Guide to Decreasing Brightness on Your PC: Tips and Workarounds

Adjusting the brightness on your PC can significantly improve your visual comfort and preserve battery life. This guide will show you how to decrease the brightness on Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, and external monitors. It also covers potential limitations in achieving complete darkness and provides workarounds for better dimming.

How to Decrease Brightness on Your PC

Windows 10 and Windows 11

Using Keyboard Shortcuts: Many laptops have brightness control keys on the keyboard. The keys are typically represented by a sun icon. To decrease brightness, hold the Fn key while pressing the brightness key. Alternatively, the function keys (F1-F12) may include brightness control, which you can access by holding the Fn key and the appropriate function key. Using Action Center: Click on the notification icon in the taskbar bottom right corner to access the Action Center. Use the brightness slider to adjust the brightness. Using Settings: Go to Settings > System > Display. Under Brightness and color, use the slider to adjust the brightness.

macOS

Using Keyboard Shortcuts: Use the brightness keys on the keyboard typically represented by F1 and F2. Press F1 to decrease brightness and F2 to increase it. Using System Preferences: Go to System Preferences > Displays. Adjust the brightness slider.

External Monitors

To adjust the brightness on an external monitor, look for a button or wheel usually on the bottom edge of the monitor. Some monitors also have an On-Screen Display (OSD) menu where you can access the brightness settings. Some graphics card software and small utility programs also offer brightness adjustment options. However, the exact steps will depend on the manufacturer of the graphics card.

Why Complete Darkness Might Be Tricky

While you can typically dim your screen to a very low level, achieving complete darkness is often not possible through standard system settings. This limitation is due to several factors:

Minimum Brightness Limitations

Most displays have a hardware-based minimum brightness level below which they cannot go. This is to ensure some image visibility and prevent complete backlight shut-off. The type of backlight technology in your monitor can also impact how low the brightness can go. Some technologies may allow for greater dimming than others.

Potential Workarounds

Software Dimmers

Look for third-party software specifically designed for extreme dimming such as HDMI dimmer. These programs can offer more fine-tuned control over screen brightness. However, be careful with these programs as pushing the limits can potentially cause eye strain or minor display anomalies.

Physical Filters

Privacy screen filters often significantly reduce screen brightness. While they are designed for privacy, they can double as makeshift dimmers. Alternatively, consider using a neutral-density (ND) filter sheet or photographic gel placed in front of your screen to reduce light output.

Utilize Night Modes

Built-in features like Night Light in Windows and Night Shift in macOS can shift screen colors to warmer tones, potentially reducing harshness without making the screen completely black. Another popular third-party software, Redshift, offers similar functionality with more customization options.

Additional Considerations

External Monitor

If you are using an external monitor, check if it has better dimming options or allows for lower minimum brightness.

Room Ambience

Reducing overall ambient light in your room can make a lower level of screen brightness more comfortable. Consider utilizing blackout curtains or blinds to minimize external light.

Important Note

It is not recommended to modify your computer's hardware or firmware level settings in an attempt to achieve full darkness. Doing so can risk damaging your display. Opt for software solutions, physical filters, or adjusting your room's lighting instead.

Remember, even with the best workarounds, complete darkness can strain your eyes. Aim for a very dim display in conjunction with minimal ambient light in your room for maximum comfort and safety.