Can’t Adjust Brightness on Windows 10? Here’s How to Fix
Having control over your screen’s brightness is essential for a comfortable computing experience. If you’re struggling to adjust the brightness on your Windows 10 machine, don’t worry! Here are several troubleshooting steps to help you regain control:
1. Check the Basic Controls:
- Action Center: Look for the brightness slider in your Action Center. This is typically accessed by clicking the battery icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar (or swiping up from the bottom on a touchscreen device). If the slider is there, but unresponsive, proceed to the next steps.
- Keyboard Keys: Many laptops have dedicated brightness control keys. These are often function keys with brightness symbols or located near the volume control keys. Try pressing these keys (often in combination with the Fn key) to adjust the brightness.
2. Update Graphics Drivers:
Outdated graphics drivers can sometimes cause brightness control issues. Here’s how to update them:
- Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters.
- Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If Windows doesn’t find an update, visit your device manufacturer’s website and download the latest graphics driver compatible with your system.
3. Reset Power Settings:
Corrupted power settings might interfere with brightness control. Here’s how to reset them:
- Open Control Panel (search for it in the Start Menu).
- Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Click on Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Scroll down and ensure the Turn on fast startup (recommended) box is unchecked.
- Click Save changes, then restart your computer.
4. Check for Windows Updates:
Microsoft might have released a fix for the brightness control issue in a recent update. Here’s how to check:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click on Check for updates.
- Install any available updates and restart your computer if prompted.
5. Consider Third-Party Software Conflicts:
Some display management software or third-party applications can conflict with Windows’ brightness controls. Try temporarily disabling any such software and see if the issue persists.
6. In Rare Cases: Hardware Issues
If none of the above solutions work, there’s a slight chance the problem might be hardware-related. In such cases, consulting a technician or your device manufacturer for further diagnosis might be necessary.
Bonus Tip: If you’re using a laptop, ensure it’s not plugged into a power source while the battery is critically low. In some cases, low battery conditions can disable brightness adjustments.
By following these steps systematically, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue preventing you from adjusting your screen brightness in Windows 10. If you’re still facing issues after trying all these solutions, feel free to search online for more specific troubleshooting steps related to your computer model or graphics card.