On certain XPS notebooks you may notice that the screen looks dimmer than you expect or the screen overall brightness changes constantly.
The above symptoms will be more apparent on solid white areas of the screen and when the screen has a mixture of dark and solid white content.
The above symptom is related to the displays Dynamic Backlight/Brightness Control (DBC) technology. This feature will change the brightness of the display according to the content shown on the screen.
Note: This is working as designed and is used to save energy according to the content displayed on the LCD screen. If you wish to disable this function please follow the instructions for your computer.
For computers that have QHD+ display panels, you can contact Technical Support and reference this article to receive a firmware update tool that can either turn on or off the DBC feature inside the display.
Note: This feature cannot be modified or turned off on
FHD display panels. The above mentioned firmware is not available for and will not work with FHD panels.
- Remove any external monitor(s) or undock (when applicable).
- Save any data, close any open program(s).
- Plug in the AC adapter into the computer.
- Download the and install the latest BIOS from the XPS 9350 Product Support page (located in the BIOS category). For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article What is BIOS and How to Download and Install the latest BIOS?.
- Download the and install the latest Intel HD Graphics Driver from the XPS 9350 Product Support page (located in the Video category). For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs.
- Download the and install the latest Firmware Update for enabling or disabling Dynamic Brightness Control utility from the XPS 9350 Product Support page (located in the Application category). For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs.
- Extract the file package and run the exe file to update the QHD+ firmware.
- You can choose to either "Enable DBC" or "Disable DBC" (Dell recommends to use Enable DBC, Figure 1).
Figure 1: Dynamic Brightness Control (English Only)
- Reboot the computer after the firmware upgrade is completed
- Remove any external monitor(s) or undock (when applicable).
- Save any data, close any open program(s).
- Plug in the AC adapter into the computer.
- Download the and install the latest BIOS from the XPS 9360 Product Support page (located in the BIOS category). For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article What is BIOS and How to Download and Install the latest BIOS?.
- Download the and install the latest Intel HD 620 and Iris Graphics 640 driver from the XPS 9360 Product Support page (located in the Video category). For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs.
- Download the and install the latest Firmware Update for enabling or disabling Dynamic Brightness Control utility from the XPS 9360 Product Support page (located in the Application category). For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs.
- Extract the file package and run the exe file to update the QHD+ firmware
- You can choose to either "Enable DBC" or "Disable DBC" (Dell recommends to use Enable DBC, Figure 1).
Figure 1: Dynamic Brightness Control (English Only)
- Reboot the computer after the firmware upgrade is completed
- Remove any external monitor(s) or undock (when applicable).
- Save any data, close any open program(s).
- Plug in the AC adapter into the computer.
- Download the and install the latest BIOS from the XPS 9365 2-in-1 Product Support page (located in the BIOS category). For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article What is BIOS and How to Download and Install the latest BIOS?.
- Download the and install the latest Intel HD 620/640/615 Graphics driver from the XPS 9365 2-in-1 Product Support page (located in the Video category). For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs.
- Download the and install the latest Firmware update utility for enabling/disabling DBC (Dynamic Backlight Control) feature utility from the XPS 9365 2-in-1 Product Support page (located in the Application category). For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs.
- Extract the file package and run the exe file to update the QHD+/FHD firmware
- You can choose to either "Enable DBC" or "Disable DBC" (Dell recommends to use Enable DBC, Figure 1).
Figure 1: Dynamic Backlight Control (English Only)
- Reboot the computer after the firmware upgrade is completed
- Save any data, close any open program(s).
- Plug in the AC adapter into the computer.
- Download the and install the latest BIOS from the XPS 9370 Product Support page (located in the BIOS category). For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge base article What is BIOS and How to Download and Install the latest BIOS?.
- Reboot the computer.
- When you see the Dell logo during POST, press the F2 key to enter the setup screen.
Note: When the computer boots into Windows normally, try again.
- Touch or click the plus sign next to Video.
- Touch or click Dynamic Background Control (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Dynamic Background Control Option
- Make sure Enabled is selected in the Dynamic Background Control box.
Note: There should be a dot next to Enabled (
Figure 2).
Figure 2: Enabled or Disabled Option
- Touch or click Apply, when any changes were made.
- Touch or click Exit.
- Confirm exiting, when offered.