Turning off auto brightness in Windows 11 isn’t too tricky, but it can be a bit confusing to find the right settings if you’re not used to digging around. Sometimes, the option isn’t where you’d expect it, or it might be missing altogether, especially on certain laptops or newer gadgets. Still, if auto brightness is doing your head in — flickering screens, annoying light shifts, or you just want more control — here’s what’s worked for others, with a bit of patience.
How to Turn Off Auto Brightness in Windows 11
The aim is to switch off the “Change brightness automatically when lighting changes” option. That way, your display stays at the brightness you prefer, no matter if you’re sitting in a sunny spot or a dark room. Sometimes, this toggle is right there in display settings, but on other machines, it can be hidden in advanced power options or specific manufacturer settings.
Step 1: Open Settings
Hit Start and click on the Settings icon (looks like a gear). Or, just press Windows + I to get straight there. This opens up a bunch of options at your fingertips.
On some setups, this should work smoothly, but others might require a bit more digging.
Step 2: Go to System
In Settings, click on System. That’s where most of your device controls live — display, sound, power, and the like.
If you’re not seeing what you need, check under Battery & Power or maybe a manufacturer app (like Intel’s or Dell’s utilities). Sometimes, Windows makes it a bit harder than it needs to be.
Step 3: Choose Display
In System settings, select Display. That’s where all the brightness stuff sits. If you don’t see the option right away, keep scrolling or look for Advanced display settings.
Note: On some laptops, adaptive brightness is managed via vendor-specific apps or drivers, not just Windows.
Step 4: Turn Off Adaptive Brightness
Look for the section called Brightness & Colour. Here, find the checkbox or toggle that says Change brightness automatically when lighting changes or similar.
This setting is important. Turning it off stops Windows from messing with your screen brightness based on ambient light sensors. You might see it greyed out if your device doesn’t support auto brightness or if your drivers need an update.
Pro tip: On some machines, this option only appears if you enable Night Light or turn on Windows Hello.
Step 5: Set Brightness Manually
Once auto brightness is off, use the slider to set your preferred brightness level. You can usually do this in the same section or via the quick settings in the Action Center.
Your screen should stay at the set level now, no matter the lighting — a real bonus when you’re in a bright room or a dark cinema.
Sometimes, this setting sticks after a reboot, but sometimes you might need to reapply it or update your display drivers if it doesn’t hold.
Tips for Turning Off Auto Brightness in Windows 11
- If the toggle isn’t there, double-check your device specs — some cheaper models just don’t have ambient sensors or auto brightness support.
- Update your display or graphics driver via Device Manager. Outdated drivers can hide or break these options.
Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager), find your display adapter, right-click, and choose Update driver. - In Power & Battery settings, there might be extra options for auto brightness, especially if you’re on battery.
- Bear in mind, some newer laptops manage brightness through OEM control panels like Dell Power Manager or Lenovo Vantage. Worth a look if Windows alone isn’t cutting it.
- If options are missing, try disabling and re-enabling your display device in Device Manager or just restart your laptop — sometimes that does the trick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find the auto brightness setting?
Some systems simply don’t support it or have it disabled, depending on the hardware. Also, outdated or missing graphics drivers can hide these options. Checking for driver updates often helps.
Will turning off auto brightness save me heaps of battery?
Not necessarily. If you crank your brightness up manually, maybe. But auto brightness usually dims the screen to save power. So, it’s a trade-off — turn it off and you’re in control, but might use a bit more juice.
Can I turn auto brightness back on later?
Definitely. Just head back into the settings and flick it on again. Easy as.
Does turning off auto brightness affect my device’s performance?
Nah, it’s all about display management. It won’t impact how your machine runs overall, just how bright your screen is managed.
What if my screen stays too dim even after turning auto brightness off?
Try sliding the brightness slider up manually. If it still won’t go brighter, maybe a hardware issue or driver problem. Sometimes BIOS settings or OEM apps override Windows controls.
Summary
- Open Settings (Start > Settings or Windows + I)
- Head to System
- Select Display
- Turn off Change brightness automatically when lighting changes
- Adjust the brightness manually with the slider
Hopefully, that saves a few hassle hours. Play around with the settings, and keep in mind, the options might be a bit different depending on your hardware or driver versions. Once you get the hang of it, controlling your screen brightness manually feels heaps better — no flickers, no surprises.