To change the brightness in Windows 10, press Windows + A to open Action Center and drag the brightness slider at the bottom. You can also go to Settings > System > Display and move the Change brightness for the built-in display slider. On most laptops, the brightness keys on the keyboard work too.
Applies to: Windows 10 laptops, tablets, and all-in-one PCs. For a separate monitor, see below. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 24, 2026.
Use Action Center (quickest)
- Press Windows + A, or select the speech-bubble icon at the right end of the taskbar.
- Drag the brightness slider at the bottom of Action Center. Left is dimmer, right is brighter.
If you only see a brightness tile instead of a slider, select it to step through brightness levels. If there’s no slider or tile, select Expand, or see the fixes below.
Use the slider in Settings
- Select Start > Settings > System > Display.
- Under Brightness and color, drag the Change brightness for the built-in display slider.
Use the keyboard
Most laptops have brightness keys marked with a sun icon, often on two of the F keys (such as F5 and F6) or the arrow keys. On some laptops, hold Fn while pressing them. The exact keys vary by maker, so check the icons on your keyboard.
Change brightness on an external monitor
Windows 10 usually can’t change the brightness of a separate desktop monitor, so there may be no slider at all. Use the buttons on the monitor to open its menu and adjust Brightness. Some monitor makers offer a free app that does this from Windows.
Let Windows adjust brightness for you
- Automatic brightness: on PCs with a light sensor, check Change brightness automatically when lighting changes on the Display page. Clear it if brightness keeps changing on its own.
- Battery saver: it can dim the screen to save power. Check Settings > System > Battery and the Lower screen brightness while in battery saver option.
- Power plan: some laptops set a lower brightness on battery. In Control Panel > Power Options, select Change plan settings to check.
If there’s no brightness slider or it doesn’t work
- Update the display driver: right-click Start, select Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card, and select Update driver.
- Check for a Basic Display Adapter: if Device Manager shows Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, the real driver is missing. Get it from Windows Update or your PC maker’s website.
- Check the monitor driver: under Monitors, right-click Generic PnP Monitor, and make sure it’s enabled.
- Restart the PC after updating drivers.
Reduce eye strain at night
Turn on Night light on the same Display page, or from Action Center. It makes colors warmer in the evening without lowering the brightness. Select Night light settings to schedule it from sunset to sunrise.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the brightness shortcut in Windows 10?
There isn’t a single Windows shortcut. Use your laptop’s brightness keys, or press Windows + A and use the slider.
Why does my screen dim by itself?
Automatic brightness, battery saver, or your power plan is usually the cause. Check the settings in the section above.
Does lower brightness save battery?
Yes. The screen is one of the biggest battery users, so dimming it helps a laptop last longer.
To choose how long the screen stays on, see how to change the screen timeout in Windows 10.
To reduce blue light in the evening, see how to turn on Night light in Windows 10.
Microsoft’s guide is Change display brightness and color in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.