How do I turn on the brightness button?
There isn't a single universal "brightness button." On most devices you turn brightness up or down with hardware keys (sun icons) on the keyboard or with software controls in the operating system's display settings or Control Center. The exact method depends on the device you're using.
Windows laptops and tablets
To adjust brightness on Windows machines, you can use both hardware keys and built-in OS controls. The exact path may vary slightly by model and Windows version, but the core options are consistent across recent PCs.
Before this list, here are the common methods you’ll rely on.
- Press the brightness keys on your keyboard. Look for sun icons on the top row (often F1 to dim and F2 to brighten).
- If your keyboard uses Fn keys, you may need to hold the Fn key (or enable Fn Lock) while pressing the brightness keys.
- Open Quick Settings: press Windows key + A, then drag the brightness slider or click the sun icons.
- Open Settings: Start > Settings > System > Display, then move the Brightness slider to the desired level.
In short, Windows users can adjust brightness with keyboard shortcuts, Quick Settings, or the Display settings, depending on hardware and preference.
Mac notebooks and desktops
Mac devices offer brightness control through both hardware keys and macOS software controls. The approach varies slightly by model (keyboard-only, Touch Bar, or external display).
Before this list, here are the common methods you’ll rely on.
- Use the brightness keys on the keyboard: the F1 key dims, the F2 key brightens.
- If your Mac has a Touch Bar, use the Control Strip on the Touch Bar to slide brightness up or down.
- Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS): go to Displays and adjust the Brightness slider.
- If you’re using an external monitor, adjust brightness with that display’s own buttons or on-screen menu (DDC/CI control may allow OS-level adjustment on some setups).
In summary, Macs rely on hardware brightness keys and the Display controls in macOS, with external monitors often handled via the monitor’s own controls.
iPhone and iPad (iOS and iPadOS)
On iPhones and iPads, brightness is typically changed from the Control Center, with optional automatic brightness based on ambient light.
Before this list, here are the common methods you’ll rely on.
- Open Control Center: swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X and later, or swipe up from the bottom on older iPhone models.
- Drag the brightness slider to adjust brightness.
- For automatic adjustment, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle Auto-Brightness (note: path can vary slightly by iOS version).
In short, iPhone and iPad brightness is controlled primarily through Control Center, with optional Auto-Brightness in Settings if you prefer automatic adjustment.
Android phones and tablets
Most Android devices offer brightness control via Quick Settings and in the Display settings. The exact labels and paths can vary by manufacturer and Android version, but the basics are the same.
Before this list, here are the common methods you’ll rely on.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings (you may need to swipe again to reveal more tiles).
- Drag the brightness slider to adjust. Some devices label this as “Brightness” or “Display brightness.”
- For automatic brightness, check Settings > Display and enable Auto-Brightness (the exact name varies by device).
In summary, Android brightness is typically controlled via Quick Settings and the Display settings, with Auto-Brightness available on many devices for automatic adjustment.
Monitors and external displays
External monitors and laptop docking stations often rely on built-in hardware controls on the monitor itself, rather than keyboard keys or OS settings. Look for dedicated brightness buttons or an on-screen display (OSD) to fine-tune the screen.
Before this list, here are the common methods you’ll rely on.
- Use the monitor’s physical brightness buttons or the OSD to adjust brightness.
- Some displays support adjusting brightness through the connected computer’s graphics driver (DDC/CI) if the monitor and graphics card support it.
- On a laptop with a docking station, ensure the correct display is selected in the OS before adjusting brightness via the monitor or system controls.
Concluding: for external displays, the primary controls are the monitor’s own buttons/OSD, with optional integration via the computer’s display settings if supported.
Summary
Brightness control is device-specific but follows a few universal patterns: use physical keyboard keys on laptops, use system-level controls in the operating system, or manage brightness directly on external monitors. If you’re not sure which method applies to your device, check your user manual or look for a sun icon on keys, Control Center/Quick Settings, or the display settings in your OS. With these approaches, you should be able to turn on and adjust brightness quickly across most devices.
