How to Disable Screen Dimming While Playing Games on Windows 10

Tech

You know the feeling. Not only do you want to disable screen dimming, but also when you load a dark webpage because it dims then too. When running a full-screen game, the last thing we want is a dimmed screen.

Before we answer this question, let’s get into why the screen dims, to begin with. Apparently, it’s connected to Intel graphics. They recently introduced a power saving option, which is applied even if somebody is using the Nvidia GPU and not Intel. The integrated card is switched on at all times and has full control of the screen on laptops with hybrid Nvidia and Intel graphics.

The frame is sent to Intel’s graphics when a game finishes completing a frame on the Nvidia GPU. They then display it on your screen.

Graphics Control Panel is Where It Starts

To disable screen dimming when playing games on Windows 10, you need to locate the control panel for Intel Graphics. You’ll find it either by pressing the windows key or opening the Windows menu in the bottom left. Press Power once it’s opened. After that, Power Saving Technology needs to be disabled. Even if you’ve disabled Windows’ adaptive brightness, this technology is the one that dims your screen automatically.

Rate switching display refresh must be disabled too. If it doesn’t work, you might need to restart your graphics driver. To do this, press the Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B.
Hate to tell you but that might not work either. If it doesn’t, go to Windows key, hold it down, and press X at the same time. Click Device Manager, then Expand Display adapters. Click right on the existing adapter, then Properties > Driver tab. If this option is there, go to Rollback driver. If it isn’t, right-click on the existing adapter and have it uninstalled. You will see a box that reads something like “delete this device’s driver software”. Check this box, then exit Device Manager and restart your computer.

Updating is the next Step

Now, you need to update. To install the updates available, you need to check for updates under Update & security. This is under Start -> Settings. You may have to update the display driver from your computer manufacturer’s website. The latest drivers for Intel HD graphics, Nvidia, and AMD ATI video card are available on the companies’ websites.

Before being able to disable screen dimming, you need to know what type of graphics you have installed. That may seem obvious, but it isn’t always. Once you’ve found out (by following the steps above), look for the driver in the download section of the vendor’s website. To download a driver for Intel, go here https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/80939/. Depending on the version, you can identify your products and get software and driver updates for your Intel hardware.

There are three options to choose from for Windows 10:

For the first, you will have the Intel Graphics Driver for Whiskey Lake, Comet Lake, Lakefield, generations 6 to 11, Apollo Lake, Gemini Lake, and Amber Lake.

For the second, you’ll get the Beta Driver for these. For the third, the Intel® Graphics Driver for Intel® Iris® Xe MAX Graphics (27.20.100.9039) will be installed.

The latest drivers for Nvidia are available at http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx. Your options are beta drivers or older:

  • Unix Drivers
  • Quadro Advanced Options
  • NVIDIA PhysX System Software
  • NVIDIA CUDA Driver for MAC, etc.

If you’re using AMD ATI, you can get support and download drivers from http://support.amd.com/en-us/download.

It’s possible to run the driver directly on the system that needs updating. To do so, download the installer for Chipset and Radeon Graphics (combined). It will only install the components your system requires to be updated. You need a reliable internet connection!

Compatibility Issues

Going forward, older computers and devices will become incompatible with Windows 10 feature updates. Some users are already complaining about the lack of brightness functions or transparency. This is because the changes aren’t supported by all the components that have to provide this support in ideal conditions. Experts recommend upgrading graphics, motherboard, BIOS, storage, or other system components. You might consider rolling back or blocking the upgrade. Buy a new Windows 10 PC if all else fails.

Presently, Windows 10 1809 is having some early adopter issues. Pending maturity of the Spring Creators Update with future complex updates, it may be best to downgrade to the previous version.

To do this, open Start > Settings. Then, go to Update & security > Recovery. It will ask you if you want to downgrade to Windows 10’s previous version. Press Control + Alt + Delete or Get started, then sign out. You’ll be directed to sign in. At this screen, press on the Power button while holding down the shift key on the keyboard. Click Restart as you keep holding this key down and wait for the menu “Advanced Recovery Options” to appear.

Block Upgrade Attempts

Windows could try to go back to Windows 10 1809. This post https://www.groovypost.com has instructions on how to block this update. Sadly, Windows 10 setup does not give information about support. Check for compatibility on the hardware vendor’s site. If you don’t, you risk finding out later that you need to run a clean install or rollback. This is quite frustrating.

Windows Update is the most popular way to install a new Feature Update. The first line of defense against installing is Microsoft’s tool “Show or Hide Updates.” This is a small app that allows you to hide the update. Launch it after you download it. then, press Next. You need to wait for it as it identifies pending updates. To hide updates, choose Feature Update from the list. Check the box next to the update and confirm changes. You’ll see either 1803 or 1709 when future versions are released.

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