dull lighting on laptop screen

Cacran

I just got a second hand laptop. Everything works fine but the screen is very dull. Is there any way to brighten it?

welshee

On my old laptop i could press Fn and cursor right at the same to lighten it.
Also make sure you are running of mains.

johnmc

Control Panel, power options.

Cacran

Just tried that, Welshee, but it didn't work, thanks though.

closed

completely dull, ie unreadable, no backlight?

if not, look for a key with a sun on it, or see power options, or see manual.

Cacran

Tried the Power Options, think that will sort it out if only I could understand what I am doing, doh! I will get my daughter to take a look at it, she might know how to do it, thankyou.

diable

Make and model, is it dim with or without it being connected to the PSU?

Cacran

It is an Acer Travelmate 4100. It is dim on either battery or mains. It is readable but very eye straining. I didn't get a manual with it.

onzey

Look for the lid close switch and try tapping it a few times or check that it is not stuck.

If there isn't a physical switch visible then it's probably magnetic behind the screen bezel and it may have become displaced and is keeping the backlight switched off.

onzey

Just remembered helping someone on another thread who managed to fix the magnetic switch on her Compaq laptop (see post 18)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4630921


If its not the switch then it's likely the inverter or the backlight itself.

johnmc

Is there a reason it's second hand?

Can you contact the previous owner?

Have you spoken to the vender?