ByAdaptive Brightness is a smart feature that automatically adjusts the brightness of your Android phone’s screen to keep it comfortable for your eyes and save battery life. However, sometimes users report that Adaptive Brightness isn’t working or responding properly. In this article, we’ll explore why this happens and how to fix the Adaptive Brightness Not Working issue on Android.
1. What is Adaptive Brightness, and how does it work?
Adaptive Brightness, also known as Auto-Brightness, works with the help of your phone’s ambient light sensor. When you’re in light, the phone increases the screen’s brightness, and when you’re in darkness, it automatically decreases the brightness.
This feature also learns your usage patterns so it can adjust the brightness to your liking.
2. Common Reasons Why Adaptive Brightness Isn’t Working
There are several possible reasons why Adaptive Brightness isn’t working properly:
Ambient Light Sensor is dirty or damaged
Software bug or update issue
Battery saver mode is on
The impact of a custom ROM or third-party launcher
A screen protector or tempered glass is blocking the sensor
Identifying these causes is the first step to properly troubleshooting the problem.
3. Try Restarting Adaptive Brightness
Sometimes a simple reset resolves this issue.
Steps:
1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Go to Display > Adaptive Brightness.
3. Turn this feature off and then back on.
4. Then restart your phone.
This method often fixes minor software glitches.
4. Clean the Ambient Light Sensor
If there’s dust, dirt, or scratches near your phone’s front camera or proximity sensor, it may prevent the sensor from working properly.
Gently wipe the screen with a clean microfiber cloth.
If you have tempered glass, make sure it’s not covering the sensor.
5. Disable Battery Saver Mode
Battery Saver Mode sometimes limits features like Adaptive Brightness to save battery.
Steps:
1. Open Settings > Battery > Battery Saver.
2. If it’s on, turn it off.
3. Turn Adaptive Brightness back on and check if it’s working.
6. Check App Permissions and System Services
Sometimes, some apps limit access to sensor data, preventing Adaptive Brightness from working properly.
Steps:
1. Open Settings > Apps > Device Health Services.
2. Go to Permissions and make sure it has permission to Sensors, Screen Brightness.
3. Then clear the App Cache and Storage.
7. Reset Adaptive Brightness Data
If your phone has previously learned incorrect brightness preferences, it’s necessary to reset the Adaptive Brightness data.
Steps:
1. Open Settings > Apps > Device Health Services.
2. Tap Storage > Manage Space.
3. Now click Reset Adaptive Brightness.
4. Restart your phone.
This will allow your phone to relearn its brightness behavior.
8. Check for problems in Safe Mode
Sometimes a third-party app can interfere with sensor readings. Booting into Safe Mode can help determine whether the problem is software or hardware.
To enter Safe Mode:
1. Press the Power button.
2. Hold down the “Power off” option for a few seconds.
3. Now tap Reboot to Safe Mode.
Check Adaptive Brightness in Safe Mode. If it works, the problem is caused by an app.
9. Install a Software Update
Sometimes this problem is caused by a system bug, which the next software update can fix.
Steps:
1. Go to Settings > System > Software Update.
2. If an update is available, download and install it.
10. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If all the above methods don’t work, a factory reset is the last resort.
But be sure to back up all your data before attempting this.
Steps:
1. Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
2. Confirm and complete the process.
After the factory reset, Adaptive Brightness will start working properly again.
11. Perform a Hardware Sensor Test
If you suspect the light sensor is faulty, you can run a sensor test on your phone.
How to test:
1. Go to Dialer and type `*#0*#` (Samsung) or the code depending on your phone brand.
2. Open the Sensor test section.
3. If the light sensor doesn’t work, it’s a hardware issue and should be taken to a service center.
12. Remove a Custom ROM or Launcher
If you’ve installed a custom ROM or third-party launcher on your phone, it may affect system features like Adaptive Brightness.
In this case, it’s best to revert to the stock ROM or uninstall the launcher and see if that resolves the issue.
Conclusion
Adaptive Brightness is a very useful feature in Android that takes into account both user convenience and battery life. If it’s not working, one of the solutions above should definitely help.
We recommend trying software-level solutions first and then performing a hardware check if necessary.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Adaptive Brightness Not Working
Question 1: What is Adaptive Brightness?
Answer: Adaptive Brightness is a smart feature that automatically adjusts your phone’s screen brightness. This feature increases or decreases the screen brightness based on the ambient light and your usage patterns.
Question 2: Why is Adaptive Brightness not working on my Android phone?
Answer: There could be several reasons for this, such as a dirty ambient light sensor, Battery Saver mode being on, software bugs, or interference from third-party apps.
Question 3: Is it better to turn the Adaptive Brightness feature on or off?
Answer: If it’s working properly, it’s best to keep it on as it helps protect your eyes and extend battery life. However, if it’s malfunctioning, try turning it off temporarily.
Question 4: How to reset Adaptive Brightness?
Answer:
1. Go to Settings > Apps > Device Health Services.
2. Click Storage & Cache > Manage Space.
3. Now tap Reset Adaptive Brightness.
This will cause the system to relearn the brightness pattern.
Question 5: Will a factory reset fix Adaptive Brightness issues?
Answer: Yes. If all other methods fail, a factory reset can fix software-level issues. However, it’s important to back up your data before doing so.
Question 6: Does a screen protector affect Adaptive Brightness?
Answer: Yes. If a screen protector or tempered glass covers the light sensor, Adaptive Brightness won’t work properly. Remove it and see if the problem resolves.
Question 7: Does Battery Saver Mode affect Adaptive Brightness?
Answer: Yes. In Battery Saver Mode, the system limits some features, including Adaptive Brightness. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep it turned off.
Question 8: What to do if Adaptive Brightness works in Safe Mode?
Answer: This means a third-party app is causing the problem. You should check by removing recently installed apps.
Question 9: Does every Android phone have the Adaptive Brightness feature?
Answer: Yes, almost all smartphones running Android 9.0 (Pie) or newer have the Adaptive Brightness feature.
Question 10: What to do if the light sensor fails?
Answer: If the light sensor fails, it can’t be fixed at home. You should take your phone to an authorized service center so they can repair or replace the sensor.
