How to Change the Screen Brightness in Windows 10: A Quick Guide

PDF download Download Article

Adjust screen brightness manually or automatically

PDF download Download Article

Is your PC monitor too bright or too dim? You can easily adjust the screen brightness of your Windows 10 computer in the Settings menu. You can also change the screen brightness in the action center in the taskbar. This wikiHow guide will show you how to adjust the screen brightness in Windows 10.

Things You Should Know

  • Open the action center in the taskbar and drag the brightness slider.
  • Alternatively, go to Settings > System > Display and drag the brightness slider.
  • Optionally, check the box labeled Change brightness automatically when lighting changes in the display menu.
Section 1 of 3:

Using Action Center

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the message icon to the right of the clock in the taskbar to open the action center.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":541,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's near the bottom of the screen and has a sun icon next to it. Drag it to the left to lower the screen brightness, and to the right to raise the screen brightness. [1]
    • Note that the brightness slider only appears in versions 1903 and later of Windows 10. To change the brightness in earlier versions, use the Settings menu method below.
    • The slider won’t appear if you’re using a desktop PC and external monitor. Use the monitor’s control buttons to adjust the screen brightness. For example, if you’re using your TV as a monitor , you’ll need to use the buttons to navigate to the brightness settings on the TV.
    3. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Using Settings

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Windows Start menu is the icon that has the Windows logo in the taskbar. By default, it's in the lower-left corner of the taskbar.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Settings menu is the icon that resembles a gear. It's on the far left side of the Windows Start menu.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the first item in the Windows Settings menu. It's next to an icon that resembles a computer.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the first option in the sidebar to the left. This opens the display settings.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The slider bar that says "Change brightness" is at the top of the display settings. Drag the slider bar to the left to lower the screen brightness. Drag it to the right to increase the screen brightness.
    • Use a lower screen brightness to conserve power/battery life.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":552,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Some PCs can automatically adjust the brightness when the lighting in your environment changes.
    • In the Display settings menu, go to the “Brightness and color” section.
    • Check the box labeled Change brightness automatically when lighting changes .
    7. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Screen-Brightness-in-Windows-10-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Finding and updating drivers is easy . If you’re not using a desktop PC and the slider is either missing or not working, updating the display driver can sometimes resolve the issue:
    • Search “Device Manager” in the taskbar search box.
    • Click Device Manager in the list of results.
    • Select Display adapters in the Device Manager window.
    • Select your display adapter driver.
    • Right-click the display adapter driver.
    • Click Update driver and follow the prompts.

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I tried doing all these steps, but the brightness is not changing. What should I do?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    It sounds like your computer's display drivers aren't installed correctly. You can visit the manufacturer's website, or contact their support, to download the latest drivers for your computer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 17
  • Question
    I'm using a PC that does not have an option for brightness in settings. What do I do?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    It sounds like you are using a computer with an independent monitor. Try to use the button on the monitor to change the brightness.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 79 Helpful 82
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • This will not work on computers with a standalone monitor. To change the brightness on those, you will need to use the buttons on the monitor.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Control the Brightness of Your Computer With Windows 7
      Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows 10: Temporarily or Permanently
      How to
      Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 10
      How to
      Install Windows 10
      How to
      Show Image Previews in Windows 10 & 11
      How to
      Use Function Keys Without Pressing Fn on Windows 10
      4 Easy Ways to Turn Off Automatic Updates in Windows 10
      How to
      Screenshot in Windows 10
      A Guide to Checking if Your Firewall Is Blocking Something
      How to
      Adjust Brightness on Windows 10 Using the Keyboard
      How to
      Completely Uninstall the Riot Games Client & Vanguard
      How to
      Set Video As Wallpaper in Windows 10
      How to
      Test Your Laptop’s Battery Health in Windows 10
      Easy Ways to Open Task Scheduler in Windows 10 & 11: Run, CMD, and More
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about computers and technology, check out our in-depth interview with Luigi Oppido .

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026946/windows-10-change-screen-brightness

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click the Windows Start menu.
      2. Click the Gear icon.
      3. Click System .
      4. Use the slider bar to adjust screen brightness.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 604,003 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement