How To Adjust Brightness On A Windows 10 PC

The screen brightness setting is a crucial feature, regardless of which device you use. But it’s particularly important to get the brightness level optimal if you’re spending hours of your day in front of a computer.

For Windows 10 laptop users, there are typically the designated brightness buttons that make the setup effortless. But desktop users need to apply a workaround solution to achieve the same goal.

Adjusting screen brightness can make a difference in terms of eye strain and overall comfort, so it’s essential to know how to manage it correctly.

How to Adjust Brightness on Your Desktop Monitor

You can access the display brightness in Windows 10 by using the Win key + I shortcut. This route leads you to other Display settings, too, such as how to rearrange displays if you’re using more than one.

Windows 10 laptops and all-in-one PC users will find the brightness slider in the display setting, too, but if you’re using an external monitor, these features will not appear. Instead, you will need to tap into your monitor’s settings to adjust the brightness level.

Most monitors have a physical button in the bottom-right area. All you have to do is find the brightness option and choose the settings that work for you.

If you’re having issues finding the brightness settings on the monitor, you’ll need to consult the documentation. If you haven’t saved it, perhaps search for the manufacturer’s instruction manual online.

How to Adjust Brightness Using Display Driver Control Panel

Your computer has a display driver provided by the manufacturer, which you can access using a designated control panel.

For example, you can have the Intel UHD Graphics Control Panel or NVIDIA Control Panel. These panels can be downloaded from the official websites or the Microsoft Store, and you can use them to adjust brightness levels.

Although, you first need to know what kind of graphics card your computer has. You can check the Device Manager to get the correct information:

1. Press Win key + X simultaneously.
   
2. Select Device Manager.
   
3. Expand the Display adaptors section.
   

You will get the exact name of your graphics card. For example, if you have an NVIDIA graphic card, you should go to the Microsoft store and search for “NVIDIA Control Panel.” Once you download and install the control panel, this is how you adjust the brightness:

1. Launch the NVIDIA control panel. On the left-side pane, select Display.
   
2. Select Adjust desktop color settings.
   
3. Under the How do you make color adjustments?, opt for Use NVIDIA settings.
   
4. Move the Brightness slider to find the optimal setting.
   
5. Select Apply.
   

Adjust the Brightness Using a Keyboard

This solution is not a guaranteed success but may work in some situations. If you have a newer monitor model and a keyboard that has built-in brightness adjustment buttons, you might be in luck.

Check your keyboard for a brightness icon (flower or sun-like shapes) and test them. If it works, you’ll see immediate changes in brightness.

Using the Night Light in Windows 10

Working with an extremely bright screen, especially in the dark, can be tiring, and your eyes can experience excessive strain. That’s why Windows 10 has a built-in night light feature for both laptop and desktop computers. If you want to turn on the night light on your computer manually, here’s what you do:

1. Go to Windows 10 Action Center by clicking the bottom-right corner of the screen.
   
2. Click on the Night light option.
   

The screen brightness will automatically adjust, making it more comfortable to look at the screen at night.

However, if you want to adjust this setting further or create a night light schedule, you need to go to Windows 10 Display settings:

1. Use the Win key + I shortcut.
   
2. Click System.
   
3. After clicking System, hit Display.
   
4. Under the Night light option, select Night light settings.
   
5. You will see a slider that represents the strength of the night light. Move it until you find what works for you.
   
6. There is a Schedule night light toggle switch underneath the slider. Move it from Off to On.
   
7. You can select a default option, Sunset to sunrise, or check the Set hours option to customize the schedule.
   

Note: The “Sunset to sunrise” option uses your device’s location and Windows 10 default weather application to determine when the sunset and sunrise are in your area.

Adjusting the Brightness to Your Preference

In the same way, a very bright screen is not good for you when working at night; you need all the brightness you can get when it’s the middle of the day. Windows 10 Display settings are pretty straightforward, especially if you’re a laptop user.

PC users are left to rely on individual monitor settings to adjust the brightness to their liking. The only exception to this rule is the night light, which is available on all devices that operate on Windows 10.

Some users may be in luck and get the brightness keys on their keyboard and a compatible monitor. Others might find that their graphics card proprietary control panel offers all the access to display settings they need.

What is the most efficient solution, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments section below.