The fastest way to brighten your screen

Most computers let you raise brightness in seconds using keyboard shortcuts or the settings menu. On Windows, press the brightness keys on your keyboard—usually marked with a sun symbol and located in the F-key row. On Mac, press the brightness up key, typically marked with a sun and located near the top right of the keyboard. If your keyboard has no brightness keys, you can adjust it through your system settings instead.

The brightness change takes effect when ready. You should see the screen get noticeably brighter within a second or two. If the change is too subtle or too extreme, you can make smaller adjustments by pressing the key multiple times.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac both have dedicated brightness keys on the keyboard, usually in the F-key row, that adjust brightness when ready.
  • If your keyboard has no brightness keys, you can raise brightness through Settings on Windows or System Preferences on Mac.
  • Laptop screens often have brightness controls built into the keyboard, while external monitors have physical buttons or on-screen menus.
  • Brightness that feels right depends on your room's lighting and the time of day—brighter rooms need brighter screens.
  • If your screen stays dim no longer after adjusting, the monitor itself may need repair or replacement.

Using keyboard shortcuts on Windows

On most Windows laptops, the brightness keys sit in the function row at the top of the keyboard. Look for keys with a sun symbol—one with a minus sign (dimmer) and one with a plus sign (brighter). Press the brightness-up key repeatedly until the screen reaches the brightness you want. Each press raises the brightness by one step, so you have fine control.

If your keyboard does not have brightness keys, or if they do not work, check whether your laptop maker installed special software. Some manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo include their own brightness control programs. Open the Start menu, search for your laptop brand plus "brightness" or "power settings," and look for a dedicated app. If you find one, launch it and adjust the slider.

Using keyboard shortcuts on Mac

Mac keyboards have brightness keys in the function row, usually on the far left side near the power button. The key with three lines and a sun symbol raises brightness; the one with fewer lines lowers it. Press the brightness-up key as many times as you need. The brightness bar appears on screen so you can see exactly how bright the screen is getting.

On newer MacBook models, the brightness keys may require you to hold the Function key first, depending on your settings. If the brightness keys do not work, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions), click Displays, and drag the Brightness slider to the right.

Adjusting brightness through Windows Settings

If your keyboard has no brightness keys, or you prefer using the menu, Windows lets you adjust brightness in Settings. Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. Look for a Brightness slider near the top of the window. Drag it to the right to brighten the screen, or left to dim it. The change happens in real time as you move the slider.

Some Windows computers also show a brightness slider in the Quick Settings panel. Click the battery icon in the bottom right corner of the taskbar, then look for a Brightness option. You can drag the slider there without opening the full Settings menu.

Adjusting brightness on external monitors

External monitors (the kind you plug into a desktop computer or laptop) do not respond to your computer's keyboard shortcuts. Instead, they have physical buttons on the front or bottom of the monitor. Look for buttons labeled with a sun symbol or a plus and minus sign. Press the button marked with a plus or sun to brighten the screen. You may see an on-screen menu appear showing the brightness level as you adjust it.

Some monitors have a menu button that opens an on-screen display. Press it, navigate to Brightness using the arrow buttons, and then use the plus or minus buttons to raise or lower it. If your monitor came with a manual, it will show you exactly which buttons to use. If you have lost the manual, search online for your monitor's model number plus "brightness adjustment."

Why your screen might not brighten

If you press the brightness keys and nothing happens, the keys may be disabled or your laptop may need a driver update. Try restarting your computer first—this fixes many temporary glitches. If brightness still does not change, check whether your keyboard has a Function Lock key (often labeled Fn Lock). If it is on, turn it off by pressing Fn + Esc or Fn + the Function Lock key, then try the brightness keys again.

On Windows, open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it), find Display Adapters, and right-click on your graphics card. Select Update Driver and let Windows search for the latest version. On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Software Update, and install any available updates. If the screen stays dim after these steps, the monitor itself may have a hardware problem and may need professional repair.

Choosing the right brightness for your space

The correct brightness depends on your room's lighting. In a bright room with lots of natural light, you may need to raise brightness to 80 or 90 percent so the screen is not washed out. In a dim room or at night, 40 to 60 percent brightness is usually comfortable and easier on your eyes. If you work in changing light throughout the day, you may need to adjust brightness several times.

Many computers have an auto-brightness feature that adjusts the screen based on ambient light sensors. On Windows, this is called Adaptive Brightness. On Mac, it is called Auto-Brightness. Both are found in display settings. If you turn this on, your screen will brighten and dim automatically as the light in your room changes, so you do not have to adjust it manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my screen brightness keep resetting?

If brightness resets every time you restart, a driver is likely missing or outdated. On Windows, update your graphics driver through Device Manager or your laptop maker's support website. On Mac, check Software Update in System Preferences. If brightness resets only when you unplug your laptop, you may have set different brightness levels for battery and plugged-in modes—this is normal and can be changed in power settings.

Can I brighten my screen beyond the maximum setting?

No. The maximum brightness your screen can reach is set by the monitor's hardware. If the screen is already at 100 percent and still looks too dim, the monitor may be aging or damaged. You can try cleaning the screen with a microfiber cloth, as dust and fingerprints reduce perceived brightness. If it is still too dim, the backlight may be failing and the monitor may need replacement.

Does raising brightness use more battery power?

Yes. A brighter screen uses more power from your laptop battery. If you are working unplugged and want to extend battery life, lowering brightness to a comfortable level can add 30 minutes to an hour of use. Many laptops let you set different brightness levels for battery mode and plugged-in mode, so you can have a bright screen when plugged in and a dimmer one when running on battery.

What is the difference between brightness and contrast?

Brightness controls how light or dark the entire screen is. Contrast controls the difference between the lightest and darkest parts of the image. You adjust brightness with the sun-symbol keys or the Brightness slider. Contrast is usually found deeper in display settings and is rarely needed unless you are doing detailed image or video work.

Why does my external monitor not respond to brightness keys?

External monitors are separate devices and do not receive commands from your computer's keyboard. You must use the physical buttons on the monitor itself. Look for buttons on the front, bottom, or back of the monitor marked with a sun symbol or plus and minus signs. If your monitor has no buttons, it may not have a brightness control—some budget monitors have fixed brightness.