How To Make Laptop Screen Brighter Than Max in 2026

Want to make your laptop screen brighter than the default maximum? Here are the best methods.

The quickest way is to press Fn + the brightness key (sun icon, usually F5 or F6) on your keyboard. If already at maximum, use the Windows Color Calibration tool to push brightness further.

Method 1) Use Keyboard Brightness Keys

Look for the sun icon on your function keys, usually on F5 or F6. Press that key to increase brightness. If it doesn’t respond, hold the Fn key while pressing it.

adjust laptop brightness using function key

If the Fn key is not working, it may be locked. You can toggle the Fn key lock by pressing Fn + Esc.

Method 2) Use Action Center (Windows 10)

If the keyboard method is not working, use the Action Center brightness slider.

Click the message bubble icon at the lower right corner of the taskbar to open Action Center. Drag the brightness slider to the right to increase it.

Method 3) Turn Off Automatic Brightness

Turn Off automatic Brightness Level option in laptop

Automatic brightness adjusts your screen based on ambient light, which can interfere when you want a fixed high brightness level. Turn it off by following these steps:

Go to Control Panel, then Hardware and Sound, then Power Options
Click Change Plan Settings
Move the brightness slider to your desired level — this disables automatic brightness

Method 4) Use Color Calibration to Exceed Maximum Brightness

Windows has a built-in Color Calibration wizard that lets you adjust brightness beyond the default slider. This is the best method for graphic designers and video editors.

Step 1: Type Display Settings in the Windows search bar and open it. Click on Change Brightness Level.

Step 2: Scroll down to the Multiple Displays section and click Advanced Display Settings.

Step 3: Select your display from the dropdown and click Display Adapter Properties.

Step 4: Click the Color Management tab.

Step 5: Click Advanced then click Calibrate Display. Follow the wizard to adjust brightness, contrast, and gamma beyond the default settings.

Calibrate Display for screen brightness in laptop

Method 5) Use a Third-Party Brightness App

If the Windows built-in methods are not enough, third-party apps can push brightness further:

f.lux — adjusts color temperature and brightness based on time of day
Display Tuner — allows fine adjustment of brightness, contrast, and color temperature
Brightness Slider — for Mac users, adds a brightness control directly to the menu bar

FAQ (How to Make Laptop Screen Brighter Than Max)

How do I make my laptop brighter than max?

Use the Windows Color Calibration wizard (Display Settings → Advanced Display Settings → Display Adapter Properties → Color Management → Calibrate Display). This lets you adjust brightness beyond the default maximum.

Where is the brightness control in Windows 10?

The brightness slider is in Action Center (lower right corner). You can also find it at Settings → System → Display. Drag the brightness slider to adjust the level.

Why is my laptop screen so dark even on full brightness?

Common causes are an outdated display driver, automatic brightness enabled, or a hardware issue with the backlight. Update your display driver first, then try the Color Calibration method above. If it persists, contact a technician to check the backlight.

Conclusion

You can go beyond your laptop’s maximum brightness using the Windows Color Calibration wizard or a third-party app like Display Tuner. Start with the keyboard shortcut, and if you need more, use the calibration method for full control over your display brightness.