I was recently given a ThinkPad T490 running Windows 11 25H2.
The screen is a bit dark when viewing images or videos. I've turned up the brightness using the F6 key, but that hasn't helped. Anything dark colored in an image, such as dark colored clothing or a shadow, appears as a black area lacking in any detail.
I think that this could be remedied if I could figure out how to lower the screen contrast. I say this because I recall that back in the 60s when I was an amateur filmmaker, we used a high speed Kodak color film stock that was high contrast. It was common to have the lab perform an operation called "flashing" that exposed the film to a low level white light. This reduced the contrast and produced more detail in dark areas of images.
I'm wondering how to lower the contrast on my ThinkPad screen.
Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
Reduce Contrast on T490 Screen?
-
Clueless in Seattle
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2026 1:30 pm
- Location: Seattle, Washington
Reduce Contrast on T490 Screen?
Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"
a.k.a. "Clueless"
-
dcfbf
- Sophomore Member
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Wed May 01, 2024 7:28 pm
- Location: Jurupa Valley, California
Re: Reduce Contrast on T490 Screen?
I don't think adjusting contrast will do anything. I'm willing to bet that the T490 you were given has a low quality display and that's why dark areas don't look good.
But if you do want to adjust contrast, go to Control Panel, select "view by large icons" instead of "category" on the top right of the window then select "Color Management"
It should have opened up a new window.
From the new Color Management window, go to the "Advanced" tab on the top left, and click "Calibrate display".
Then follow the steps to calibrate your display.
But if you do want to adjust contrast, go to Control Panel, select "view by large icons" instead of "category" on the top right of the window then select "Color Management"
It should have opened up a new window.
From the new Color Management window, go to the "Advanced" tab on the top left, and click "Calibrate display".
Then follow the steps to calibrate your display.
IBM: 760ED, 600E, 570, T23, X30, T40, G41, T43 SATA, T43 UXGA, R52 IPS SXGA+
Lenovo: X41t, T60p UXGA, R60, T60, T61 4:3, T61, X61 SXGA+, T500, X301, E40, X201t, W520, X220, T430, W541, T450s, Yoga 460, P71, X1 Carbon 6, T480, T14 G3, X1 Carbon 12
Current Dailies: X1C6, P71
Lenovo: X41t, T60p UXGA, R60, T60, T61 4:3, T61, X61 SXGA+, T500, X301, E40, X201t, W520, X220, T430, W541, T450s, Yoga 460, P71, X1 Carbon 6, T480, T14 G3, X1 Carbon 12
Current Dailies: X1C6, P71
-
Clueless in Seattle
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2026 1:30 pm
- Location: Seattle, Washington
Re: Reduce Contrast on T490 Screen?
Hi again, dcfbf,
I just found that you also answered my other post from over a week ago. As with my other post, I was expecting to receive an email alert that someone had responded to my query. (I just found the check box at the bottom of the page for "Notify me when a reply is posted").
Many thanks for the speedy and informative reply!
Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"
I just found that you also answered my other post from over a week ago. As with my other post, I was expecting to receive an email alert that someone had responded to my query. (I just found the check box at the bottom of the page for "Notify me when a reply is posted").
Many thanks for the speedy and informative reply!
Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"
Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"
a.k.a. "Clueless"
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
T490, Did I make a good investment in late 2025?
by Twarden » Sat Nov 22, 2025 12:35 pm » in ThinkPad T430-T495 / T530-T590 Series - 3 Replies
- 8438 Views
-
Last post by Twarden
Sun Nov 23, 2025 12:29 pm
-
-
-
Disable Touchpad on ThinkPad T490?
by Clueless in Seattle » Tue Jan 20, 2026 9:57 pm » in ThinkPad T430-T495 / T530-T590 Series - 3 Replies
- 3900 Views
-
Last post by dcfbf
Sun Feb 08, 2026 1:41 am
-
-
-
T480 screen shuts off after a few seconds to a minute after starting to use it.
by FranklinHawkings » Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:26 pm » in ThinkPad T430-T495 / T530-T590 Series - 13 Replies
- 23256 Views
-
Last post by RealBlackStuff
Sat Nov 01, 2025 12:09 am
-
-
-
Complete screen and lid swap between two X220 one IPS and one not
by Tired » Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:40 am » in ThinkPad X200/X201/X220 and X300/X301 Series - 4 Replies
- 21956 Views
-
Last post by axur-delmeria
Sat Oct 25, 2025 8:30 am
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 62 guests



