If your laptop screen has suddenly become dimmer than usual, there are several possible reasons and solutions to consider. It can be a straightforward issue to fix, or it may require more technical expertise. Let’s explore some of the possible causes and solutions:
- Screen Brightness Controls: First, check if your laptop has dedicated screen brightness controls on the keyboard. Look for icons resembling sun symbols, typically found on the row of function keys (F1 to F12). You may need to press the “Fn” button along with the relevant icon to adjust the screen brightness.
- Battery Power Settings: If your screen dims when running on battery power, this is typically a power-saving feature. Windows’ power management settings may automatically reduce screen brightness to conserve battery life. To adjust this, type “battery saver” into the Windows 10 search bar and open the “Battery Saver Settings.” Look for the option that says “Lower screen brightness while in battery saver” and uncheck it. However, keep in mind that disabling this feature may reduce battery life.
photo: Pixabay - Dynamic Brightness: Some advanced laptops have dynamic brightness that adjusts based on ambient light levels. While this is usually beneficial, it can behave erratically on certain models. To disable it, unplug the laptop from the power adapter, open the Windows Control Panel, and search for “Power Options.” Click on “Change Plan Settings,” select “Advanced settings,” and then expand the “Display” section. Look for an option called “Adaptive Brightness” and switch it off.
- Night Mode: If your screen appears to have a yellowish hue, you may have accidentally activated the night mode feature. Night mode reduces blue light emission, which is associated with sleep disturbances. In Windows, you can deactivate night mode by clicking the speech bubble-like icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen and selecting the Night Light icon. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Preferences, select Display, and then choose “Off” from the schedule dropdown menu under the Night Shift tab.
- Backlight Failure: If your laptop screen is extremely dark, making it almost impossible to see in a well-lit room, there’s a possibility that the backlight has malfunctioned. This issue typically requires professional repair and should be handled by an experienced technician.
To summarize the steps you can take:
- Adjust the power management settings to prevent aggressive screen dimming on battery power.
- Turn off adaptive brightness if it’s causing issues.
- Make sure you haven’t accidentally enabled night mode, which can give your screen a yellowish tint.
If none of these solutions work, and the screen remains dim or has backlight issues, it’s best to seek assistance from a qualified technician.
