How to Fix Brightness Control Not Working in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Brightness control is an essential feature that helps you adjust your screen’s visibility and comfort. Sometimes, Windows 11 users may find that their brightness settings are not responding. This can be frustrating, especially when working in different lighting environments.

Fortunately, fixing brightness control issues in Windows 11 is usually straightforward. There are several simple steps you can follow to restore your ability to adjust screen brightness. This article will guide you through each step carefully.

We will start with the easiest solutions and gradually move to more advanced ones. Whether you are a beginner or have some technical experience, these instructions are clear and easy to follow.

By the end, you should have your brightness control working smoothly again, improving your overall Windows 11 experience.

Quick Note: Before You Start

Make sure your device is a laptop or has a built-in display that supports brightness adjustment. Desktop monitors usually have physical buttons for brightness.
Check if your Windows 11 is up to date by going to Settings > Windows Update. Updates can fix many bugs.
Confirm that you are logged in with an account that has administrative rights to make driver or system changes.
Disconnect any external monitors to focus on your main screen while troubleshooting.

Step 1: Use the Windows Brightness Slider

First, try adjusting brightness using the built-in slider. This is the simplest way to check if brightness control is working.

Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).
Go to System > Display.
Look for the Brightness & color section.
Use the slider under Change brightness to adjust your screen brightness.

If the slider is missing or does not respond, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Restart Your PC

Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches causing brightness issues.

Click the Start button.
Select Power and then click Restart.
After your PC restarts, try adjusting the brightness again using the slider.

Step 3: Update Display and Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers often cause brightness control problems. Updating your display and graphics drivers can resolve this.

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click your graphics card (e.g., Intel HD Graphics, NVIDIA, AMD) and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for updates and install them.
Also, expand Monitors, right-click your monitor, and select Update driver.
Restart your computer once all updates are complete.

If Windows cannot find a new driver, you can visit your device manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers manually.

Step 4: Reinstall Display and Monitor Drivers

If updating drivers does not help, reinstalling them can fix corrupted driver files.

Open Device Manager again.
Under Display adapters, right-click your graphics card and choose Uninstall device.
Confirm the uninstallation and restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
Do the same for the monitor under the Monitors section.

Step 5: Enable Generic PnP Monitor

Sometimes Windows disables the Generic PnP Monitor, which controls brightness. Enabling it can restore brightness control.

Go to Device Manager.
Expand the Monitors section.
If you see Generic PnP Monitor, right-click it and select Enable device.
If it is already enabled, try disabling and then enabling it again.
Restart your PC and test brightness control.

Step 6: Adjust Power Settings

Incorrect power settings can affect brightness controls. Adjusting these settings may help.

Open Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).
Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
Click Change plan settings next to your active power plan.
Click Change advanced power settings.
Expand Display and then Enable adaptive brightness.
Turn off adaptive brightness for both On battery and Plugged in.
Click Apply and then OK.
Restart your PC and check if brightness control works.

Step 7: Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix display problems.

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Display and click Run.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

Alternative Method: Adjust Brightness Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Many laptops have brightness keys on the keyboard, often marked with sun icons or arrows. Try using these keys while holding the Fn key if needed.

If these keys do not work, it may be a driver or hardware issue, so continue with the previous steps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my brightness slider missing in Windows 11?

The slider might be missing due to outdated or missing display drivers, or because you are using an external monitor that does not support software brightness control.

Can I adjust brightness on an external monitor through Windows?

Usually, brightness on external monitors must be changed using physical buttons on the monitor itself. Windows brightness control typically works only on built-in laptop screens.

What if brightness controls work only on battery but not when plugged in?

This can happen due to power plan settings. Make sure adaptive brightness is disabled and power plans are correctly configured as explained in Step 6.

Does updating Windows fix brightness issues?

Yes, Windows updates often include fixes for hardware compatibility and driver issues, so keeping your system up to date is important.

Is it safe to uninstall and reinstall display drivers?

Yes, it is safe and often effective for fixing display problems. Windows will reinstall default drivers after restarting.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix your brightness control issue, you might be facing a more complex hardware or system problem.

Check your device manufacturer’s support website for specific driver downloads or troubleshooting guides.
Consider running a system file check by opening Command Prompt as Administrator and typing sfc /scannow to repair corrupted system files.
Contact Microsoft Support or your device’s customer service for professional help.
As a last resort, performing a system restore or resetting Windows might resolve the issue but remember to back up your data first.

Conclusion

Brightness control problems in Windows 11 can usually be fixed with a few simple steps. Start by checking the brightness slider and restarting your PC. Next, update or reinstall your display and monitor drivers, and adjust power settings appropriately.

Using the built-in Windows troubleshooter and keyboard shortcuts can also help. If issues persist, consider advanced fixes or reaching out for support.

Following this step-by-step guide will help you regain control over your screen brightness, ensuring a comfortable and personalized viewing experience in Windows 11.