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How to Fix Windows 10 1803 Display Brightness Not Working: Step-by-Step Guide

Many users of Windows 10 version 1803 have reported issues with the display brightness control not working. This can be frustrating, especially when trying to adjust screen brightness manually. Luckily, there are several straightforward ways to fix this problem.

This guide will walk you through simple steps to restore brightness control on your Windows 10 PC. Each step is explained clearly so even beginners can follow along.

By following these instructions, you should be able to solve brightness issues without needing technical expertise. Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into fixes.

Remember, patience is key — some solutions require restarting your computer or updating drivers.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Before applying any fixes, it’s important to check a few things. These quick checks can save time and help identify if the issue is simple to resolve.

  • Check Physical Brightness Keys: Make sure the brightness keys on your keyboard (often marked with a sun icon) are working. Sometimes the hardware keys are disabled or stuck.
  • Battery Settings: If you are on a laptop, ensure that your battery saver mode is not limiting brightness adjustments.
  • Power Plan: Setting your PC to a power-saving plan can sometimes lock brightness levels. Check your power settings via Control Panel.
  • Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows 10 is fully updated. Sometimes, Microsoft releases patches that fix known bugs.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer

It might sound simple, but restarting your PC can often fix temporary glitches affecting brightness control. Windows processes sometimes freeze or malfunction, and a restart refreshes everything.

How to restart:

  1. Click on the Start menu (Windows icon at the bottom-left corner).
  2. Select the power icon.
  3. Choose “Restart”.

Once your computer restarts, try adjusting the brightness again using the keyboard keys or the Action Center slider.

Step 2: Update Display Drivers

Display drivers are software that controls your screen hardware. Outdated or corrupted drivers often cause brightness issues. Updating them can resolve the problem.

How to update display drivers:

  1. Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click your display adapter (usually named Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD) and select Update driver.
  4. Click Search automatically for updated driver software.
  5. Follow the prompts if updates are found and install them.

If no updates are found, you can visit your PC manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers manually.

Step 3: Enable Generic PnP Monitor Driver

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

Steps to enable Generic PnP Monitor:

  1. Open Device Manager again.
  2. Scroll down and find Monitors, then click to expand.
  3. Right-click on Generic PnP Monitor and select Enable device if it’s disabled.
  4. If it is enabled, right-click and choose Update driver to check for updates.

Step 4: Adjust Brightness from Graphics Control Panel

If Windows brightness controls don’t work, you can try adjusting brightness from your graphics card’s control panel.

For example:

  • Intel Graphics: Right-click the desktop and select Intel Graphics Settings or Graphics Properties. Look for display or brightness settings.
  • NVIDIA: Open NVIDIA Control Panel and navigate to the Display section.
  • AMD: Use AMD Radeon Settings to adjust display brightness.

This method bypasses Windows and controls brightness directly through the graphics hardware.

Step 5: Modify Registry Settings (Advanced)

If none of the above works, tweaking the Windows Registry can help. This is an advanced step, so proceed carefully and back up your registry first.

How to backup registry:

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. In the Registry Editor, click File > Export and save a backup.

Modify brightness registry value:

  1. Navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass{4d36e968-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}000
  2. Look for a value named FeatureTestControl.
  3. If it exists, double-click it and change its value to f048.
  4. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

This tweak helps Windows properly communicate with your display hardware.

Alternative Methods and Additional Tips

  • Run Windows Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Power and run the troubleshooter to identify power-related issues.
  • Check for Third-Party Software: Some apps may interfere with brightness settings. Try disabling or uninstalling screen or color calibration apps.
  • Use Command Prompt: Running powercfg -restoredefaultschemes in an elevated command prompt resets power plans to default, which may fix brightness locks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my brightness slider missing in Windows 10?

The slider can disappear if display drivers are outdated or if the Generic PnP Monitor driver is disabled. Updating drivers and enabling the monitor driver usually restores it.

Can Windows updates cause brightness control problems?

Yes, sometimes updates introduce bugs affecting brightness. Installing the latest updates or rolling back a problematic update can help.

Is it safe to edit the registry to fix brightness issues?

Editing the registry can solve problems but should be done carefully. Always create a backup before making changes to avoid system issues.

Does power saver mode affect brightness control?

Yes, power saver mode can limit brightness changes to save battery. Disabling it may restore full brightness control.

What if brightness keys on my keyboard don’t work?

Try updating the keyboard drivers or checking if the function (Fn) key is toggled properly. Also, ensure no external keyboard software is blocking key inputs.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and still cannot fix the brightness problem, consider these final options:

  • Contact Microsoft Support: Use the official Microsoft support website for assistance or to report bugs.
  • Check Manufacturer Support: Visit your laptop or PC manufacturer’s support page for model-specific fixes and driver downloads.
  • System Restore: Use System Restore to revert to a point before the brightness issue started.
  • Reset Windows: As a last resort, resetting Windows to factory settings can fix deep system issues but will remove installed apps and settings.

Conclusion

Brightness control problems in Windows 10 version 1803 can be fixed through a series of simple to advanced steps. Start with basic checks like restarting your PC and updating drivers. Then, move on to enabling essential device drivers and adjusting settings through graphics control panels.

If needed, advanced options like registry edits and system tools can help restore brightness functionality. Always back up important data before making major changes.

By following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to enjoy full brightness control on your Windows 10 device once again.

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