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How to change external monitor brightness with a hotkey

Use KeyRoutines' Set brightness step with a Hotkey trigger. It talks to external monitors over DDC/CI and to laptop panels through Windows, so one key can dim every monitor at once, or just the one you pick.

Steps

  1. 1

    Turn on DDC/CI

    Make sure DDC/CI is on in your monitor's own on-screen menu; most monitors ship with it on.

  2. 2

    Add hotkeys

    Add two Hotkey triggers, for example Ctrl+Alt+F1 for dim and Ctrl+Alt+F2 for bright.

  3. 3

    Set the brightness

    Add an If with Started by trigger, and Set brightness at 20 in one branch and 80 in the other. Leave the monitor empty for every monitor.

  4. 4

    Optional: by time of day

    Add an At a time trigger at sunset time with Set brightness at 30, so the screens dim in the evening.

Tips

  • A monitor that doesn't answer is skipped and named in Run history, so one stubborn screen doesn't stop the others.

Questions

Is it free?
Yes. Set brightness is in the free version of KeyRoutines.
Why doesn't my monitor change?
Some monitors have DDC/CI turned off or don't support it, especially over certain docks and adapters. Turn it on in the monitor's menu or try another cable.

Blocks this routine uses

Trigger · HotkeysFree

Hotkey

Hotkey starts a routine when you press a keyboard shortcut or mouse button. It's the most common way to run a routine, from a single app launcher key to a whole streaming setup on one combination.

Condition · Flow and routinesFree

Started by trigger

Started by trigger checks which of a routine's own triggers began this run. That lets one routine react a little differently to a hotkey, a schedule or an app opening without keeping separate copies.

Step · DisplayFree

Set brightness

Set brightness changes how bright a screen is, from 0 to 100. It works with laptop and tablet panels and with external monitors that accept brightness commands, so you can dim everything at night or brighten up for daytime work.

Trigger · ScheduleFree

At a time

At a time starts a routine at a time of day, every day or only on the days you pick. Classic uses are a work setup at 09:00 on weekdays and an end-of-day routine in the evening.

More how-to guides

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