To schedule Night light, open Settings > System > Display > Night light, turn on Schedule night light, and pick Sunset to sunrise or Set hours.
This guide covers the schedule options, the strength slider, the quick toggle, Screen Tint for daytime eye comfort, and fixes when Night light is grayed out.
Schedule night light in Windows 10/11 for eye comfort
Night light shifts the display to warmer colors at night, cutting the blue light that can keep you awake. A schedule turns it on and off without you touching it.
- Select Start, type
settingsin the search box, and open Settings. - Select System > Display > Night light.
- Turn on Schedule night light.
- Select Sunset to sunrise to follow local sunset and sunrise times, or select Set hours.
- If you chose Set hours, enter the time for Night light to turn on and the time for it to turn off.
The same System > Display > Night light path applies on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Prerequisites
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Windows version | Windows 11 or Windows 10, both include Night light in Display settings |
| Display driver | A proper graphics driver; Night light is not available with DisplayLink or Basic Display drivers |
| Driver up to date | A grayed-out Night light toggle can mean the display driver needs an update |
| Clock and time zone | Correct time settings so a Set hours schedule fires at the right moment |
Sunset to sunrise vs set hours for Night light
| Your situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want Night light to track the seasons | Sunset to sunrise | Start and end times move with local daylight |
| You work late or keep fixed hours | Set hours | Night light starts and stops at the exact times you enter |
| You only want it now and then | Leave the schedule off and use the quick toggle | No automatic changes |
Step-by-step instructions
Set the warmth first, so the schedule applies the level you are comfortable with.
- Open Settings > System > Display.
- Turn on Night light to preview the effect.
- Select Night light to open its settings.
- Move the Strength slider to set how strongly blue light is reduced.
- Turn on Schedule night light and choose Sunset to sunrise or Set hours.
- Close Settings; Night light now follows the schedule.
Turn Night light on or off from the taskbar
Quick Settings gives a one-click toggle that overrides the schedule until the next scheduled change.
- Select the Network or Speakers icon on the right side of the taskbar.
- Use the down arrow on the right to scroll to Night light.
- Select Night light to switch it on or off.
Night light vs Screen Tint in Windows
Night light targets evening blue light for better sleep, while Screen Tint softens harsh brightness at any time of day. You can run both together.
| Night light | Screen Tint | |
|---|---|---|
| Helps with | Blue light in the evening that can make it harder to fall asleep | Bright, harsh screens that strain your eyes, including light sensitivity |
| What it does | Warms the screen from white to a softer amber | Lays one color of your choice over the whole screen |
| Where | Settings > System > Display > Night light | Settings > Accessibility > Screen Tint |
| Schedule | Sunset to sunrise or set hours | Manual |
To open Screen Tint, press Windows key + U, select Screen Tint under Vision, turn it on, and drag the Tint strength slider. Screen Tint and Color filters cannot be on at the same time.
Check that the Night light schedule is working
- Open Settings > System > Display > Night light and confirm Schedule night light is on.
- Read the times shown under the schedule option you picked.
- At the start time, confirm the screen turns warmer and the Night light tile in Quick Settings shows as on.
Tips and troubleshooting notes
Night light toggle is grayed out
The display driver is outdated or missing.
- Open Device Manager and expand Display adapters.
- Right-click your graphics adapter and select Update driver.
- Restart the PC and open Night light settings again.
Night light option is missing entirely
The device uses a DisplayLink or Basic Display driver, which does not support Night light.
- Install the graphics driver from your PC or GPU maker.
- Connect the monitor directly to the graphics card instead of through a DisplayLink dock, then check again.
Screen is too orange or not warm enough
The Strength slider is set too high or too low.
- Open Settings > System > Display > Night light.
- Move the Strength slider until text is comfortable to read.
Night light turns on at the wrong time
The custom hours or the PC clock are set incorrectly.
- Check the start and end times under Set hours.
- Confirm the date, time and time zone in Settings > Time & language.
Windows Night light schedule FAQ
Where is Night light in Windows 11?
Night light is in Settings > System > Display > Night light. You can also toggle it from Quick Settings by selecting the Network or Speakers icon on the taskbar.
How do I make Night light turn on automatically?
Open Settings > System > Display > Night light and turn on Schedule night light. Choose Sunset to sunrise, or Set hours and enter your own on and off times.
Why is Night light grayed out in Windows?
A grayed-out Night light toggle usually means the display driver needs updating. Night light is also unavailable with DisplayLink or Basic Display drivers.
How do I make Night light stronger?
Open Settings > System > Display > Night light and move the Strength slider to the right. A higher setting reduces more blue light and makes the screen warmer.
Does Night light help with eye strain?
Night light warms colors to reduce evening blue light, which mainly helps with sleep. For daytime glare and eye strain, Windows offers Screen Tint under Settings > Accessibility.
Can I use Night light and Screen Tint together?
Yes. Night light handles warmth in the evening, and Screen Tint softens overall intensity. Turn on both if you want the benefits of each.
Best Night light schedule for eye comfort
Turn on Schedule night light with Sunset to sunrise, then tune the Strength slider once. The schedule follows daylight through the year, so warmer colors arrive every evening without manual toggling.
