Brightness control stops working in Windows 10 on a Mac when the Boot Camp support software is missing or out of date, or when the Fn key setting changes what the brightness keys do.
This guide covers the fastest fix, every brightness route Apple supports in Boot Camp, external displays, and what to try when the slider is missing.
Fix Boot Camp brightness keys in Windows 10
Start with the keyboard, because a changed function-key setting is the quickest thing to rule out.
- Hold the Fn key and press the increase or decrease brightness key.
- If that works, click the arrow on the right side of the taskbar, click the Boot Camp icon, then choose Boot Camp Control Panel.
- Click Yes if a User Account Control dialog appears.
- Click Keyboard.
- Deselect Use all F1, F2 etc. keys as standard function keys so the keys control brightness without Fn.
- If the Boot Camp icon is missing, install the Boot Camp support software as described below.
Which Boot Camp brightness fix matches your problem?
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix to try first |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness keys work only with Fn held | Function keys set as standard keys | Change the Keyboard setting in Boot Camp Control Panel |
| No Boot Camp icon in the taskbar | Boot Camp support software not installed | Run the Boot Camp installer |
| Keys and slider stopped after a Windows update | Outdated Apple drivers | Run Windows Update and Apple Software Update |
| External display brightness will not change | Display model does not support it | Check Boot Camp Control Panel > Display |
| Slider missing from Display settings | Display driver not loaded | Reinstall Boot Camp support software |
| Mac has Apple silicon | Boot Camp is Intel-only | Boot Camp does not apply to this Mac |
Which Macs support Windows 10 with Boot Camp?
Boot Camp runs only on Intel-based Macs. Apple lists these models for Windows 10.
| Mac | Supported models |
|---|---|
| MacBook | Introduced 2015 through 2017 |
| MacBook Air | 2012 through 2020, excluding MacBook Air (M1, 2020) |
| MacBook Pro | 2012 through 2020, excluding MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) |
| Mac mini | 2012 through 2018 |
| iMac | 2012 through 2020 |
| iMac Pro | All models |
| Mac Pro | 2013 through 2019 |
Change brightness from Windows 10 Display settings on a Mac
Apple documents the Windows display settings as one of two ways to set the built-in display's brightness in Boot Camp.
- Click the Start button and choose Settings.
- Click System.
- Click Display in the list on the left.
- Drag the brightness slider to the level you want.
On a normal PC, the usual ways to adjust screen brightness also apply once the Apple drivers are installed.
Install Boot Camp drivers to fix brightness control
The brightness keys, volume keys and display controls depend on Apple's Windows support software. Without it, Windows has no driver for those keys.
- Start up the Mac in Windows.
- Open the Boot Camp installer if it did not open after Windows setup finished.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to install Boot Camp and the Windows support software.
- Restart the Mac when the installer asks.
- Press the brightness keys again to test.
Update Boot Camp support software with Apple Software Update
Apple delivers Boot Camp driver updates through both Windows Update and Apple Software Update. Install what both apps offer.
- Click the Start menu, choose Settings, then click Update & Security.
- Click Check for updates and install what Windows offers.
- Click the Start menu and choose Apple Software Update.
- Select the available updates and click Install.
- Follow the onscreen instructions, then restart the Mac.
Adjust external display brightness in Boot Camp Control Panel
Depending on the model, an external display can have its brightness and automatic brightness set from Boot Camp Control Panel.
- Click the arrow on the right side of the taskbar.
- Click the Boot Camp icon, then choose Boot Camp Control Panel.
- Click Yes if a User Account Control dialog appears.
- Click Display.
- Set the brightness level and turn automatic brightness on or off.
An Apple Pro Display XDR also shows a Presets pop-up menu for reference modes. A display that offers no brightness option here cannot be set from Boot Camp.
Check that Boot Camp brightness control works
- Press the decrease brightness key and confirm the screen dims.
- Press the increase brightness key and confirm it brightens.
- Open Settings > System > Display and confirm the brightness slider is present and moves the screen level.
- Restart Windows and test the keys once more.
Fix Windows 10 brightness not working on a Mac
Why isn't my brightness working on Windows?
On a Mac, the Boot Camp support software provides the brightness key driver.
- Check for the Boot Camp icon on the right side of the taskbar.
- If it is missing, run the Boot Camp installer.
- Run Apple Software Update and Windows Update, then restart.
My PC doesn't have brightness control
The brightness slider needs a working display driver from the Boot Camp software.
- Install or update the Boot Camp support software.
- Restart the Mac.
- Open Settings > System > Display and look for the slider again.
Brightness keys change volume or act as F1 and F2
Function keys are set to work as standard keys.
- Open Boot Camp Control Panel and click Keyboard.
- Deselect Use all F1, F2 etc. keys as standard function keys.
- Or hold Fn while pressing the brightness keys.
Brightness control stopped after a Windows update
The Apple drivers fell behind the Windows build.
- Click Check for updates in Update & Security.
- Open Apple Software Update and install the listed updates.
- Restart the Mac and test the keys.
Boot Camp brightness control FAQ
Why isn't my brightness working on Windows on a Mac?
On an Intel Mac running Windows through Boot Camp, brightness control depends on Apple's Boot Camp support software. If it is missing or outdated, the keys and slider stop working. Install it, then update through Windows Update and Apple Software Update.
Why does my PC not have brightness control?
Windows shows the brightness slider only when a display driver for the built-in screen is loaded. On a Mac, that driver comes with the Boot Camp support software, so install it and restart before looking in Display settings again.
How do I change brightness in Windows 10 on a MacBook?
Press the increase or decrease brightness key, holding Fn if needed. Or click Start, choose Settings, click System, then Display, and move the brightness slider.
Where is Boot Camp Control Panel in Windows?
Click the arrow on the right side of the taskbar, click the Boot Camp icon, then choose Boot Camp Control Panel. Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission.
How do I update Boot Camp drivers in Windows 10?
Install what both apps offer. Run Windows Update from Settings > Update & Security, then open Apple Software Update from the Start menu, select the updates and click Install.
Does Boot Camp work on Macs with Apple silicon?
No. Boot Camp needs a Mac with an Intel processor. Apple's supported list for Windows 10 excludes M1 models such as MacBook Air (M1, 2020).
