How to adjust display brightness on Windows 11 and 10

1. Adjust a built-in laptop screen with Windows

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Display.
2. Find Brightness and move the slider, if Windows exposes one for your built-in screen.
3. For quicker access in Windows 11, select the Network icon on the taskbar and use the brightness slider. In Windows 10, open Action Center and use its slider.

Your keyboard may also have labeled brightness keys; the keys and any Fn requirement depend on the device. See brightness keyboard shortcuts and external-monitor hotkeys.

These native steps follow Microsoft's Windows brightness instructions. If the missing slider is for an external monitor, use the next method.

2. Adjust an external monitor with its buttons

1. Find the buttons or joystick on the monitor and open its on-screen menu.
2. Find Brightness, often under a Picture or Display menu, and change it to a comfortable level. Menu names vary by model.
3. If the control is locked or missing, check the monitor manual for restrictions in its current picture or HDR mode.

This changes the monitor's own brightness without an app. Microsoft recommends the monitor's buttons when Windows does not expose a native slider. For a slider you can use from your PC, continue below.

3. Use Display Dimmer for sliders on your PC

Display Dimmer puts brightness controls for detected displays in one app. Its sliders are separate from Windows Settings.

1. Install Display Dimmer and open it from Start or its tray icon.
2. Choose one display, or choose All displays to adjust all screens with brightness control enabled.
3. Move the Brightness slider and check the result on the selected screen.

Check the selected screen in Settings > Displays. Keep Brightness control enabled on. For a supported external monitor, enable DDC/CI in its own menu and turn on Use hardware brightness (DDC/CI) in the app. For a built-in laptop panel, use Windows brightness controls for hardware brightness and Display Dimmer for software dimming. Turn that display's hardware switch off to use software brightness. Display switches take effect when toggled.

Why external monitor brightness is different

Laptop brightness is usually controlled directly by Windows. External monitors are different because many of them store brightness control inside the monitor itself.

DDC/CI hardware control in an app depends on the monitor and connection. When it is unavailable, gamma dimming can darken the picture on supported SDR displays without changing the backlight. HDR may bypass or limit software dimming. Compare hardware brightness and gamma dimming.

If brightness control does not work

First separate a missing native Windows slider from an app slider that moves without changing the screen:

• No native external-monitor slider: this can be normal. Use the monitor menu or an app; see the Windows 11 missing-slider checklist.
• External-monitor hardware brightness does not respond: check the app's hardware-brightness switch and DDC/CI in the monitor menu, then compare a supported direct cable connection with any dock, adapter or KVM.
• Software dimming does not respond: check whether HDR is on for that display. Gamma dimming is not guaranteed in HDR; Microsoft explains the HDR settings.

For further checks, use the external-monitor troubleshooting hub.

Automate brightness on Windows

Once brightness control is working, Display Dimmer can also automate your brightness settings.

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