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My screen brightness keeps changing, very frustrating

Anonymous
2013-03-01T02:08:56+00:00

Hi all, So I recently have gotten a new computer, a Sony Vaio S series and the screen brightness keeps dimming down to 9%. I have tried changing the settings but it does not save and within seconds it goes back down to 9% brightness. It is extremely frustrating! I have restarted the computer a handful of times but it doesn't help. Is there anything I can do about it? Hating windows 8 so far incidentally. All help much appreciated

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-01T12:42:44+00:00

    Hi Pippasee,

    As per the description, the screen brightness keeps changing in Windows 8 and I definitely understand how inconvenient it would be. I’ll surely help you fix the brightness issue.

    In order to help you better please provide us the following information

    1)  Did you make any recent changes prior to the issue?

    2)  Are you specifying to the monitor settings or the settings in Windows 8.

    This issue could occur either with the monitor or display adapter in the computer. Let’s follow the methods to check if it resolves the issue:

    Method 1: Enable adaptive brightness

    1. From the Start Screen, type Control Panel and select the Control Panel.
    2. Set the View by: dropdown to Category
    3. Select Hardware and Sound.
    4. Select Power Options.
    5. Select the Change plan settings link on your current power plan
    6. Select Change advanced power settings
    7. Expand Display
    8. Expand Enable adaptive brightness
    9. Change the setting to On and select OK.

    Method 2: Download and install the latest drivers/ utility software’s from the manufacturer’s website.

    If the drivers are not available for Windows 8, download for Windows 7 from your manufacturer’s website and install in Windows 7 compatibility mode:

    http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/select-system.pl?PRODTYPE=1,24,72&DIRECTOR=DRIVER

    a) Right-click on the driver and click on ‘properties’.

    b) Click on the ‘compatibility’ tab and check the box ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ and select Windows 7 operating system from the drop down.

    c) Click on ‘Apply’ and click ‘OK’ and run the file to install it.

    Method 3: Run SFC scan

    1. Type Windows key +X
    2. Command Prompt (Admin)
    3. Type cmd
    4. At the Command Prompt, type: sfc/scannow

    This will check for any integrity violations. Restart your system

    For reference:

    Power plans: Frequently asked questions

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/power-plans-faq

    Do let us know if you have any other queries pertaining to Windows in the future. We will be happy to help. We, at Microsoft strive towards excellence and provide our customers with the best support.

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-08T20:07:13+00:00

    I have tried all the things you have suggested and the screen brightness keeps changing. The problem seems to come from the power settings. I create or change the power plan and it won't save. The settings seem to save but when you check it again the settings have reverted back so the brightness is lowered again.

    Infuriating - I have *exactly* the same problem with my VAIO S (purchased November 2013)... right down to the 9% dimmed brightness thing. I've researched this extensively and absolutely *nothing* works. 

    We know all about going into Control Panel/Power Options/Change Plan Settings/Change Advanced Power Settings/Display and then maximising 'Dimmed Display Brightness' and disabling 'Adaptive Brightness'.  It simply doesn't work. Minutes (or even seconds) later, screen brightness again drops without warning to an almost unusable 9%.  In fact it's just done it again as I write this - great.

    It's hard to pinpoint when this started, but it's certainly been an ever-present problem since going from (factory installed) Win 8 to 8.1. I can't say for sure whether they're linked, though.

    I'm on a "High Performance" power plan, in the vain hope that it won't fight me when I try to pump the brightness back up to usable levels. But guess what, that makes no difference either.

    I don't understand the logic of Sandeep's initial response above, by the way. Why would I want to have adaptive brightness enabled? That's the whole point here: screen brightness keeps "adapting" to something... and I don't want it to!

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-10T09:07:52+00:00

    This worked for me after installing Windows 10

    1. Right click on desktop
    2. Select Display Settings
    3. Select Advanced Display Settings
    4. Select Display Adapter Properties
    5. Select Properties under the Adapter tab
    6. Select the Driver tab
    7. Disable the selected device (screen will go dark a moment, dont panic!)
    8. Enable the selected device

    ALSO:

    9: Ensure "Adaptive brightness" is off under ANY battery settings, several were squirreled away in weird places (Intel, NVIDIA, and Alienware graphics control centers)

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-12T05:30:04+00:00

    It is the Intel "Display Power Saving Technology" that is to blame.

    Disable it like so:

    1. Launch "Intel HD Graphics Control Panel" by right clicking and selecting "Graphics Properties..." from your Intel HD Graphics tray icon
    2. Click Power
    3. Choose "On battery"
    4. Select "Disable" for Display Power Saving Technology
    5. Click Apply

    Hope it Helps

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2016-09-07T21:02:42+00:00

    This worked for me after installing Windows 10

    1. Right click on desktop
    2. Select Display Settings
    3. Select Advanced Display Settings
    4. Select Display Adapter Properties
    5. Select Properties under the Adapter tab
    6. Select the Driver tab
    7. Disable the selected device (screen will go dark a moment, dont panic!)
    8. Enable the selected device

    ALSO:

    9: Ensure "Adaptive brightness" is off under ANY battery settings, several were squirreled away in weird places (Intel, NVIDIA, and Alienware graphics control centers)

    You're my hero. Thank you very much! It worked for me!

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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