Fix: Windows Brightness Control Missing in Laptop

Some users have complained that the Windows brightness setting is missing from their PC, which is a frustrating problem as most users adjust the brightness of their laptop screen while working, watching a movie, etc. In this post, we will share how to fix the issue behind the Windows brightness control missing in Laptop.

Note: Before we go ahead, let’s get one thing clear. If you use an external monitor with a laptop, the brightness controls will not work or will be missing. When the Laptop screen is active, you should see the brightness control. Using the hardware button or OEM software to manage the monitor’s display would be best.

Possible Reasons for Brightness Control To Be Missing in Laptop

The taskbar and the Notification Center frequently undergo design changes in new versions of Windows, but the brightness slider should still be accessible there. Given below are the possible reason why the brightness slider could go missing on Windows:

• Disabled monitor driver in Device Manager: It prevents Windows from using more recent drivers, which do not support this technique of adjusting brightness.
• Old graphics drivers: Using obsolete or out-of-date graphics card drivers can cause instability while adjusting the brightness, so installing the most recent drivers as soon as possible is advised.
• Notification Center no longer has brightness settings: It is possible that something or someone disabled this option, and all you have to do to enable it again in Settings.

Fix: Windows Brightness Control Missing in Laptop

1. Add Brightness Slider in Action Center
2. Enable Adaptive Brightness via Power Function
3. Enable Display Control Panel via Group Policy
4. Enable Display Control Panel via Registry
5. Install & Update Display Driver (Through OEM Software)

1] Add Brightness Slider in Action Center

You can add the brightness slider via the Action Center in this method. Here is how to go about it:

• On your Windows PC, click on the Action Center at the bottom right corner.
• Click the edit button (Pencil icon) to add the brightness slider.
• Click on the Add button and add the brightness slider from the context menu.

Related: Fix: Cannot Adjust Display Brightness of Monitor

2] Enable Adaptive Brightness via Power Function

If Windows brightness control gives you problems, turning on the adaptive brightness function can help. This feature uses light sensors to change your monitor’s brightness based on the surroundings. You can activate this feature by following the instructions given below.

• On the Windows search bar, type power plan and click the Choose a power plan option.
• Under Choose or customize a power plan, click Change plan settings under any plan.
• On the next page, click on Change advanced power settings.
• In the Power Options window, scroll down, locate, and expand the Display option. Next, expand Enable adaptive brightness.
• When your PC uses battery power, click On battery, then select On or Off from the list to switch adaptive brightness on or off.
• When your PC is plugged into an outlet, select Plugged in, followed by On or Off in the list to switch adaptive brightness on or off.
• Click Apply and then select OK.

You can also configure this by going to Settings > System > Display > Brightness and then unchecking the Help improve battery by optimizing the content shown and brightness check box.

3] Enable Display Control Panel via Group Policy

This method enables the Display option via the Local Group Policy Editor. It would be useful if the option were disabled by some other method.

• Open Group Policy Editor. If you have Windows Home, you can install the Group Policy and open it.
• Click on the Administrative Templates under User Configuration from the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor window.
• Expand Administrative Templates and click on the Display option.
• Double-click on Disable the Display Control Panel option.
• In the pop-up window, click on the Disabled option and click OK to close the window. The Display Control Panel will be enabled.

Restart PC, and check if the Display Control Panel is available in the action center.

4] Enable Display Control Panel via Registry

Windows Registry is a database where Windows and other applications store their configuration and settings. As a matter of fact, whatever changes are made via Group Policy are also reflected in Registry.

It’s a critical database, so we recommend creating a system restore point before making any changes. In case of any unforeseen event, you should be able to restore it.

• Open Registry Editor (Type regedit in the Run prompt, and press the Enter key).
• In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

• Find the NoDispCPL value in the right pane, and then double-click it.
• Enter 0 under Value data, then click OK.

Close the Registry Editor, restart your PC, and check if the issue is resolved.

5] Install & Update Display Driver (Through OEM Software)

Maintaining your drivers updated is crucial to avoid any compatibility problems that could prevent your PC from functioning correctly. If your missing brightness slider is caused by a damaged or out-of-date driver, upgrading it should solve the issue.

You can visit the GPU’s OEM website and download the software assistant from their website. This can then check the GPU model and your Windows version and install the correct PC driver.

6] Hardware Keys and Software To Control Brightness

• Use the hardware keys on the laptop keyboard: On most laptops, you can change the brightness through specific keys on your keyboard.
• Use Nirsoft Software: You can download this software or add it as an extension on your browser to change the brightness of your PC.

Conclusion

Working all day at one brightness level gets challenging. Depending on the lighting conditions outside, you must adjust the brightness up and down. Without navigating through settings or software, the brightness control slider is useful for instantly adjusting the screen’s brightness.

However, occasionally a system error causes the brightness slider to disappear from the notification area, formerly known as the action center. This problem is not too critical and can be resolved with a few straightforward workarounds. You can quickly resolve the Windows brightness slider missing issue using the solutions on the above list.