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How to Fix Windows 8.1 Brightness Not Working: Step-by-Step Solutions

Brightness issues on Windows 8.1 can be frustrating, especially when you need your screen visibility to adjust properly. Sometimes, the brightness controls stop working or become unresponsive. This guide will help you fix the brightness problem step-by-step.

We will start with simple checks and then move on to more detailed troubleshooting. Each step is explained clearly so you can follow along without any prior technical knowledge.

By the end, you should be able to restore your screen brightness controls and enjoy better display settings. Let’s get started with some quick notes.

These solutions work for laptops and desktops running Windows 8.1 where brightness adjustment is not responding.

Quick Note: Before You Begin

  • Make sure your device supports brightness control. Some desktop monitors do not have software-adjustable brightness.
  • Check if your screen brightness keys (usually function keys on your keyboard) are working physically.
  • Ensure your Windows 8.1 is up to date by running Windows Update — updates can fix bugs.
  • Connect your device to a power source if you notice brightness controls behave differently on battery.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer

Often, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches affecting brightness settings. Restarting refreshes system processes and drivers that manage display functions.

How to restart:

  1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
  2. Select the Power icon.
  3. Click Restart.
  4. Wait for your PC to reboot and test the brightness controls again.

Step 2: Check Brightness Settings in Windows

Windows 8.1 has built-in settings to control screen brightness. Sometimes these settings get turned off or set incorrectly.

To check the brightness slider:

  1. Press Windows key + C to open the Charms bar.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Look for the Brightness slider at the bottom of the Settings panel.
  4. Move the slider left or right to adjust brightness.

If the slider is missing or unresponsive, proceed to the next steps.

Step 3: Update Display Drivers

The display driver controls how your screen communicates with Windows. Outdated or corrupt drivers often cause brightness problems.

How to update your display driver:

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. In Device Manager, expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click your display adapter (e.g., Intel HD Graphics, NVIDIA, AMD) and choose Update driver software.
  4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
  5. Wait for Windows to find and install any available updates.
  6. Restart your computer and check the brightness controls again.

If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit your laptop or graphics card manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver manually.

Step 4: Reinstall the Display Driver

If updating didn’t help, reinstalling the driver can fix corrupted files that cause brightness issues.

Steps to reinstall:

  1. Open Device Manager again.
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Right-click your display adapter and choose Uninstall device.
  4. In the confirmation window, check Delete the driver software for this device if available.
  5. Click Uninstall.
  6. Restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the display driver automatically.

After restart, test if the brightness control is working.

Step 5: Adjust Power Options

Power settings can affect screen brightness, especially on laptops. Sometimes the brightness keys stop working if power settings are misconfigured.

To check and adjust:

  1. Press Windows key + X and select Power Options.
  2. Click Change plan settings next to your selected power plan.
  3. Click Change advanced power settings.
  4. Scroll down to Display and expand it.
  5. Expand Enable adaptive brightness and turn it off for both On battery and Plugged in.
  6. Click OK to save changes.

Adaptive brightness uses sensors to adjust brightness automatically, which can sometimes interfere with manual control.

Step 6: Use Keyboard Shortcuts or Action Center

Sometimes brightness keys or buttons on your keyboard might be disabled or require special software.

Try these alternatives:

  • Use Fn + Brightness keys (usually marked with sun icons) to adjust brightness.
  • Open the Charms bar (Windows key + C), click Settings, then adjust the brightness slider.
  • Open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A, then adjust the brightness tile.

Step 7: Check for Windows Updates

Windows updates often include fixes for hardware and driver issues. Running the latest system updates might resolve brightness problems.

To update Windows:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Change PC settings at the bottom.
  3. Navigate to Update and recovery > Windows Update.
  4. Click Check now and install any available updates.
  5. Restart your computer after updates install.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my brightness slider missing in Windows 8.1?

The slider may be missing if the display driver is outdated or corrupted. Updating or reinstalling the display driver usually restores the brightness slider.

Can external monitors have brightness issues on Windows 8.1?

Yes. Some external monitors do not support software brightness control through Windows. You may need to adjust brightness using the monitor’s physical buttons.

Does connecting to a power source affect brightness controls?

Yes. Windows sometimes changes brightness settings automatically when switching between battery and plugged-in modes. Adjusting power plan settings can fix this.

What if my keyboard brightness keys don’t work?

Make sure your keyboard drivers are updated. Also, try using the on-screen brightness slider or Action Center controls. Some laptops require special software to enable function keys.

Is updating Windows necessary to fix brightness problems?

While not always required, updates often include driver and system fixes that improve hardware compatibility, including brightness controls.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your brightness still won’t adjust, consider the following:

  • Visit the manufacturer’s support website: They often provide specific drivers and troubleshooting tools for your device model.
  • Run the Windows troubleshooter: Go to Control Panel > Troubleshooting > Hardware and Sound > Display.
  • Check BIOS settings: Sometimes brightness control can be affected by BIOS configurations. Consult your device manual for BIOS access and settings.
  • Contact technical support: There might be a hardware issue with your display or keyboard.

Conclusion

Brightness issues on Windows 8.1 are commonly caused by outdated drivers, power settings, or minor system glitches. Starting with simple restarts and checking brightness settings often solves the problem. Updating or reinstalling display drivers can fix deeper issues.

Remember to check power options and use alternative brightness controls like keyboard shortcuts or the Action Center. If all else fails, manufacturer support and Windows troubleshooting tools are valuable resources.

Following these steps carefully should restore your screen brightness control and improve your Windows 8.1 experience.

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