How to Fix Adaptive Brightness Not Working on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Adaptive brightness is a helpful feature in Windows 11 that automatically adjusts your screen brightness based on the lighting conditions around you. This helps reduce eye strain and can save battery life on laptops.

Sometimes, however, this feature may stop working properly. When that happens, your screen might stay too bright or too dim, regardless of the environment.

Fixing adaptive brightness issues can be simple if you follow a clear, step-by-step approach. This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to get it working again.

By the end, you should be able to enjoy a smooth, automatic brightness adjustment experience on your Windows 11 device.

Quick Note: Before You Start

Make sure your device has a built-in light sensor. Adaptive brightness depends on this sensor to detect ambient light.
Ensure your Windows 11 is updated to the latest version. Sometimes updates fix bugs related to adaptive brightness.
Check if your device is plugged in or running on battery. Some power settings change behavior depending on power source.
Restart your computer before trying any fixes to rule out temporary glitches.

Step 1: Check if Adaptive Brightness is Enabled

Sometimes, adaptive brightness might be turned off in your settings. Here’s how to verify and enable it:

Click the Start button and select Settings.
Go to System and then click on Display.
Scroll down and find the Brightness & color section.
Look for the option labeled “Change brightness automatically when lighting changes”. Make sure this toggle is turned On.

Why this step is important: If this setting is off, Windows will not adjust brightness automatically, regardless of sensor or driver status.

Step 2: Adjust Power Settings

Power settings can affect adaptive brightness, especially when switching between battery and plugged-in modes.

Open the Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).
Click on Hardware and Sound, then select Power Options.
Next to your current power plan, click Change plan settings.
Click on Change advanced power settings.
In the new window, scroll down and expand Display.
Expand Enable adaptive brightness.
Make sure adaptive brightness is set to On for both On battery and Plugged in modes.
Click Apply and then OK to save changes.

Why this step is important: Power plans can disable adaptive brightness to save battery or improve performance, so ensuring it is enabled here is necessary.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall Display and Sensor Drivers

Outdated or faulty drivers can cause adaptive brightness to stop working. Updating or reinstalling them often helps.

Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
In Device Manager, expand the Monitors section.
Right-click your display device (usually named Generic PnP Monitor) and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow any prompts.
Next, expand the Sensors section (if available).
Right-click the Light sensor device and update its driver the same way.
If updating doesn’t work, you can right-click and select Uninstall device. Then restart your PC to let Windows reinstall the drivers automatically.

Why this step is important: Drivers connect your hardware to the system. If they are outdated or corrupted, features like adaptive brightness won’t work properly.

Step 4: Check Registry Settings (Advanced)

This step involves editing the Windows Registry to ensure adaptive brightness is enabled on a system level. It is recommended only if you are comfortable with advanced settings.

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREIntelDisplayigfxcuiprofilesMediaBrighten Movie
Look for a DWORD value named ProcAmpBrightness or similar adaptive brightness-related keys.
Make sure their values are set properly (usually 1 to enable, 0 to disable).
If you’re unsure, back up the registry before making any changes by clicking File > Export.
Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Why this step is important: Sometimes group policies or manufacturer settings disable adaptive brightness at a deeper system level.

Step 5: Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows includes troubleshooting tools that can detect and fix common problems automatically.

Open Settings and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Power in the list and click Run next to it.
Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any fixes suggested.

Why this step is important: The troubleshooter can identify issues you might not notice and fix them automatically.

Alternative Methods and Advanced Options

BIOS/UEFI Settings: Some laptops have adaptive brightness options in their BIOS or UEFI firmware. Restart your PC and enter BIOS setup to check if any light sensor or adaptive brightness options are disabled.
Third-Party Software: Certain manufacturer utilities (like Dell Power Manager or HP Command Center) manage adaptive brightness. Update or configure these apps if available.
Reset Display Settings: Go to Settings > System > Display and click Advanced display settings. Reset to default if custom settings interfere.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is adaptive brightness not available on my Windows 11 device?

Your device may not have a built-in ambient light sensor, which is necessary for adaptive brightness to work. Check your device specifications or look for a sensor in Device Manager under Sensors.

Does adaptive brightness consume more battery?

Adaptive brightness usually helps save battery by lowering screen brightness in darker environments. However, if it constantly adjusts, it might use slightly more power due to sensor activity.

Can I use adaptive brightness with an external monitor?

Most external monitors do not have built-in light sensors, so adaptive brightness typically works only on the laptop’s internal display.

What if adaptive brightness still doesn’t work after trying all steps?

There could be a hardware issue with your light sensor or a deeper software conflict. Contact your device manufacturer support for further assistance.

Can I disable adaptive brightness permanently?

Yes, you can turn off the adaptive brightness toggle in Display settings or through power plan settings if you prefer manual control.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and adaptive brightness is still not working, it might be time to consider these options:

Contact Manufacturer Support: Your device’s hardware or specialized drivers may require professional help.
Windows Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support page for additional troubleshooting guides and help.
System Restore: If adaptive brightness stopped working recently, try restoring your system to a previous state where it was functioning.
Hardware Diagnostics: Run built-in hardware diagnostics tools (available on many laptops) to check if the light sensor is functioning correctly.

Conclusion

Adaptive brightness is a useful feature that improves your Windows 11 experience by adjusting screen brightness automatically. If it stops working, don’t worry—most issues can be fixed by enabling the right settings, updating drivers, or running simple troubleshooters.

Always start with the easiest solutions, like checking settings and power plans, before moving to advanced options like driver updates or registry edits. If the problem persists, professional support may be needed.

By following this detailed guide, you can restore adaptive brightness functionality and enjoy comfortable screen viewing tailored to your environment.