How To Adjust Screen Brightness On Your Windows 11 Laptop (Quick Guide)

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4 min. read

Published on September 18, 2025

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Windows 11 offers several ways to adjust your laptop’s screen brightness, catering to different preferences and situations. Whether you’re working in bright sunlight or a dimly lit room, finding the perfect brightness level is crucial for eye comfort and optimal viewing. This guide will walk you through the various methods to achieve this, ensuring you always have the ideal screen brightness. We’ll cover both quick adjustments and more advanced settings for fine-tuning your display.

How Can I Change My Laptop Screen Brightness?

Here are the primary methods for adjusting screen brightness on your Windows 11 laptop:

Method 1: Using the Brightness Keys

Most laptops have dedicated brightness keys, usually F2, F12, or a combination of the Fn key (Function) and another key (often F5, F6, or similar). Look for sun icons (often depicting a sun with rays or a crescent moon) on your keyboard. Press the appropriate key(s) to increase or decrease the brightness. These keys directly control the backlight of your screen.

Method 2: Using the Action Center

Click the notification icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen).
Locate the brightness slider in the Action Center.
Drag the slider left or right to adjust the brightness. This method provides a visual representation of the brightness level.

Method 3: Using the Settings App

Open the Settings app (search for it in the Start menu or press Win + I).
Click on System.
Select Display.
Under "Brightness & color," you’ll find a slider to adjust the brightness. You can also enable "Adaptive brightness" here, which automatically adjusts brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.

Method 4: Using the Power Options (for advanced control)

Search for "Power & sleep settings" in the Start menu.
Click on "Additional power settings."
Select your current power plan (e.g., Balanced, High performance).
Click "Change plan settings."
Click "Change advanced power settings."
Expand "Display," then "Brightness."
Adjust the brightness settings for both "On battery" and "Plugged in" power modes. This allows for separate brightness levels depending on whether your laptop is running on battery or plugged into a power source.

Tips for Optimizing Screen Brightness

Regularly clean your screen: Dust and smudges can significantly affect brightness perception.
Calibrate your display: Windows offers display calibration tools to optimize color accuracy and brightness. Search for "Calibrate display color" in the Start menu.
Consider your environment: Adjust brightness based on the surrounding light levels for optimal viewing comfort. Avoid extreme brightness in low-light conditions or vice-versa.
Use night light: Reduce blue light emissions for better sleep and eye comfort, especially at night. You can find night light settings within the Display settings.

Wrap Up: Finding Your Perfect Brightness

Mastering screen brightness control on your Windows 11 laptop is simple once you understand the various methods available. Experiment with the different techniques outlined above to find the optimal brightness level for your specific needs and environment. Remember to utilize the advanced settings for more granular control and personalized comfort.

FAQs

How do I increase the brightness on my Windows 11 laptop if the brightness keys aren’t working?

Try using the Action Center or the Settings app to adjust the brightness. If the problem persists, check your device’s drivers, and consider restarting your computer or updating your system.

Why is my laptop screen so dim?

Several factors can cause dimness. Check your brightness settings (using the methods described above), ensure your power plan isn’t limiting brightness, and check for any screen damage or driver issues.

Can I schedule automatic brightness adjustments on my Windows 11 laptop?

While there isn’t a built-in scheduler for automatic brightness adjustments, you can use third-party apps to achieve this functionality. These apps often offer more advanced features for brightness management.

How do I fix a brightness issue where the screen flickers or changes unexpectedly?

This could indicate a driver problem, hardware malfunction, or a conflict with other software. Try updating your graphics drivers, checking for system updates, and if the problem continues, consult a technician.