How to turn down brightness on Windows 11
Can’t find the brightness controls on your PC? Here’s the help you need on Windows 11.
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If you want to turn down or up the brightness on your laptop or desktop computer,Windows 11offers multiple methods to complete this configuration.
You can complete this configuration from the Quick Settings flyout, Settings app, keyboard shortcut, monitor’s built-in controls, and more. The key is knowing where to find the options and when to use each.
For example, you should always use the built-in controls on external monitors since you don’t want to change the brightness with software artificially. Also, many options won’t be available on Windows 11 if you have an external monitor.
On the other hand, on laptops, you won’t have access to the built-in controls, so in this case, the operating system will make the options available to adjust the brightness.
In thishow-to guide, I will share the different ways to change the brightness on your computer regardless of its form factor.
How to turn brightness level down or up on Windows 11
On your desktop computer or laptop, you can use software and hardware controls to adjust the brightness level of the display.
Quick Settings
To turn down or up the screen brightness from the Quick Settings flyout, use these steps:
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Display settings
To change the brightness from the Settings app, use these steps:
Power & battery
To lower the brightness intensity on your laptop, use these steps:
Graphics app
Graphics card manufacturers (such as Nvidia and AMD) include applications to manage card settings and usually include the option to change the screen brightness.
These instructions show how to change the brightness using the Nvidia Control Panel:
Control Panel
You can also use the legacy Control Panel to change the Windows 11 brightness through the Mobile Center, and here’s how:
Keyboard shortcut
To lower the brightness using a keyboard shortcut, use the dedicated function keys on the top row. Each manufacturer is different, but they usually assign brightness options to the"F1"(lower) and"F2"(increase) or"F2"and"F3."
If you have changed the functionality of the function keys to execute corresponding keys, you may have to press and hold the"FN"key + one of the function keys from the top row, including"F1," “F2,” “F3,“etc.
Screen built-in controls
If your desktop computer or laptop is connected to an external monitor, you shouldn’t be using the software settings. You should be using the built-in controls on the monitor.
The built-in controls (or OSD menu) can be found on the left, right, bottom, or back side of the monitor. Once you open the menu, navigate the available settings until you find the brightness option, and use the physical controls to turn down or up the intensity level.
Once you complete the steps, the brightness level will lower or increase according to your configuration.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
