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How to Fix Night Light Not Turning On in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Night Light is a useful feature in Windows 11 that reduces blue light from your screen, helping to ease eye strain during nighttime use. Sometimes, this feature may not turn on as expected, causing inconvenience. Fortunately, fixing Night Light issues is usually straightforward.

This guide will walk you through easy, step-by-step solutions to get Night Light working again on your Windows 11 device. Each step is explained in simple terms, so even beginners can follow along.

By following these instructions, you can enjoy a more comfortable viewing experience during late hours. Let’s dive into the troubleshooting process.

Whether Night Light refuses to activate manually or on schedule, these solutions cover common causes and fixes.

Quick Note Before You Begin

  • Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date, as updates often include bug fixes.
  • Confirm that your device supports Night Light. Most modern laptops and desktops do, but some very old devices may not.
  • Check if your display drivers are properly installed and updated. Outdated drivers can cause display-related issues.
  • Restart your computer before starting the troubleshooting. Sometimes, a simple reboot resolves temporary glitches.

Step 1: Enable Night Light Manually

Sometimes Night Light might be turned off accidentally. Here’s how to check and enable it:

  1. Click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
  2. Select Settings (gear icon) from the menu.
  3. In Settings, click on System from the left sidebar.
  4. Choose Display.
  5. Look for the Night Light toggle and switch it to On.

If the toggle is grayed out or does not respond, proceed to the next steps.

Step 2: Check Night Light Settings and Schedule

Night Light can be scheduled to turn on automatically at sunset or custom times. Incorrect scheduling might prevent it from turning on.

  1. In the same Display settings page, click on Night Light settings below the toggle.
  2. Make sure the Schedule Night Light option is enabled if you want automatic activation.
  3. Choose either Sunset to sunrise or set Custom hours according to your preference.
  4. If scheduling is enabled but Night Light still doesn’t turn on, try disabling the schedule and turn Night Light on manually.

Scheduling relies on your system clock and location services. Make sure your time zone and location are set correctly.

Step 3: Verify Location and Time Settings

Night Light uses your location to determine sunset and sunrise times. Incorrect settings here can interfere with scheduling.

  1. Open Settings and click on Privacy & security.
  2. Select Location.
  3. Make sure that Location services are turned on.
  4. Scroll down and verify that the location access for system services is enabled.
  5. Next, go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
  6. Ensure your time zone is correct and that Set time zone automatically is turned on.

Step 4: Update Display Drivers

Outdated or corrupted display drivers can prevent Night Light from functioning properly.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click your display adapter (e.g., Intel, NVIDIA, AMD) and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.
  5. After updating, restart your computer.

If Windows doesn’t find new drivers, you can also visit your device manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers manually.

Step 5: Restart the Windows Color Management Service

Night Light depends on certain system services. Restarting the color management service might help.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. In the Services window, scroll down and find Windows Color System or Display Enhancement Service (names may vary).
  4. Right-click the service and select Restart.
  5. If it is not running, select Start.
  6. Close the window and check if Night Light now works.

Step 6: Use Windows PowerShell to Reset Night Light Settings

If the above steps fail, resetting Night Light configuration can fix corrupted settings.

  1. Press Windows + S, type PowerShell, right-click it and select Run as administrator.
  2. Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:
Get-ChildItem "HKCU:SoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionCloudStoreStoreCacheDefaultAccount" | 
ForEach-Object { Remove-Item $_.PSPath -Recurse -Force }

This command deletes Night Light’s stored settings to allow Windows to recreate them.

After running the command, restart your PC and try enabling Night Light again.

Alternative Method: Use Third-Party Blue Light Filter Apps

If Night Light still refuses to turn on, you can try third-party applications like f.lux or Iris. These apps offer similar blue light reduction features and can be customized extensively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Night Light toggle grayed out?

This often happens if your display driver is outdated or incompatible. Updating or reinstalling the driver usually fixes the issue.

Can Night Light work with multiple monitors?

Yes, Night Light should work across multiple displays, but each monitor must support the feature via its display driver.

Why does Night Light turn off after a restart?

Corrupted settings or conflicting software can reset Night Light on reboot. Resetting Night Light settings via PowerShell often helps.

Is Night Light better than third-party apps?

Night Light is built into Windows and uses less system resources, making it convenient. Third-party apps offer more features but may consume more resources.

Does Night Light affect color accuracy?

Yes, Night Light reduces blue light which changes screen colors slightly. This is normal and intended to reduce eye strain.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix your Night Light issue, consider these final steps:

  • Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  • Create a new user account and check if Night Light works there. This can identify if the problem is user-profile specific.
  • Perform a system restore to a point when Night Light was working.
  • Contact Microsoft Support or visit the official Windows Support page for further assistance.

Conclusion

Night Light is a great tool to protect your eyes during late-night computer use. If it’s not turning on in Windows 11, simple steps like enabling the feature manually, checking your schedule, and updating drivers often solve the problem.

More advanced fixes like resetting Night Light settings or restarting system services can help if basic methods don’t work. Remember, keeping your system and drivers updated is key to smooth operation.

By following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to restore Night Light functionality and enjoy a more comfortable screen experience at night.

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