The fastest way to turn up brightness on your computer

On most computers, you can raise the brightness in seconds using your keyboard. Look for keys with a sun symbol or brightness icon — usually on the top row of your keyboard, often marked with F1 through F12. Hold the Fn key (bottom left of your keyboard) and press the brightness-up key. The screen should brighten when ready, and you may see a brightness bar appear on screen showing your progress.

If your keyboard has no brightness keys, or if they do not work, you can adjust brightness through your operating system settings instead. The method depends on whether you use Windows or Mac, and takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Most laptops have brightness keys on the keyboard (usually F1–F12 with a sun symbol) that work when held with the Fn key.
  • Windows computers can adjust brightness through Settings > System > Display, or through the Quick Settings menu in the taskbar.
  • Mac computers adjust brightness using the Control Center or by pressing the brightness keys (usually F1 and F2).
  • Desktop monitors have physical buttons on the monitor itself, usually on the bottom or side, labeled with a sun or brightness symbol.
  • If brightness keys do not work, check that your keyboard drivers are up to date, or try adjusting through your system settings instead.

Brightness keys on Windows laptops

Windows laptops almost always have brightness keys built into the keyboard. Look at the top row of keys (F1 through F12) for a sun symbol with an upward arrow or plus sign. This is your brightness-up key. Hold the Fn key in the bottom left corner of your keyboard and press the brightness-up key repeatedly until the screen reaches the brightness you want.

You will usually see a brightness bar appear on your screen showing how bright the display is now. The bar disappears after a few seconds. If you overshoot and make the screen too bright, use the same Fn key plus the brightness-down key (usually marked with a sun and downward arrow) to dim it back down.

If the brightness keys do not respond, your keyboard drivers may be out of date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. If updates are available, install them and restart your computer, then try the brightness keys again.

Brightness adjustment through Windows Settings

If your keyboard brightness keys do not work, or if you prefer to adjust brightness through a menu, Windows Settings offers a brightness slider. Press the Windows key (bottom left, with the Windows logo) and type "brightness" into the search box. Click "Brightness and color settings" from the results.

A window will open with a slider labeled "Brightness and color." Drag the slider to the right to brighten the screen, or to the left to dim it. The change takes effect when ready. You can also find a quick brightness slider in the taskbar: click the battery icon in the bottom right corner (or the network icon if you are plugged in), then look for a brightness slider in the Quick Settings panel that appears.

Brightness adjustment on Mac computers

Mac laptops have brightness keys on the keyboard, usually F1 (to dim) and F2 (to brighten). Press F2 repeatedly to raise the brightness, or F1 to lower it. You will see a brightness bar appear on screen. Unlike Windows, you do not need to hold the Fn key — just press the brightness key directly.

If the brightness keys do not work, or if you want to adjust brightness through a menu, open Control Center by clicking the icon in the top right corner of your screen (it looks like a rectangle with sliders). Look for the brightness slider and drag it to the right to brighten the screen. On older Mac models, you may need to go to System Preferences > Displays instead.

Adjusting brightness on desktop monitors

Desktop monitors have physical buttons on the monitor itself, not on the keyboard. Look for buttons on the bottom edge or the right side of the monitor frame. One of these buttons usually controls brightness — it may be labeled with a sun symbol, or it may be the menu button that opens an on-screen display.

Press the brightness button or the menu button to open the monitor's control panel on screen. Use the arrow buttons to navigate to "Brightness" or a similar option, then use the plus or minus buttons to raise or lower it. The exact button layout varies by monitor brand, so if you cannot find the brightness control, check the manual that came with your monitor or search for your monitor model online.

Some monitors also have brightness controls in your computer's graphics settings. Right-click on your desktop and look for "Graphics Settings" or "Display Settings" — the exact name depends on your graphics card (Nvidia, AMD, or Intel). These settings let you adjust brightness for that specific monitor if you have multiple screens connected.

When brightness keys do not work

If your brightness keys light up but do not change the screen brightness, your keyboard drivers may need updating. On Windows, go to Settings > Device Manager, find "Keyboards" in the list, right-click on your keyboard, and select "Update driver." Windows will search for the latest version and install it if one is available.

If updating drivers does not help, the brightness control may be disabled in your BIOS (the system software that runs before Windows loads). This is rare on newer computers, but if you suspect it, restart your computer and watch for a message that says "Press F2" or "Press Delete" to enter Setup. Follow the on-screen instructions to find the brightness or keyboard settings and make sure they are enabled. If you are not comfortable with BIOS settings, use the Windows Settings brightness slider instead — it will work regardless.

On Mac, if the brightness keys do not work, restart your computer and try again. If the problem persists, go to System Preferences > Keyboard and check that the brightness keys are not disabled. You can also use Control Center to adjust brightness instead, which works even if the physical keys do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my brightness keep changing on its own?

Many laptops have automatic brightness adjustment that responds to the light in your room. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Display and turn off "Adaptive brightness." On Mac, go to System Preferences > Displays and uncheck "Automatically adjust brightness." Once you turn this off, your brightness will stay where you set it.

Can I set different brightness levels for different times of day?

Yes. Windows has a feature called "Night light" that reduces blue light in the evening, which you can schedule automatically. Go to Settings > System > Display > Night light and turn it on, then set the schedule. Mac has a similar feature called "Night Shift" in System Preferences > Displays. Both let you choose what time the dimmer setting turns on and off.

My monitor has brightness buttons but they do not work — what should I check?

First, make sure the monitor is powered on and connected to your computer with a cable. Some monitors require a USB cable in addition to the video cable for the buttons to work. If both cables are connected and the buttons still do not respond, try restarting your computer. If that does not help, check the monitor manual or the manufacturer's website to see if there is a driver or software you need to install.

Is it bad to keep my screen at full brightness all the time?

Full brightness uses more battery power on laptops and can cause eye strain over long periods. For everyday use, most people find a brightness level around 40 to 60 percent comfortable. If you work in a bright room, you may need higher brightness; in a dim room, lower brightness is easier on your eyes. Adjust to what feels comfortable for your environment.