Managing screen brightness on your second monitor in Windows 11 can sometimes feel confusing — especially since external displays don’t always respond to the same settings as your main laptop screen. But don’t worry — in this guide, we’ll walk you through every possible way to change brightness on your second monitor, from using system settings to third-party apps.
Whether you’re using a dual-monitor setup for work, gaming, or entertainment, keeping both displays properly lit can reduce eye strain, improve visibility, and even save energy.
🧭 Why Adjusting Brightness on a Second Monitor Matters
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand why brightness control is so important:
- 🌙 Eye comfort: Too much brightness in low-light environments can cause strain.
- 🔋 Power efficiency: Reducing brightness saves power, especially on laptops.
- 🎨 Color accuracy: Balanced brightness helps ensure consistent color display.
- 💻 Productivity: A well-calibrated secondary monitor boosts focus and workflow.
⚙️ How to Change Brightness on Second Monitor in Windows 11 (5 Methods)
Below are five practical ways to adjust the brightness of your second monitor — including both built-in options and third-party tools.
Method 1: Use the Monitor’s Built-in Buttons
Most external monitors include physical buttons or a joystick control for display settings.
Steps:
- Find the Menu or Settings button on the monitor frame.
- Navigate using the arrows or joystick.
- Open the Brightness or Picture section.
- Adjust the brightness level using “+” or “–”.
- Save and exit the menu.
💡 Tip: If you can’t find the right button, refer to your monitor’s user manual — different brands like Dell, HP, or LG have unique button layouts.
Method 2: Adjust Brightness via Windows Settings
Windows 11 allows you to adjust brightness directly from Display settings, but note that this only works for built-in displays or monitors connected via DDC/CI (a control channel supported by most modern monitors).
Steps:
- Right-click on your desktop and choose Display settings.
- Scroll to the Brightness & color section.
- If your second monitor supports it, move the Brightness slider to adjust.
⚠️ Note: If the brightness slider is missing for the second screen, your monitor might not support this control through Windows. Try enabling DDC/CI on your monitor (see next method).
Method 3: Enable DDC/CI to Control Brightness from Windows
DDC/CI (Display Data Channel Command Interface) allows your PC to send brightness commands directly to your monitor.
Steps:
- Use your monitor’s on-screen menu (OSD).
- Navigate to System Settings → DDC/CI → Enable.
- Return to Windows Display settings and check if the Brightness slider now appears.
If it’s still unavailable, proceed with a third-party brightness control tool.
Method 4: Use Third-Party Apps to Control Brightness
If Windows doesn’t let you adjust your external monitor’s brightness, third-party apps can help.
Here are some reliable tools:
| App Name | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Monitorian | Free app from Microsoft Store that adds brightness sliders for multiple monitors. | Everyday users |
| Twinkle Tray | Lets you adjust multiple monitors with hotkeys and custom presets. | Power users |
| Lunar (for Mac/Windows) | Syncs brightness and contrast between monitors. | Designers, multitaskers |
| ClickMonitorDDC | Full DDC/CI control with advanced automation. | Advanced users |
Using Monitorian (Recommended):
- Open Microsoft Store and search for Monitorian.
- Click Install and launch the app.
- Adjust each monitor’s brightness using the sliders in the app.
✅ Bonus: It supports keyboard shortcuts — making it easier to fine-tune brightness anytime.
Method 5: Adjust Brightness via Graphics Control Panel
Your GPU (graphics card) may offer brightness controls — especially useful if you’re using HDMI or DisplayPort.
For Intel Users:
- Right-click your desktop → Intel Graphics Command Center.
- Go to Display → Color.
- Adjust the Brightness slider.
For NVIDIA Users:
- Right-click desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Select Display → Adjust desktop color settings.
- Choose the monitor and move the Brightness slider.
For AMD Users:
- Right-click desktop → AMD Radeon Settings.
- Navigate to Display → Color.
- Adjust the Brightness level.
🧩 How to Fix Brightness Slider Not Working on Second Monitor
If your brightness slider doesn’t appear or doesn’t work, try these troubleshooting steps:
| Problem | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| No brightness control option | Enable DDC/CI on monitor |
| Brightness setting greyed out | Update display drivers |
| Second monitor too dim | Reset monitor settings |
| Monitor brightness changes automatically | Turn off adaptive brightness in Windows |
Turn Off Adaptive Brightness:
- Open Settings → System → Display.
- Click Brightness.
- Disable Change brightness automatically when lighting changes.
🧠 Extra Tips to Optimize Brightness on Dual Monitors
- Set consistent brightness on both screens to reduce eye fatigue.
- Use Night Light mode in Windows 11 to minimize blue light.
- Avoid extremely low brightness, as it reduces visibility and clarity.
- Try automatic brightness sync using apps like Twinkle Tray.
- Keep monitor drivers and GPU drivers updated regularly.
🌓 How to Use Night Light for Eye Comfort
Windows 11 includes Night Light, a feature that reduces blue light from your screen — perfect for late-night work sessions.
To enable:
- Go to Settings → System → Display.
- Toggle on Night Light.
- Click Night Light settings to adjust strength and schedule.
This helps maintain visual comfort across all monitors.
🪟 Can You Change Brightness Individually for Each Monitor?
Yes! Tools like Monitorian or Twinkle Tray let you control brightness per monitor — ideal for setups with different brands or models.
You can even assign keyboard shortcuts to adjust brightness individually without opening settings each time.
🧾 Quick Summary Table
| Method | Works For | Tool/Path |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Buttons | All monitors | Monitor OSD |
| Windows Settings | Laptop/compatible monitors | Display Settings |
| Enable DDC/CI | Most modern monitors | Monitor OSD menu |
| Third-party Apps | All monitors | Monitorian, Twinkle Tray |
| Graphics Control Panel | GPU-based control | NVIDIA, Intel, AMD |
🏁 Conclusion
Adjusting the brightness on your second monitor in Windows 11 is simple once you know which method works for your setup. Whether you tweak it using the monitor’s buttons, Windows settings, or apps like Monitorian, balanced brightness can significantly enhance comfort and productivity.
Remember to keep your monitor firmware and GPU drivers up to date, and experiment with features like Night Light for even better visual comfort.
❓ FAQs About Changing Brightness on Second Monitor in Windows 11
1. Why can’t I adjust brightness on my external monitor?
Some external monitors don’t support brightness control via Windows. Try enabling DDC/CI or using a third-party tool like Monitorian.
2. Can I set different brightness levels for each monitor?
Yes, apps like Twinkle Tray or Monitorian allow independent brightness control.
3. How do I know if my monitor supports DDC/CI?
Check your monitor’s on-screen menu or user manual. Most modern monitors include this feature.
4. Does adjusting brightness affect display quality?
No — it improves comfort and reduces strain, though too much dimming may affect color accuracy.
5. What’s the best brightness level for my workspace?
Aim for 120–180 nits in well-lit environments and lower for darker rooms. Adjust based on comfort.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Brightness control improves comfort, focus, and display quality.
- Use Monitorian or Twinkle Tray for easy per-monitor control.
- Enable DDC/CI if Windows brightness slider isn’t available.
- Keep drivers updated and use Night Light for eye protection.
Now that you know how to change brightness on your second monitor in Windows 11, take a minute to adjust your setup — your eyes will thank you later! 🌟