My notebook Fn key for brightness isn't working with Windows 7

 Q: Some of my devices and applications are not working, what should I do?

A: If your internet connection is working in Windows 7, I suggest you try obtaining the drivers through Windows Update. Click Start > All Programs > Windows Update > Turn on Windows Update . A list of available updates will then be downloaded, you will have the option to view them, do so and check off the appropriate drivers or software patches you need and click Install. You can also check the manufacturer’s website for patches, updated drivers or to simply find out about Windows 7 support for the particular product.

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Andre Da Costa

You need to change your power settings. On the Taskbar right click on the battery icon and then click adjust screen brightness.

What about the question of why the OP is unable to do it with his/her keyboard Fn keys.

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Andre Da Costa

" I suggest you try obtaining the drivers through Windows Update. Click Start > All Programs > Windows Update > Turn on Windows Update ."

That was the first thing I did after I installed the Windows 7. It actually updated the monitor/video driver. And a few other things, but I got nothing on keyboards...

I tried that too before I posted my question here. For some reason, Windows keeps setting the brightness to the maximum, and there's no visible effect while I'm trying to dim it...

You need to contact the manufacturer of your notebook about Windows 7 support since they make the drivers that communicate with operating system.

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Andre Da Costa http://adacosta.spaces.live.com http://www.activewin.com

Great idea! I'll try that and I'll let you guys know what happened.

Thank you all for your help!

You are welcome.

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Andre Da Costa http://adacosta.spaces.live.com http://www.activewin.com

A lot of users are experiencing this problem with Windows 7 - I  have the problem with a Fujitsu Lifebook E8420 with NVIDIA 9300M GS.
Screen brightness cannot be adjusted in any way - not through any windows control, keyboard shortcuts (in my case FN+F6, FN+F7) etc. It's always maximum brightness, on battery or not.
The two suggestions in this thread so far (update your drivers or contact manufacturer) are nice, but rather helpless at this point.
The manufacturer will send you away 2 months before Windows 7 will become available.
And the latest driver is not solving the problem as of now (for me the problem exists with either the driver built into Windows 7, the one offered through Windows Update as well as the one offered on Fujitsu's website.

Here are a few links of other people describing this problem:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=367310 Sony Vaio Z36GD
 
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5195361 Sony Vaio CS "...still if I pull the plug screen stays on maximum brightness..."

http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-support/15360-screen-brightness-problem.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=360408 - Sony SZ340 -With nvidia is stuck in full bightness

http://www.hardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1442109  Dell Inspiron E1505 ... the brightness is stuck on absolute maximum...

Intel GFX:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19283004/19535062.aspx Dell M1330 (solution to install old vista driver)
http://www1.euro.dell.com/at/de/unternehmen/Notebooks/laptop-latitude-xt2/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-latitude-xt2&cs=atbsdt1&s=bsd

Other:

http://philstech.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/windows-7-display-brightness-problem/

Let's keep each other updated on any news on this issue - if a driver becomes available that fixes the problem, that will be a very good sign for all of us!