How to Manually or Automatically Adjust Screen Brightness on Windows

Whether you’re working in a low-light environment or trying to save battery life, knowing how to adjust screen brightness can come in handy. This tutorial discusses how to manually or automatically adjust screen brightness on Windows, including some tips and tricks to make the process easier.

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Content

• From the Action Center
• From the Keyboard
• From the Windows Mobility Center
• From the Windows Settings Menu
• Using the Battery Saver Mode
• Using the Night Light Mode
• Using Windows PowerShell
• Frequently Asked Questions

From the Action Center

Windows Action Center is a centralized hub that enables you to manage notifications and access quick settings, including screen brightness. Follow these steps to adjust screen brightness from the Action Center:

1. Click on any of the system tray icons or press Win + A.

1. Drag the top slider left or right to adjust the screen brightness.

From the Keyboard

Keyboard shortcuts are the quickest way to change screen brightness on Windows. These steps show how to use them to adjust the brightness level.

1. If you’re using a laptop, look for the key labeled Fn, usually located near the bottom-left corner. If you’re dealing with keyboard issues on your laptop, you may find the fix you need.

1. Check the function keys (from F1 to F12) for the one with a sun icon on it. Press and hold the Fn key, then press the brightness up key (in our case F11) or brightness down (F12) key to adjust the screen brightness accordingly.

1. If you’re using a PC with an independent keyboard attached, look for the dedicated brightness control keys on your keyboard and use them to adjust the screen brightness. (Not all keyboards have them, but some do.)

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From the Windows Mobility Center

The Windows Mobility Center provides quick access to commonly used system settings for your devices, including screen brightness settings.

1. Click the Windows Start button and type “Mobility Center” in the search bar. Click on the best match.

1. Locate the “Display brightness” slider. Drag the slider left or right to adjust the screen brightness.

1. Alternatively, press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.

1. Type mblctr in the Run box and hit Enter to open the Windows Mobility Center.

1. As before, adjust your screen brightness using the brightness slider.

From the Windows Settings Menu

You can also use the Windows Settings Menu to adjust the screen brightness on your Windows laptop or PC. Follow these instructions:

1. Click the Start button and select “Settings” (the gear icon).

1. Click “System -> Display.”

1. Use the “Brightness” slider to adjust the screen brightness to your desired level.

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Using the Battery Saver Mode

Battery Saver mode extends the battery life of your Windows laptop or tablet by reducing its power consumption. Use the Battery Saver mode to automatically adjust the screen brightness of your Windows device and conserve battery life at the same time.

1. Bring up the Action Center and select the battery icon.

1. Locate “Battery saver” and turn it on.

Using the Night Light Mode

Night light mode allows you to adjust your screen brightness by lowering the levels of the blue light spectrum. Customize the intensity of the Night light mode to find the optimal brightness level for your screen.

1. Go to “Settings -> System -> Display” as shown above.

1. Select “Night light.”

1. Click “Turn on now.”

1. Use the “Strength” slider to adjust the intensity of the Night light mode.

1. Use the “Schedule night light” option to set a specific time for the Night Light mode to turn on and off automatically.

Tip: check out these essential PowerShell commands you should know.

Using Windows PowerShell

If you’re a more experienced user looking to adjust screen brightness on a Windows device, you can use Windows PowerShell.

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Windows PowerShell.”

1. Right-click on Windows PowerShell and select “Run as administrator.”

1. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:

(Get-WmiObject -Namespace root/WMI -Class WmiMonitorBrightnessMethods).WmiSetBrightness(1,YOUR_DESIRED_BRIGHTNESS_LEVEL)

1. Replace “YOUR_DESIRED_BRIGHTNESS_LEVEL” with a value between 1 and 100. For example:

(Get-WmiObject -Namespace root/WMI -Class WmiMonitorBrightnessMethods).WmiSetBrightness(1,100)

Using Third-Party Apps

In addition to the built-in options for adjusting screen brightness on Windows devices, various third-party apps provide additional customization options and features. These apps are quite useful if you want more control over your display settings.

• F.lux – a free app that adjusts the color temperature of your screen based on the time of day. F.lux helps reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality by reducing the amount of blue light emitted by your screen.

• Dimmer – also free, Dimmer allows you to adjust the brightness of your screen beyond the normal range of your device. It can be particularly useful if you work in low-light conditions or want more control over your screen brightness levels.

Good to know: if you’re looking to upgrade your monitor, check out our monitor buying guide to ensure you pick the best possible option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PC keep adjusting screen brightness automatically?

Your PC may keep adjusting screen brightness automatically if the “Change brightness automatically when lighting changes” feature is enabled in the Windows settings. This feature uses the ambient light sensor to adjust the screen brightness based on the lighting conditions in your environment. To disable this feature, go to “Settings -> System -> Display” and toggle off “Change brightness automatically when lighting changes.”

What is the best brightness level for a computer screen?

A recommended brightness level for your computer screen is 50 to 75 percent of maximum brightness or until the white background on your screen looks like a white piece of paper. In totality, the best brightness level for your screen depends on the total nits of screen brightness, the lighting conditions in your environment, and your personal preferences.

What triggers automatic screen brightness in Windows?

The ambient light sensor determines the automatic screen brightness in Windows. This sensor measures the amount of light in the environment and adjusts the screen’s brightness accordingly. Keep in mind that not all computer screens have ambient light sensors, though they’re quite common in laptops.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Khizer Kaleem.

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Khizer Kaleem

Khizer Kaleem is a content writer at MTE. Having more than 15 years of experience with Windows OS, he has been showing his subject expertise by writing on various technical problems that users face. The content that Khizer produces helps readers resolve their Windows-related issues.

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