Can't Change Brightness On Gateway Laptop

Chris Nicola · 21 Jan 2021

I have upgraded from Vista 32 bit to Win 10 32 bit on a Gateway P6822. Everything appears to be working fine except I can't adjust the screen brightness; its stuck on maximum. The hotkeys and also the Win 10 settings do actually make the brightness sliders move up and down but with absolutely no effect.

Windows says the graphics display driver is supposed to be the best one.

Display Adapters
Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM 1.1)
Driver Date 1/10/2012
Version 8.15.10.2697

Monitors
Generic Display Monitor

I installed the Intel driver support assistant and it could not find any new drivers.

I can't find any kind of Intel control panel installed to adjust brightness.

So I think my only option might be to get a third party software than can adjust the brightness.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Kind regards
Chris

Berton · 21 Jan 2021

Most Notebooks have at least 2 controls for brightness and volume, most use an Fn + another key or two for the controls. Then there's the Operating System controls for both in Settings or an icon in the Notification Area [where the clock is].

For the brightness there frequently will be a slider control at the bottom of the Action Center.

I like to use the hardware/keys control for both first then adjust as needed in the OS.

Since it's hardware a third-party solution may be hard to find. One thing I use in difficult situations is a Bootable Linux LiveDVD or LiveUSB Thumb drive to check how the hardware is working.

Chris Nicola · 22 Jan 2021

Thank you for your reply Berton. The function keys move the brightness slider up and down with no effect on the brightness. Similarly, the Windows brightness slider has no effect. I can't find any other installed Intel software that might be able to control brightness. It's stuck on maximum brightness. That's why I was wondering if I might have success with another driver or third party software.

Kind regards
Chris

dalchina · 22 Jan 2021

Does your monitor not have its own independent means of brightness control?

See:
Adjust Screen Brightness in Windows 10

where you will see the Windows means of brightness control are aimed at laptop displays and may not be effective on external displays:

Brightness settings will not be available for an external monitor connected to the computer. You will need to use the physical brightness button on the monitor, or change from the on screen menu for the monitor.

Brightness settings will only be available for a built-in display like on a tablet or laptop. If supported, you can adjust screen brightness of an external monitor connected to a desktop computer in the NVIDIA Control Panel.

If you do not see any of these brightness settings or they are not working, be sure you have the correct and latest graphics driver installed.

If you do already have the latest graphics driver installed, then uninstall and reinstall the driver to repair it.

(Not sure why Nvidia is mentioned there - could be whichever graphics card is present)

Chris Nicola · 22 Jan 2021

Thank you for your reply Dalchina. I am referring to a laptop screen. The latest Intel Driver is dated 2012 which evidently is not fully compatible with Windows 10 32 bit. Windows can adjust the colour balance but not the brightness. That's why I am thinking there may be some third party software to allow me to adjust brightness. Otherwise I will be stuck with it on Maximum.

Kind regards
Chris

Can't Change Brightness On Gateway Laptop-intel-graphics.jpg

dalchina · 22 Jan 2021

Ah- the reference to 'monitor' in your first post is what made me thought you were using a monitor screen.

Out of curiosity, try the Mobility Centre slider. May well not do anything,

Can't Change Brightness On Gateway Laptop-untitled.png

Chris Nicola · 22 Jan 2021

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately that slider has no effect. The only thing I can get to work properly is the Win 10 night light function that removes the blue light.

After fiddling about. I found out when I press the function key + F9 once nothing happens. The second time brightness is dimmed to about 95% full value. The third time the brightness is dimmed to about 30% which is very dark and only suitable for working at night. The fifth time it goes back to 100% etc for another cycle. It's weird but all I have to work with for now.

I will try and see if there are any third party tools that can help.

Kind regards
Chris

W10 Tweaker · 22 Jan 2021

Chris Nicola said:

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately that slider has no effect. The only thing I can get to work properly is the Win 10 night light function that removes the blue light.

After fiddling about. I found out when I press the function key + F9 once nothing happens. The second time brightness is dimmed to about 95% full value. The third time the brightness is dimmed to about 30% which is very dark and only suitable for working at night. The fifth time it goes back to 100% etc for another cycle. It's weird but all I have to work with for now.

I will try and see if there are any third party tools that can help.

Kind regards
Chris

Hi Chris, I use this third party tool to adjust volume and screen brightness, it might be worth a try.

Download ClickMonitorDDC - MajorGeeks

One of the many features I like is mouse-over and scroll adjustment. In this screenshot, 38 is screen brightness and 86 is volume level. I believe you have some flexibility in how it's configured.

Can't Change Brightness On Gateway Laptop-0122-clickmonitor-controls.jpg

ClickMonitorDDC allows you to customize several features of the display tools. I haven't looked at these in ages.

Can't Change Brightness On Gateway Laptop-0122b-clickmonitor-settings.jpg

dalchina · 22 Jan 2021

And there's Volumouse (free) for example:

Can't Change Brightness On Gateway Laptop-1.png

Chris Nicola · 24 Jan 2021

Thank you Dalchina and W10 Tweaker. I tried click monitor but it had no effect on the brightness. There may be no real solution to adjusting the brightness unless I can get hold of a better driver. At least the night light works.

Thank you all for your help.

Kind regards
Chris