To lower the brightness on a Roku TV, press Home, open Settings > TV picture settings > TV brightness, choose a lower constant level, and press OK. This setting affects all inputs, making it the place to start when you want the whole TV dimmer. The available levels vary by model.
For finer control while watching, reduce Backlight on models with that control. The separate setting named Brightness changes black levels rather than overall panel light output.
The short version
- Dim the whole TV: Lower TV brightness to change brightness across all inputs.
- Fine-tune your picture: Press * during playback and reduce Backlight on models with that control.
- Match your content: Choose Movie for SDR viewing in a dark room or Dark for supported HDR content.
- Let room lighting decide: Select Auto on a TV with an ambient light sensor to dim the picture as the room gets darker.
| Control or method | When to use it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| TV brightness in Settings | Lower brightness throughout the TV | Affects all inputs |
| * during playback | Adjust brightness while watching | Menu layout varies by model |
| Backlight | Fine-tune light output | Adjustments are input-specific |
| Advanced picture settings | Reach Backlight on certain TCL TVs | Alternate menu layout |
| Movie or Low Power | Change the SDR picture preset | Choose during SDR playback |
| HDR Dark | Use a darker HDR preset | Requires supported TV and content |
| Brightness and Contrast | Adjust blacks or bright whites | Change picture rendering |
| Auto | Dim as room lighting decreases | Requires an ambient light sensor |
| Local dimming | Darken dark picture regions | Preserves bright regions |
| Gamma correction | Adjust shadows and midtones | For compatible 4K TVs |
| Mobile Expert Picture Settings | Adjust expert controls from a phone | For compatible 4K TVs |
| Phone remote | Reach TV controls from your phone | Requires network connectivity and mobile control |
| Roku Remote app download | Get the phone remote | Choose the Apple or Android download |
| Apply settings to all inputs | Copy your customized picture mode | Requires a TV with this option |
| Backdrops brightness | Dim the art display | Adjust within Backdrops |
| Disable Backdrops | Stop displaying illuminated art | Separate from dimming video |
| Picture off | Keep audio with the screen off | Press OK to restore the picture |
| Voice screen control | Turn off the display by voice | Requires a compatible voice remote |
Lower TV brightness from Settings or during playback
Press Home and select Settings > TV picture settings > TV brightness. Choose a lower constant brightness level and press OK. This changes brightness across all inputs.
To adjust it while watching, press * during playback, then select Picture settings > TV brightness and lower the setting. On TCL Roku TVs using the Options layout, select TV brightness directly after pressing *, then adjust it with Left or Right.
Reduce Backlight for finer control
With the input you want to adjust playing, press * and open Picture Settings > Customize picture > Backlight. Reduce the value to lower the backlight output. These adjustments are input-specific, so make the change on the input you watch.
Some TCL Roku TVs put this control under Advanced picture settings. On those models, press * while watching the desired input, open Advanced picture settings > Backlight, and press Left to reduce it. If your TV does not show a Backlight control, use TV brightness instead.
Choose a picture mode for your content
For standard dynamic range, or SDR, content, press * during playback and open Picture Settings > Picture Mode. Use Left or Right to choose Movie or Low Power. The Movie preset suits viewing in a dark room.
HDR content has its own preset choices on HDR10-capable Roku TVs. While HDR video plays, press *, open Picture Settings > Picture Mode, then select Dark beside the HDR or Dolby Vision logo. The Dolby Vision option requires both a TV that supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Vision content.
Let the TV adjust to room lighting
On a Roku TV with an ambient light sensor, press Home and open Settings > TV picture settings > TV brightness. Select Auto and press OK. The sensor reduces brightness when the room lighting decreases.
If Auto is absent, Roku says the TV does not have an ambient light sensor. Choose a lower constant brightness level instead. Choose a constant level on sensor-equipped TVs too if you want to avoid automatic brightness changes.
Adjust blacks, whites and darker areas
For darker blacks or less-intense whites, press * during playback and open Picture Settings > Customize picture. On models with these controls, lower Brightness for darker blacks or Contrast for less-intense whites. Both change picture rendering rather than the panel's overall light output.
On supported models, including Roku Plus and Pro Series TVs, press * during playback and open Advanced picture settings > Local dimming, or the control labeled local contrast. Choose High for the largest dimming range. Newer layouts may put Local dimming under Picture settings > Customize picture > Expert settings. This darkens dark regions without reducing bright regions, so use TV brightness when the entire screen needs dimming.
For shadows and midtones on compatible 4K Roku TVs running Roku OS 12.5 or later, press * during playback. Open Picture settings > Customize picture > Expert settings > Gamma correction, compare the available values, and retain the darker rendering you prefer. Roku's Expert Picture Settings instructions label the second step Customize Picture Mode, so select that if your TV shows it. Gamma changes tonal rendering, not backlight output.
Use your phone to reach the controls
To get the phone remote, open the official Roku Remote app download page and follow its App Store or Google Play download link. Sign in to the app, connect to your network-connected Roku TV, and select Remote. This method requires mobile control to be available on the TV.
Use the virtual remote to press Home, then select Settings > TV picture settings > TV brightness. Choose a lower level and press OK. During playback, you can instead press the virtual Options (*) button to reach the picture controls.
Compatible 4K Roku TVs also support expert adjustments through the Roku mobile app for iOS and Android. Connect the phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi, then start a video or select an active HDMI input. In the app, tap Devices, tap Settings ••• beside the TV, and open Expert Picture Settings. Adjust Gamma correction or Local dimming when available.
Carry picture adjustments across inputs
To use your customized picture mode on other inputs, first finish adjusting the current mode. Applying it to all inputs copies that mode's adjustments to the other inputs. On TVs with this option, open Picture settings > Customize picture > Apply settings to all inputs.
If you do not see that option, adjust Backlight while watching each desired input on models with that control. You can also lower TV brightness for a brightness change that affects all inputs.
Dim or disable the Backdrops art display
If the light comes from artwork displayed by Backdrops, open Backdrops > Settings > Brightness and reduce it. Alternatively, press Options while the artwork is displaying and adjust Brightness. This controls the art display rather than the video you watch.
Disabling Backdrops stops the illuminated art display. Open Backdrops, select the gear icon, and open Backdrops Preferences > Backdrops (Enabled), then choose Disabled. To turn the TV off instead of launching Backdrops, hold Power for 3 seconds.
Turn off the picture while keeping audio
For listening without screen light, press * during playback and select Options > Picture off. Some models label the control Turn off display. Audio continues, and you can press OK to restore the picture.
Some apps intercept *, so use a compatible voice remote when that prevents you from reaching the control. Hold Microphone and say Turn off display or Turn off the screen. To restore the picture by voice, say Turn on display.
With hands-free voice enabled on a Voice Remote Pro, say Hey Roku, then say Turn off display. Audio continues while the screen is off. Say Turn on display when you want the picture back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lower Roku TV brightness with my phone's brightness slider?
Your phone's own brightness slider does not adjust the Roku TV. Use the Roku app's virtual remote to change the TV's picture controls.
Why is Backlight different on an OLED Roku TV?
OLED models do not use an LCD backlight. Use TV brightness for the overall adjustment rather than looking for an LCD Backlight control.
Does Low Power picture mode save energy?
Yes, Low Power is an SDR picture mode that saves energy. You can select it through Picture Settings > Picture Mode during SDR playback.
What phone software does the Roku Remote app require?
Apple's App Store listing for Roku Remote (Official) currently requires iOS 17.0 or later on iPhone and iPadOS 17.0 or later on iPad. Android compatibility depends on your device.