The quickest way to turn up brightness depends on your device

On most laptops, you can raise brightness using keyboard shortcuts — usually the Function key (Fn) held down with an arrow or number key marked with a sun symbol. On Windows desktops connected to an external monitor, you use the physical buttons on the monitor itself, or adjust it through Windows settings. On a Mac, you go to System Settings and find Displays. The exact steps differ by device, so this guide walks through each type.

Brightness controls are designed to be quick to reach because you may need to adjust them throughout the day as lighting around you changes. Whether you are using a laptop keyboard, monitor buttons, or your computer's settings menu, the process takes only a few seconds once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Laptop brightness is usually controlled by pressing Fn plus a key with a sun icon, often the up arrow or a numbered key.
  • External monitors have physical buttons on the front or side that let you adjust brightness without touching your computer.
  • Windows computers can also adjust brightness through Settings > System > Display if keyboard shortcuts do not work.
  • Mac computers adjust brightness through System Settings > Displays, or by pressing the brightness keys on the keyboard.
  • If brightness keys do nothing, your graphics driver may need updating, or the monitor may need a physical reset.

Brightness controls on Windows laptops

Most Windows laptops have brightness keys on the keyboard. Look for keys with a sun symbol — one with rays pointing outward means increase, and one with fewer rays means decrease. These are usually on the top row of keys, often paired with F1 through F12. Hold down the Fn key (usually in the bottom left corner) and press the brightness key. You should see a brightness bar appear on your screen and the screen should get brighter or darker.

If your laptop does not have visible sun symbols on the keys, check your laptop's manual or manufacturer website to find which keys control brightness. Some Dell, HP, and Lenovo models use different key combinations. If the keyboard shortcuts do not work, your graphics driver may be outdated. Go to Settings > System > Display and scroll down to find the brightness slider — drag it to the right to increase brightness.

Brightness controls on Mac laptops

Mac laptops have brightness keys on the keyboard, usually in the top row. The key with three lines and a dot on the left decreases brightness; the key with three lines and a dot on the right increases it. Press the right-side key to make your screen brighter. You do not need to hold Fn on most newer Macs — just press the key directly.

If the keys do not work, or if you want to fine-tune brightness more precisely, go to the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, then click Displays. A brightness slider appears — drag it to the right. You can also control brightness from Control Center: click the Control Center icon in the top right corner and adjust the brightness slider there.

Brightness controls on external monitors

If your computer is connected to an external monitor (a separate screen), the monitor itself has physical buttons to control brightness. Look on the front or bottom edge of the monitor for buttons or a small joystick. Press the button labeled with a sun symbol or a plus sign, or use the joystick to navigate a menu and select brightness. The monitor's on-screen display will show you the brightness level as you adjust it.

Different monitor brands place these buttons in different spots — Dell monitors often have them on the bottom bezel, while LG and ASUS models may have them on the side. If you cannot find physical buttons, check your monitor's manual. Some newer monitors also have brightness controls in Windows Settings under Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display Settings, but the physical buttons are usually faster and do not require your computer to be powered on.

Adjusting brightness through Windows Settings

If keyboard shortcuts are not working, you can adjust brightness directly in Windows. Click the Start button, type "Settings," and open the Settings app. Click System on the left side, then Display. You should see a brightness slider near the top of the screen. Drag the slider to the right to increase brightness or to the left to decrease it. The change takes effect when ready.

Windows also has a quick brightness control in the taskbar. Click the battery icon in the bottom right corner (or the network icon if you are plugged in), and a panel opens with a brightness slider. This is the fastest way if you need to adjust brightness often. Some Windows laptops also let you adjust brightness by swiping from the right edge of the screen, though this is less common on newer versions of Windows.

What to do if brightness keys do not work

If your brightness keys are not responding, the problem is usually an outdated or missing graphics driver. Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, and look for Display Adapters. Click the arrow next to it to expand the list, right-click your graphics card (usually Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD), and select Update Driver. Windows will search for the latest version and install it. Restart your computer after the update finishes.

If updating the driver does not help, try restarting your computer — sometimes the brightness control gets stuck and a restart fixes it. On a laptop, also check your manufacturer's support website to read any brightness or keyboard control software specific to your model. If you are using an external monitor and the brightness buttons do not work, try unplugging the monitor for 30 seconds and plugging it back in to reset it. This power cycle often restores the buttons to working order.

Brightness and eye strain

Brightness that is too high or too low can make your eyes tired. In bright rooms, increase brightness so the screen does not look dim compared to your surroundings. In dark rooms, lower brightness to avoid harsh glare. Many people find that matching screen brightness to the light around them reduces eye strain during long work sessions.

Windows and Mac both have features to adjust brightness automatically based on the time of day. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Display and toggle on Adaptive brightness. On Mac, go to System Settings > Displays and check Automatically adjust brightness. These features gradually warm the screen color and lower brightness in the evening, which some people find easier on the eyes before bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my brightness stuck at one level?

Your graphics driver may be outdated or corrupted. Open Device Manager (right-click Start and select it), expand Display Adapters, right-click your graphics card, and select Update Driver. If that does not work, restart your computer. On a Mac, restart and hold Command + Option + P + R to reset the system management controller, which sometimes fixes brightness issues.

Can I set different brightness levels for different programs?

Windows and Mac do not have built-in features to change brightness per program. However, some applications like video players or photo editors have their own brightness controls within the program itself. For overall system brightness, you adjust it once and it applies to everything you open.

What if my monitor has no brightness buttons and is not showing up in Windows settings?

Some older or budget monitors do not have adjustable brightness. Check your monitor's manual to confirm. If it should have controls but they are not appearing in Windows, the monitor may need a USB cable connected to your computer in addition to the display cable. Plug in the USB cable and restart your computer.

Is there a way to make brightness changes less jarring?

Both Windows and Mac adjust brightness smoothly when you use the slider or keyboard keys, so you should not see sudden jumps. If brightness changes feel abrupt, try adjusting more slowly by pressing the brightness key multiple times instead of holding it down continuously.