Night Light Not Working on Windows 10: Troubleshooting Guide

Is your Windows 10 Night Light feature failing to activate, leaving you staring at a harsh blue screen late into the night? This comprehensive guide will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to get Night Light working again so you can protect your eyes and improve your sleep.

What is Windows 10 Night Light?

Night Light is a feature in Windows 10 designed to reduce the amount of blue light emitted by your screen. Blue light can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. By reducing blue light, Night Light helps to:

  • Reduce eye strain
  • Improve sleep quality
  • Make your screen more comfortable to view in dark environments

Common Causes of Night Light Issues

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s helpful to understand the common reasons why Night Light might not be working:

  • Outdated Display Drivers: Incompatible or outdated drivers are a frequent culprit.
  • Conflicting Software: Certain applications can interfere with Night Light’s functionality.
  • Incorrect Settings: Night Light settings may be improperly configured.
  • Display Adapter Issues: Rarely, the display adapter itself may be malfunctioning.
  • Corrupted System Files: Damaged system files can cause various Windows features to fail.

Troubleshooting Steps

Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolving Night Light issues on Windows 10:

1. Check Night Light Settings

First, ensure that Night Light is enabled and properly configured:

  1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Click on System.
  3. Select Display.
  4. Make sure the Night light switch is toggled On.
  5. Click Night light settings to adjust the color temperature and schedule.
  6. Verify the schedule is set correctly (either sunset to sunrise, or custom hours).
  7. Adjust the Color temperature at night slider to your preferred level.

2. Update Display Drivers

Outdated or corrupted display drivers are a common cause of Night Light problems. Update them using these steps:

  1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click on your display adapter and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. If Windows doesn’t find an update, try searching for the latest drivers on the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, NVIDIA, AMD).

3. Roll Back Display Drivers

If the issue started after a recent driver update, rolling back to a previous version might resolve the problem:

  1. Open Device Manager (as described above).
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click on your display adapter and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Driver tab.
  5. If the Roll Back Driver button is available (not grayed out), click it and follow the prompts.

4. Disable Conflicting Software

Some applications, especially those that manage display settings, can conflict with Night Light. Try temporarily disabling or uninstalling these programs:

  • Third-party display calibration tools
  • Screen recording software
  • Gaming overlays

Restart your computer after disabling any software to see if Night Light starts working.

5. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix hardware problems:

  1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Select Troubleshoot.
  4. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
  5. Select Hardware and Devices and click Run the troubleshooter.
  6. Follow any on-screen instructions.

6. Check for Windows Updates

Make sure your Windows 10 installation is up to date. Updates often include bug fixes and driver updates that can resolve Night Light issues:

  1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Check for updates and install any available updates.

7. Run System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted system files can cause various Windows features to malfunction. The System File Checker (SFC) tool can scan and repair these files:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for “cmd”, right-click, and select “Run as administrator”).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time.
  4. Restart your computer after the scan is finished.

8. Create a New User Account

In rare cases, Night Light problems may be caused by a corrupted user profile. Creating a new user account can help determine if this is the case:

  1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Click on Accounts.
  3. Select Family & other users.
  4. Click on Add someone else to this PC.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account.
  6. Log in to the new user account and check if Night Light is working.

9. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a third-party application is interfering with Night Light:

  1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
  3. Check Hide all Microsoft services box.
  4. Click Disable all button.
  5. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  6. In Task Manager, disable all startup items.
  7. Close Task Manager and click Apply and OK in the System Configuration window.
  8. Restart your computer. Check if Night Light now works.

10. Reset Windows 10

If all other solutions fail, resetting Windows 10 to its factory defaults might be necessary. This will erase all your personal files and installed applications, so be sure to back up your data first:

  1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Select Recovery.
  4. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
  5. Choose either Keep my files (removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files) or Remove everything (removes all your personal files, apps, and settings).
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset Windows 10.

Conclusion

Night Light is a valuable feature for reducing eye strain and improving sleep. By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most Night Light issues on Windows 10 and enjoy a more comfortable viewing experience, especially during evening hours. Remember to back up your data before attempting any major system changes.