Setting your screen brightness is a crucial feature no matter what device you use. But it’s particularly important to get the optimal brightness level if you spend hours of the day in front of a computer.
For Windows 10 laptop users, there are usually designated brightness buttons that make setup easier. But desktop users need to apply a workaround to achieve the same goal.
Adjusting screen brightness can make a difference in terms of eye strain and overall comfort, so knowing how to manage it correctly is essential.
How to adjust the brightness on your desktop monitor
You can access screen brightness in Windows 10 using the Win key + me shortcut. This path also takes you to other display settings, such as how to rearrange displays if you’re using more than one.
Windows 10 laptop and all-in-one PC users will also find the brightness slider in display settings, but if you’re using an external monitor, these features won’t appear. Instead, you’ll need to go 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 look for the brightness option and choose the setting that suits you best.
If you are having trouble finding the brightness setting on your monitor, you will need to consult the documentation. If you haven’t saved it, perhaps look up the manufacturer’s instruction manual online.
How to Adjust Brightness Using the Display Controller Control Panel
Your computer has a display driver provided by the manufacturer, which you can access through a designated control panel.
For example, you may have the Intel UHD Graphics Control Panel or the NVIDIA Control Panel. These panels can be downloaded from the official websites or the Microsoft Store and you can use them to adjust the brightness levels.
Although first you need to know what type of graphics card your computer has. You can check Device Manager to get the correct information:
- Press Win key + simultaneously.
- Select Device administrator.
- Expand the Display adapters p.
You will get the exact name of your graphics card. For example, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you should go to the Microsoft store and search for “NVIDIA Control Panel.” Once you download and install the control panel, here’s how you adjust the brightness:
- Launch the NVIDIA Control Panel. In the left side panel, select Show.
- Select Adjust desktop color settings.
- Under the How are color adjustments made?prefer to Use NVIDIA settings.
- Move the Glow slider to find the optimal settings.
- Select Apply.
Adjust brightness using a keyboard
This solution is not a guaranteed success, but it 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.
Look on your keyboard for a glow icon (flower or sun shape) and give it a try. If it works, you will 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 put excessive strain on your eyes. That’s why Windows 10 has a built-in night light feature for both laptops and desktops. If you want to turn on your computer’s night light manually, here’s what you need to do:
- Go to Windows 10 Action Center by clicking in the lower right corner of the screen.
- Click on the Night light option.
The screen brightness will be adjusted automatically, making it more comfortable to watch the screen at night.
However, if you want to adjust these settings further or create a night light schedule, you need to go to Windows 10 display settings:
- Use the Win key + me shortcut.
- Click System.
- After clicking Systemhit Show.
- Under the Night light option, select Night light settings.
- You will see a slider that represents the intensity of the night light. Move it around until you find what works for you.
- There’s a Schedule night light toggle switch below the slider. Move it from Off to In.
- You can select a default option, From dusk to dawnor check the Set hours Option to customize the schedule.
Note: The “Dusk to Sunrise” option uses your device’s location and the default Windows 10 Weather app to determine when sunset and sunrise are in your area.
Adjust the brightness according to your preferences
Likewise, a very bright screen is not good for you when you work at night; You need all the brightness you can get when it’s noon. Windows 10 display settings are quite simple, especially if you are a laptop user.
PC users must rely on inpidual 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 running Windows 10.
Some users may be lucky and get the glow keys on their keyboard and a compatible monitor. Others may find that their graphics card’s proprietary control panel offers all the access to the display settings they need.