The fastest way to turn up brightness on your computer
On most computers, you can raise the brightness using keyboard shortcuts or your operating system's settings. The quickest method depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether your keyboard has dedicated brightness keys.
Windows laptops usually have brightness keys along the top row of the keyboard — look for a sun icon with an up arrow. Press that key to increase brightness when ready. If your keyboard does not have these keys, or if you use a desktop monitor, you will need to access brightness through your settings instead.
Mac laptops have brightness keys in the top row as well, marked with a sun icon. Press the key on the right to increase brightness. On Mac desktops connected to an external monitor, brightness is controlled through System Settings instead.
Key Takeaways
- Windows and Mac laptops have dedicated brightness keys in the top row of the keyboard that work when ready without opening any menus.
- If your keyboard lacks brightness keys, you can adjust brightness through your operating system's display settings in under a minute.
- Desktop monitors connected to Windows or Mac computers are controlled through the monitor's physical buttons on the back or side, not through your computer.
- Some older laptops and external monitors may require you to install or update drivers before brightness controls work properly.
Using keyboard shortcuts on Windows
Windows laptops with brightness keys make this the simplest approach. Look at the top row of your keyboard for keys marked with a sun symbol — one with an up arrow increases brightness, and one with a down arrow decreases it. Press the up arrow key to raise the brightness level.
If your keyboard does not have these keys, or if the keys do not work, your laptop may need a driver update. Check your laptop manufacturer's support website for the latest chipset or keyboard drivers, read them, and restart your computer.
Some Windows laptops require you to hold the Fn key (usually in the bottom left corner) while pressing the brightness keys. Try pressing Fn plus the brightness key if the brightness key alone does not work.
Using keyboard shortcuts on Mac
Mac laptops have brightness keys built into the keyboard. Look for the sun icon in the top row — the key on the left decreases brightness, and the key on the right increases it. Press the right-hand sun key to turn up the brightness.
If the brightness keys do not respond, restart your Mac and try again. If they still do not work, the keyboard may need a firmware update. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
Adjusting brightness through Windows settings
If your keyboard has no brightness keys, or if you prefer to use settings instead, Windows lets you control brightness through the display panel. Right-click on your desktop background and select Display settings. Scroll down until you see the Brightness and contrast section.
You will see a slider labeled Brightness. Click and drag it to the right to increase brightness, or use the plus button next to it. The change takes effect when ready. You can also use the Quick Settings menu: press Windows key + A to open Quick Settings, then drag the brightness slider.
Adjusting brightness through Mac settings
On a Mac, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Displays. You will see a Brightness slider. Drag it to the right to increase brightness. The change happens right away.
You can also control brightness from the Control Center. Click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of your screen, then drag the brightness slider. This method is faster if you adjust brightness often.
Controlling brightness on external monitors
If you use a desktop computer or a laptop connected to an external monitor, the monitor itself controls brightness, not your computer. Look for physical buttons on the back or bottom edge of the monitor — usually a row of four or five buttons. One of them controls brightness.
Press the button labeled with a sun icon or a plus sign to raise brightness. If your monitor has no labeled buttons, refer to the manual that came with it, or search online for your monitor's model number plus "brightness adjustment." Some monitors use an on-screen menu system instead of physical buttons — pressing the menu button will show you options.
If your monitor has no physical controls at all, it may be controlled through your computer's graphics card software. Check your graphics card manufacturer's website — Nvidia, AMD, and Intel all provide control panels for adjusting monitor settings through your computer.
Troubleshooting brightness controls that do not work
If your brightness keys do nothing, first check whether your keyboard requires the Fn key. Hold Fn and press the brightness key. If that works, your keyboard is set to require Fn for these keys, and you can change this in your BIOS settings (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac).
On Windows, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager. Look for Keyboards, right-click it, and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Restart your computer when the update finishes.
On Mac, brightness controls sometimes stop working after a macOS update. Restart your Mac first — this fixes the problem in most cases. If brightness still does not work, go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my brightness keys not work even though my keyboard has them?
Your keyboard may require the Fn key to be held down, or your computer may need a driver update. Try holding Fn while pressing the brightness key. If that works, you can usually change this setting in your BIOS (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac) so you do not have to hold Fn every time.
Can I adjust brightness on an external monitor from my computer?
Most external monitors are controlled by physical buttons on the monitor itself, not by your computer. Some gaming and professional monitors can be controlled through your graphics card software — check your graphics card manufacturer's website to see if your monitor is supported.
My monitor has no buttons and no menu. How do I change brightness?
Check whether your monitor connects to your computer through a USB cable or DisplayPort cable with two-way communication. If it does, your graphics card software may control it. Search online for your monitor model number plus "software control" to see if a control panel is available.
Is there a way to set brightness to turn up automatically at certain times?
Yes. Windows has a feature called Adaptive brightness that adjusts brightness based on ambient light if your laptop has a light sensor. Go to Settings > System > Display and toggle Adaptive brightness on. Mac has a similar feature called Auto-brightness in System Settings > Displays.
Does turning up brightness use more battery on a laptop?
Yes. A brighter screen uses more power. If you are on battery and want to extend your runtime, lowering brightness is one of the most effective ways to do so. Many laptops have a battery saver mode that automatically lowers brightness when the battery is low.