Reducing Eye Strain on PALCS Laptops

  • Updated

Using Night Light Mode and Dark Mode

Spending long periods of time on a laptop can sometimes cause eye strain, headaches, or discomfort from bright screens. Windows includes built-in features that can help make your screen easier on the eyes, especially in low-light environments.

Option 1: Turn On Night Light

Night Light reduces the amount of blue light emitted by your screen and gives the display a warmer appearance.

Benefits

  • May reduce eye strain during extended computer use
  • More comfortable viewing in the evening or darker rooms
  • Helps reduce glare from bright screens

How to Enable Night Light

  1. Click the Start Menu.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Select System.
  4. Click Display.
  5. Under Brightness & Color, turn Night Light On.

Adjust Night Light Strength

  1. While in Display settings, click Night Light.
  2. Use the Strength slider to make the screen warmer or cooler.
  3. Choose a setting that feels comfortable for your eyes.

Schedule Night Light Automatically

  1. Open Settings > System > Display > Night Light.
  2. Turn on Schedule Night Light.
  3. Choose:
    • Sunset to Sunrise, or
    • Set Hours to create a custom schedule.

Option 2: Enable Dark Mode

Dark Mode changes Windows menus, settings, and supported apps to darker colors which can also help with eye strain.

Benefits

  • Reduces overall screen brightness
  • Can be more comfortable in dimly lit rooms
  • Helps reduce glare and visual fatigue

How to Enable Dark Mode

  1. Click the Start Menu.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Select Personalization.
  4. Click Colors.
  5. Under Choose Your Mode, select Dark.

This will change apps such as the settings / browser into "Dark Mode."

Tips for Reducing Eye Strain

Along with Night Light and Dark Mode, consider these recommendations:

✅ Adjust screen brightness to match the room around you

✅ Increase text size if reading is uncomfortable (Improving Readability on PALCS Laptops)

✅ Take short breaks using the 20-20-20 rule

  • Every 20 minutes
  • Look at something 20 feet away
  • For at least 20 seconds

✅ Keep your screen clean and free of fingerprints

✅ Avoid working in completely dark rooms when possible