix 2: Reinstall Display Driver
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Uninstall the driver.
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Restart your PC.
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Windows will automatically reinstall it.
Fix 3: Run Power Troubleshooter
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Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters.
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Run the Power troubleshooter.
Fix 4: Check Windows Update
Sometimes, pending updates fix brightness control issues.
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Go to Settings → Windows Update.
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Install all available updates.
Tips for Managing Screen Brightness Efficiently
Here are some expert tips for optimal brightness use:
| Situation | Recommended Brightness Level |
|---|---|
| Indoor (dim room) | 30–50% |
| Outdoor (sunlight) | 80–100% |
| Reading at night | 20–30% |
| Watching videos | 60–70% |
✅ Bonus Tips:
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Use Night Light for warmer tones at night.
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Adjust contrast for better readability.
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Keep brightness moderate to extend display lifespan.
Conclusion
Learning how to change brightness in Windows 11 is one of those small skills that can significantly improve your comfort, battery life, and productivity.
Whether you prefer using Quick Settings, keyboard shortcuts, or automatic modes, Windows 11 gives you full control over your display’s brightness.
Remember:
The right brightness isn’t just about visibility — it’s about protecting your eyes and saving power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why can’t I find the brightness slider in Windows 11?
This often happens when display drivers are outdated. Update your graphics driver from Device Manager to restore the slider.
2. How do I automatically adjust brightness based on light?
Enable Adaptive Brightness under Settings → System → Display → Brightness & color.
3. How do I change brightness on a desktop PC?
Use your monitor’s physical buttons or install a tool like Monitorian for software control.
4. Does brightness affect battery life?
Yes. Higher brightness levels consume more power. Reducing brightness can significantly extend battery life on laptops.
5. Can I schedule brightness changes in Windows 11?
Not directly, but you can use Night Light scheduling or third-party tools like Twinkle Tray to automate brightness.
Summary: Key Takeaways
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You can change brightness in Windows 11 using Quick Settings, Settings app, keyboard shortcuts, or driver utilities.
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Adaptive brightness and battery saver help automate brightness control.
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If brightness settings are missing, update display drivers.
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External monitors require hardware buttons or apps for brightness adjustment.
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Keep brightness moderate to reduce eye strain and save energy.
Final Thought:
Windows 11 offers more brightness control flexibility than ever before. Once you master these steps, you’ll enjoy a screen that’s always perfectly lit — no matter where or when you’re working.