Screen brightness won't change

[Chrisssina]

My screen brightness is dull even though it's all the way turned up. It also doesn't change at all to the key commands or the slide bar when I turn it up or down, it stays dim. The other f key commands work. I have checked for driver updates and it says Windows determined the best driver is already installed. I have also turned off all of the power and display settings that could affect the screen brightness.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Chrisssina 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for your patience—and I’m truly sorry your screen brightness remains stuck despite your efforts. Since the brightness slider and function keys have no effect, and you’ve already ruled out power settings and driver updates, let’s walk through a focused recovery path to restore brightness control.

Step-by-step recovery for screen brightness not changing on Windows

1. Confirm graphics driver is fully functional

• Press Windows + X > Device Manager
• Expand Display adapters
• Right-click your graphics driver (e.g., Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA) > Uninstall device
• Check the box for Delete the driver software for this device if available
• Restart your PC
• Windows will reinstall a basic driver
• Then visit the HP Software and Driver Downloads page
• Enter your laptop model and install the latest graphics driver listed

2. Re-enable Generic PnP Monitor

• In Device Manager, expand Monitors
• If Generic PnP Monitor is disabled or missing:
  • Right-click and select Enable device
  • If missing, click Action > Scan for hardware changes
  • If still not listed, click View > Show hidden devices and check again

3. Reset display power settings

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings
• Expand Display > Enable adaptive brightness
• Set both On battery and Plugged in to Off
• Expand Display brightness and set both values to 100%
• Click Apply and restart

4. Test brightness control in Safe Mode

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter
• Go to the Boot tab > Check Safe boot > Select Minimal
• Click OK and restart
• In Safe Mode, try adjusting brightness
• If it works, a third-party app or driver may be interfering
• Return to msconfig and uncheck Safe boot to return to normal mode

5. Update BIOS and chipset drivers

• Return to the HP driver page
• Download and install the latest BIOS update and chipset driver
• Restart your PC after installation

Let me know how the system responds after these steps. If brightness control returns in Safe Mode or after reinstalling the graphics driver, we can fine-tune from there. You’ve done everything right by staying observant—I’ll be here to guide you further.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye