This wikiHow teaches you how to increase or decrease the screen brightness level on a laptop with Windows 7. Most desktop computers use an external monitor so the brightness level will need to be changed via buttons or the brightness switch on the monitor itself.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using the Screen Brightness Slider
Step 1. Click the “Power Options” icon
This battery icon appears in the lower-right corner of the screen.
- You may need to click the “ ▲ ” in the lower right corner of the screen first.
- If this icon doesn't appear in the lower-right corner of the screen (even after you've pressed the previous button), open the “ Start " and click " Control Panel ”.
Step 2. Click Adjust screen brightness
This link is at the bottom of the pop-up window. After that, the “Power Options” menu will be displayed.
If you open the “Control Panel” window, click “ Power Options ”.
Step 3. Click and drag the "Screen Brightness" slider towards the left or right
This slider is at the bottom of the window. Drag the slider to the left to decrease the brightness of the laptop screen, or drag it to the right to increase it.
If you don't see the “Screen Brightness” slider at the bottom of the “Power Options” window, you will need to return the slider before you can adjust the screen brightness
Method 2 of 2: Recover Lost Brightness Slider
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Type device manager into the “Start” window
After that, the computer will search for the Device Manager program.
Step 3. Click
"Device Manager".
This option is displayed in the top search results in the “Start” window. Click the option to open the Device Manager program.
Step 4. Expand the “Monitors” category
Click button ► which is on the left side of the “Monitors” section.
You may need to scroll through the screen to find this option
Step 5. Select the monitor used in the " Monitors " category
When the " Monitors " category is expanded, you can see the monitor name inserted below it. Click monitor to select.
Step 6. Click the Actions tab
This tab is at the top of the “Device Manager” window.
Step 7. Click Properties
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu " Action " After that, the monitor properties window will open.
Step 8. Click the Drivers tab
This tab is at the top of the “Properties” window.
Step 9. Click Uninstall
It's in the lower-left corner of the window.
Step 10. Wait for the driver to be removed
The process only takes a few moments. After the driver is removed, the “Device Manager” list will be updated and the “Monitor” category will be deleted.
Step 11. Click the “Scan for hardware changes” button
It's a monitor-shaped square button at the top of the "Device Manager" window. After that, the previously removed drivers will be reinstalled and updated.
Step 12. Make sure the monitor is back on the list
After “Device Manager” scans for changes, Microsoft's default monitor base drivers will be reinstalled automatically. After that, the brightness slider will be reactivated.
Step 13. Restart the computer
You don't need to restart to show the changes, but it's a good idea to restart your computer so you don't have to bother with the next steps.
Step 14. Try adjusting the screen brightness
After restarting the computer, click the “Power Options” button in the “System Tray” to get the brightness options restored.
