How to Enable and Configure Night Light in Windows 10 and 11

Introduction

Night Light is a built-in Windows feature that reduces blue light emission from your screen by shifting the color spectrum to warmer tones. This helps reduce eye strain and improve sleep when using a computer in the evening or in dark environments. In this guide, you will learn how to enable and configure Night Light in Windows 10 and 11 to make computer work more comfortable for your eyes.

Requirements

Before you begin, ensure that:

• You have Windows 10 version 1703 (Creators Update) or later, or Windows 11 installed. The feature is not available in older versions.
• Your system is updated to the latest versions via Windows Update, as updates can improve Night Light functionality.
• You have permissions to change display settings (a standard user can configure this feature without administrator rights).
• For automatic scheduling based on location, access to the location service and an internet connection are required.

Step 1: Open Display Settings

First, open Windows Settings. There are several quick ways to do this:

• Press the Win + I keyboard shortcut.
• Right-click on the desktop and select "Display settings" (in Windows 11) or "Screen settings" (in Windows 10).
• Open the Start menu and select "Settings" (the gear icon).

In the Settings window that opens, navigate to the "System" section (if you're not already there), then select "Display" from the left-hand menu. The display settings will appear on the right.

Step 2: Find Night Light Settings

In the "Display" section, scroll down to the "Night light" subsection. Here you will see:

• A toggle for quick on/off switching.
• A link to "Night light settings" (in Windows 10) or direct settings in Windows 11.
• Options for scheduling and color temperature.

The interface may differ slightly between Windows 10 and 11, but the core elements are the same.

Step 3: Enable Night Light

To quickly enable Night Light, simply toggle the "Night light" switch to "On". The filter will apply immediately, and you will see the colors on your screen become warmer (shifting toward yellow-red hues).

However, for more flexible management and automation, it is recommended to configure the schedule and color temperature in the following steps.

Step 4: Configure Schedule (Optional)

If you want Night Light to turn on and off automatically, set up a schedule.

In the "Night light" section, find the "Schedule night light" option. When enabled, two modes are available:

1. "Sunset to sunrise": Windows uses your location to determine sunset and sunrise times and automatically turns on Night Light during dark hours. This requires location access to be allowed in Settings → Privacy & security → Location.
2. "Set hours": You can specify exact times for Night Light to turn on and off. For example, turn on at 8:00 PM and off at 7:00 AM. Click "Set hours" and select the times.

Choose the appropriate mode and set the times if needed. The schedule will start working after you save the settings.

Step 5: Adjust Color Temperature

Another important setting is Night light color temperature. Use the "Night light color temperature" slider to choose a suitable hue.

• Moving the slider left gives a warmer (more yellowish) light, which better reduces blue light.
• Moving it right makes the light cooler, closer to standard settings.

Start from the middle and adjust based on your preference. Changes are applied in real-time, so you can see the effect immediately. Warmer tones are recommended for evening use.

Step 6: Verify Functionality

After configuration, ensure Night Light is working correctly:

• If you enabled scheduling, wait until the scheduled time or temporarily change your computer's system time to test.
• You can manually toggle Night Light via the switch in settings or through the Action Center. Press Win + A to open it and look for the "Night light" button (in Windows 10/11 it may be in the "Quick settings" section).
• Observe the colors on your screen: they should become noticeably warmer (yellowish or orangeish). For comparison, open a document or website with a white background.

If the filter is applied, the configuration was successful. You can continue using your computer with Night Light enabled.

Troubleshooting

Some issues may arise when using Night Light:

• Night light won't turn on: Ensure the toggle is set to "On". Check if it is disabled by Group Policy (for corporate devices). Also, update your graphics drivers via Device Manager or the manufacturer's website.
• Night light doesn't change colors: Your device may not support this feature. Check if the "Night light" option exists in display settings. If not, update Windows to the latest version via Windows Update or install the Feature Update.
• Schedule not working: If using "Sunset to sunrise" mode, ensure location access is permitted. Go to Settings → Privacy & security → Location and enable the service. Also, verify the correct time zone in Settings → Time & language.
• Colors are too yellow or unnatural: Adjust the color temperature slider to a cooler setting. Remember that Night Light is a filter and can affect color accuracy in some applications, such as photo or video editing. In such cases, temporarily disable the feature.
• Night light turns off after reboot: This may be due to driver conflicts or software. Update your graphics drivers and check if the feature is disabled in power-saving settings (e.g., in Settings → System → Power & sleep).

If problems persist, try resetting Night Light settings by turning it off and on again, or perform a system restore to a point when the feature was working.