If Night Light only works on one monitor, check your display settings, update drivers, or use third-party apps like f.lux. Ensure all monitors support Night Light or similar features.
If you use a multi-monitor setup and notice that the Night Light feature is only active on one monitor, it can be frustrating. Night Light is designed to reduce blue light exposure, which can strain your eyes, especially at night. However, this feature occasionally malfunctions, only working on one screen. In this article, we’ll explore the common causes of this issue and how you can fix it.
What Is Night Light and Why Use It?
Night Light is a built-in feature on Windows and macOS that adjusts the color temperature of your screen, reducing blue light emissions. Blue light exposure can disrupt sleep patterns and strain your eyes during long periods of use. Activating Night Light across all monitors helps ensure a comfortable viewing experience, especially when working late into the night.
Why Night Light Is Only Working on One Monitor?
There are several reasons why Night Light might only work on one of your monitors. Understanding these potential causes will help you identify the right solution.
- Display Settings Misconfiguration: Sometimes, incorrect multi-monitor configurations cause Night Light to apply only to the primary monitor.
- Graphics Driver Issues: Outdated or faulty display drivers can prevent Night Light from functioning properly across multiple screens.
- External Monitor Compatibility: Some older or incompatible external monitors may not fully support Night Light or similar features.
- Operating System Bugs: Occasionally, software bugs in the operating system can lead to problems with Night Light across multiple monitors.
Let’s go through the troubleshooting steps to solve this issue.
Checking Display Settings:
The first step is to ensure that the display settings are properly configured for multiple monitors. Follow these steps based on your operating system:
Windows Display Settings
- Open Display Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select “Display Settings.”
- Identify Monitors: Scroll down to the “Rearrange your displays” section and click the “Identify” button to see which monitor is primary.
- Enable Night Light for Both Monitors: Under the “Night Light” section, ensure it is toggled on. Then, select each monitor in the display settings and confirm that Night Light is enabled for both.
Mac Display Settings
- Open System Preferences: Click the Apple icon and go to “System Preferences.”
- Select Displays: Click on “Displays” and navigate to the “Night Shift” tab.
- Apply Night Shift to Both Monitors: Make sure that the Night Shift schedule is set and applies to both monitors. If only one monitor shows the option, the second monitor may not support Night Shift.
Also Read: My Monitor Flashes When I Get An New Email – Causes and Fixes!
Updating Graphics Drivers:
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause issues with Night Light functionality. Ensuring your drivers are up-to-date can help resolve this.
Updating Drivers on Windows
- Open Device Manager: Right-click on the Start menu and select “Device Manager.”
- Expand Display Adapters: Find the “Display Adapters” section and expand it.
- Update Driver: Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update Driver.” Follow the prompts to install the latest driver version.
Updating Drivers on Mac
On macOS, display drivers are updated automatically during system updates.
- Check for Software Updates: Go to the Apple menu and select “System Preferences” > “Software Update.”
- Install Updates: If any updates are available, install them to ensure your graphics drivers are up-to-date.
Ensuring Monitor Compatibility:
If you’re using an older or external monitor, it may not support Night Light or similar features. Some monitors lack the necessary hardware or firmware to adjust blue light settings. To verify monitor compatibility:
- Check the Monitor Specifications: Refer to your monitor’s manual or manufacturer website to see if it supports blue light reduction features.
- Try Another Monitor: If possible, connect a different monitor to your system to see if Night Light works on both screens.
Using Third-Party Software:
If Night Light continues to work on only one monitor, you can try using third-party software that adjusts screen temperature on multiple monitors.
- f.lux: A popular alternative that allows users to manage color temperature across multiple screens. It automatically adjusts screen brightness based on time of day, making it a great solution if Night Light isn’t working properly.
- Iris: Another tool that provides advanced control over blue light and brightness settings on multiple monitors.
Resetting Night Light Settings:
Sometimes, resetting Night Light settings can fix the issue. Here’s how to reset the settings based on your operating system:
Resetting Night Light on Windows
- Open Registry Editor: Press the Windows key + R, type “regedit,” and hit Enter.
- Navigate to Night Light Settings: Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CloudStore\Store\DefaultAccount\Cloud.
- Delete Night Light Settings: Locate the Night Light folder and delete it. Afterward, restart your computer and re-enable Night Light in display settings.
Resetting Night Light on Mac
On macOS, Night Shift settings can be reset by adjusting the schedule manually.
- Open Night Shift Settings: Go to System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift.
- Turn Off and On Night Shift: Disable Night Shift, wait for a few seconds, then re-enable it.
Testing with a Different Configuration:
If you’re still having trouble, it might be helpful to test different configurations of your monitors:
- Switch Primary Monitor: Change the primary monitor in display settings and see if the issue persists.
- Try a Single Monitor: Temporarily use only one monitor to determine if the problem is isolated to a specific monitor or cable.
- Change Cables: Replace your HDMI or DisplayPort cables to rule out any connection issues.
FAQs:
1. Why does Night Light only work on one monitor?
Night Light might only work on one monitor due to incorrect display settings, outdated drivers, or monitor compatibility issues.
2. How can I enable Night Light on all monitors?
Check display settings for each monitor to ensure Night Light is enabled. Also, update your graphics drivers and verify your monitors support blue light reduction.
3. Can an external monitor prevent Night Light from working?
Yes, older external monitors or those with limited features may not support the Night Light function. In such cases, use third-party apps like f.lux.
4. How do I fix Night Light if it’s stuck on one monitor?
Try resetting Night Light settings, updating drivers, or adjusting monitor configurations. Alternatively, use third-party software for managing color temperature across multiple screens.
5. Can third-party software help if Night Light doesn’t work on all monitors?
Yes, apps like f.lux or Iris can provide more control over screen color temperatures and work across all monitors, even if Night Light doesn’t.
Conclusion:
When Night Light only works on one monitor, it’s usually due to settings misconfigurations, driver issues, or monitor compatibility problems. Start by checking display settings for all monitors, updating graphics drivers, and ensuring your external monitors support blue light reduction. If issues persist, consider using third-party software like f.lux or Iris to manage color temperature across all screens. With these steps, you can achieve balanced brightness on your multi-monitor setup and reduce eye strain, making late-night work more comfortable.
