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Fix a Chromebook that has a display that is too bright

We'll lower brightness, turn on automatic brightness, and adjust Night Light so the display is comfortable—or tell you when to call support.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
5–10 min
What you'll need
  • Chromebook
Step 1 of 6

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Steps

Goal: Lower brightness so the display is comfortable to view.

  • Press the brightness-down key or open Quick Settings and lower brightness.
  • Good: Brightness decreases. Proceed to Lower brightness.
  • Bad: Brightness will not change—see When to get help.

Lower brightness

Goal: Set brightness to a comfortable level.

  • Press the brightness-down key repeatedly. Or Settings > Device > Displays > Brightness. Lower the slider.
  • Good: Brightness at a comfortable level. Proceed to Turn on auto-brightness if you want it to adjust in dark rooms.
  • Bad: Brightness will not go down—restart and try again, or call support.

Turn on auto-brightness

Goal: Let the screen dim automatically in dark rooms.

  • Settings > Device > Displays. Turn on automatic brightness. The automatic brightness feature adjusts based on ambient light.
  • Good: Auto on. The screen should dim in dark rooms.
  • Bad: If still too bright, enable Night Light or lower brightness manually.

Enable Night Light

Goal: Reduce blue light and make the display easier on the eyes.

  • Settings > Device > Displays > Night Light. Turn it on. Adjust the schedule if needed.
  • Good: Night Light on. Display has a warmer tint.
  • Bad: If brightness is still too high, lower it manually. If brightness will not decrease, call support.

When to get help

Contact support if:

  • Brightness will not decrease with the keys or Settings.
  • The screen stays at maximum brightness after a restart.
  • You have tried automatic brightness and Night Light and the display is still too bright.

Verification

  • The display is at a comfortable brightness level.
  • Brightness responds to the keyboard and Settings.
  • Automatic brightness dims the screen in dark rooms (if enabled).
  • Night Light is on if you use it for reduced blue light.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Brightness Set brightness lower with keys or Settings.
  2. Auto-brightness Turn on automatic brightness.
  3. Night Light Enable Night Light for reduced blue light.
  4. Call support Brightness stuck or will not decrease.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Chromebook model
  • Whether brightness responds to controls
  • Steps already tried

Is brightness above your comfort level?

Brightness may be set high.

Press brightness-down. Or Settings > Device > Displays > lower brightness. Too bright: turn on automatic brightness. Comfortable: done.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is automatic brightness on?

Auto can dim the screen in dark rooms.

Settings > Device > Displays. Turn on automatic brightness. Off: turn on. On: enable Night Light.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Turn on automatic brightness

Settings > Device > Displays. Enable automatic brightness. The screen should dim in dark rooms.

Done

Enable Night Light?

Night Light reduces blue light.

Settings > Device > Displays > Night Light. Turn on. If brightness still too high, lower manually. If brightness will not decrease, call support.

Yes No / still too bright

You can change your answer later.

Display comfortable

Brightness is at a comfortable level. No further action needed.

Done

Call support

If brightness will not decrease or the screen stays at max despite settings, call Chromebook support. A software update or hardware repair may be needed.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a Chromebook display be too bright?
Brightness set high, automatic brightness off, or using it in a dark room. Lower brightness manually or turn on automatic brightness so it dims in low light.
Can I fix a too-bright display myself?
Yes. Press brightness-down, set brightness in Settings, turn on automatic brightness, or enable Night Light. All are software settings.
When should I call support for a too-bright display?
If brightness will not go down or the screen stays at max despite settings. A software bug or hardware fault may need repair.

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