The release of the Night Light feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 has been widely celebrated by users seeking a healthier computing experience. By allowing built-in control over blue light emission, Night Light not only helps reduce eye fatigue but is also touted for its potential to support better sleep hygiene—features especially relevant as more of our work and leisure time is spent glued to screens. However, despite this feature’s popularity and utility, Dell has recently had to address growing frustration among owners of its latest ARM-powered laptops: Night Light does not work as expected when external monitors are attached. This incompatibility has spurred both a conversation about technical responsibility and fresh scrutiny into the current state—and future—of ARM-based Windows PCs.
Night Light was first introduced as a native Windows feature in 2017, building upon years of research and the popularity of third-party solutions like f.lux. The feature works by reducing the emission of high-frequency blue light from a display, shifting color temperatures towards the warmer end of the spectrum during night-time hours. Blue light has been implicated in the disruption of circadian rhythms—our natural sleep cycle—so the appeal of a simple toggle to minimize its effects is obvious. Integrated seamlessly into Windows’ display settings, Night Light appears to be a solution for all users. But as this recent Dell support document makes clear, there are still limitations when it comes to hardware support, especially among devices powered by ARM processors.
Dell writes in the support article that there are “no hardware or software problems” on its side, and that the limitation “is outside the control of Dell” and, by extension, of anyone purchasing these laptops.
This clear finger-pointing at Qualcomm’s hardware has been echoed by other sources, with Neowin and Windows Central reporting the same findings after verifying the support document and user complaints. Qualcomm’s response to this particular limitation is, as of this writing, not available, but chipset documentation suggests that certain graphics or pipeline functionalities are absent or limited on the current Oryon platform, which could explain this behavior.
However, hardware and driver limitations like those uncovered in the Night Light snafu illustrate that ARM architecture still trails classic x86 platforms in some "edge case" features. In the case of blue light filtering on external displays, a function often taken for granted on Intel and AMD-based systems, the gap is particularly noticeable.
While most casual users might not run into this limitation—many will use laptops without docking to bigger screens—professional and power users, who are more likely to use external monitors as daily drivers, may find this a stumbling block.
This hands-off approach has divided opinion within the community. Some see it as honest communication about supply chain dependencies and the limitations of current ARM designs. Others argue that it’s a poor showing for a premium product—and may deter adoption of ARM Windows PCs, at least until basic feature parity with x86 systems is assured.
Those responsible for IT deployments will need to weigh both the strengths of ARM hardware—battery life, cost, thermals—against these feature gaps. The issue also highlights the critical importance of checking documentation and real-world reviews before making significant purchasing decisions. While this situation is not unique to Dell (other OEMs using Oryon ARM may encounter the same issue, though confirmation varies by vendor), Dell’s explicit acknowledgement sets the tone for transparency—and, for now, customer caution.
It remains to be seen whether these next-gen designs will deliver on their promises—and whether Night Light (as well as other nuanced system features) will work as expected across all display configurations. For now, users and IT departments must navigate a fragmented landscape, where “Windows on ARM” is not always the same as “Windows on x86.”
As the ecosystem matures and chip designs evolve, it’s plausible that issues like these will fade into history. Until then, however, would-be buyers of Dell’s ARM PCs (and their competitors) must proceed with eyes wide open—researching compatibility, reading the fine print, and weighing immediate needs against the promise of near-future improvements.
For those affected, Dell’s advice stands: use third-party solutions if possible, but do not expect fixes for Night Light on current Oryon-powered devices. Those for whom blue light filtering is mission-critical may be wise to sit out this ARM generation or seek out x86 alternatives until feature parity is achieved.
The dream of a seamless, all-day, always-on ARM Windows laptop is within reach, but—as with any emerging technology—the journey is defined by both excitement and growing pains. For now, patience, vigilance, and a keen eye for documentation remain the best tools in the discerning user’s arsenal.
Source: Neowin Dell says it can't be blamed for Windows Night Light breaking on its Arm PCs
The Night Light Feature: An In-Depth Look
Night Light was first introduced as a native Windows feature in 2017, building upon years of research and the popularity of third-party solutions like f.lux. The feature works by reducing the emission of high-frequency blue light from a display, shifting color temperatures towards the warmer end of the spectrum during night-time hours. Blue light has been implicated in the disruption of circadian rhythms—our natural sleep cycle—so the appeal of a simple toggle to minimize its effects is obvious. Integrated seamlessly into Windows’ display settings, Night Light appears to be a solution for all users. But as this recent Dell support document makes clear, there are still limitations when it comes to hardware support, especially among devices powered by ARM processors.Dell’s ARM PC Lineup and the Night Light Problem
Within the current Dell ecosystem, the following models have been identified as affected:- Inspiron 14 5441
- Inspiron 14 Plus 7441
- Latitude 5455
- Latitude 7455
- XPS 13 9345
Root Cause: Qualcomm Oryon Chipset Limitation
According to Dell’s newly published documentation, the inability of Night Light to function properly on an external monitor is not a result of any error or design flaw by Dell itself, nor is it a deficiency in the Windows operating system as Dell configures it. Instead, Dell places the blame on the Qualcomm Oryon chipset, which underpins these ARM devices. In succinct terms: the chipset simply does not support the necessary hardware pathways to enable Night Light (or comparable color profile adjustments) for displays connected externally.Dell writes in the support article that there are “no hardware or software problems” on its side, and that the limitation “is outside the control of Dell” and, by extension, of anyone purchasing these laptops.
This clear finger-pointing at Qualcomm’s hardware has been echoed by other sources, with Neowin and Windows Central reporting the same findings after verifying the support document and user complaints. Qualcomm’s response to this particular limitation is, as of this writing, not available, but chipset documentation suggests that certain graphics or pipeline functionalities are absent or limited on the current Oryon platform, which could explain this behavior.
Broader Context: ARM’s Mixed Journey on Windows PCs
ARM’s rise to prominence in smartphones and tablets is unassailable, but its entry into the Windows laptop arena has been characterized by incremental gains and lingering pain points. Dell’s announcement comes at a time when Windows on ARM has started to enjoy more robust support from both Microsoft and third-party developers, buoyed by the impressive power efficiency and, in many scenarios, competitive performance seen in devices powered by new Snapdragon chips.However, hardware and driver limitations like those uncovered in the Night Light snafu illustrate that ARM architecture still trails classic x86 platforms in some "edge case" features. In the case of blue light filtering on external displays, a function often taken for granted on Intel and AMD-based systems, the gap is particularly noticeable.
While most casual users might not run into this limitation—many will use laptops without docking to bigger screens—professional and power users, who are more likely to use external monitors as daily drivers, may find this a stumbling block.
Dell’s Response: Transparency, But No Solution
Dell's handling of the situation has been characterized by transparency, if not resolution. Rather than offering a patch or promising a fix via firmware or a Windows Update, Dell has admitted outright that a fix is neither possible nor planned. Instead, in its advisory, Dell recommends that customers “make do with what they have,” suggesting both built-in and third-party utilities as a workaround for adjusting color profiles. Among freeware and commercial options, applications like f.lux, Iris, and even certain monitor OSD settings can approximate the effect of Night Light—though not with the same seamlessness or system-level integration.This hands-off approach has divided opinion within the community. Some see it as honest communication about supply chain dependencies and the limitations of current ARM designs. Others argue that it’s a poor showing for a premium product—and may deter adoption of ARM Windows PCs, at least until basic feature parity with x86 systems is assured.
The Broader Impact on Buyers and IT Managers
For buyers, especially those managing fleets of corporate laptops or purchasing for educational use, this Night Light limitation creates a new consideration. Blue light filtering may have gone from “nice-to-have” to “essential”—not only for eyestrain but for compliance with accessibility and occupational health guidelines in certain regions. The limitation on Dell’s ARM lineup complicates the conversation, especially as these models are being pushed as flagship options in many enterprise catalogs.Those responsible for IT deployments will need to weigh both the strengths of ARM hardware—battery life, cost, thermals—against these feature gaps. The issue also highlights the critical importance of checking documentation and real-world reviews before making significant purchasing decisions. While this situation is not unique to Dell (other OEMs using Oryon ARM may encounter the same issue, though confirmation varies by vendor), Dell’s explicit acknowledgement sets the tone for transparency—and, for now, customer caution.
Potential Workarounds—and Their Trade-Offs
Although Dell has stated that third-party alternatives are the best option for affected users, these workarounds come with their own nuances. Applications like f.lux or Iris can provide system-level color shifting, but there are caveats:- Some solutions require administrator privileges and may not be applicable in locked-down enterprise environments.
- Not all alternatives work equally well on ARM, or they may introduce their own compatibility concerns—since many popular utilities are developed and optimized first for x86.
- Adjusting a display’s color profile at the monitor itself using OSD controls is a hardware-dependent process, requiring manual tweaks.
Signals for the Windows on ARM Roadmap
While Dell has positioned this problem as specific to the current generation of ARM systems, there appears to be optimism that “next generation” ARM PCs, utilizing forthcoming chipsets, will not be subject to the same restriction. This may be a subtle hint that Qualcomm (or other ARM silicon vendors) are addressing this at the hardware level with upcoming SoCs. Industry whispers point to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series and potential new designs from MediaTek and others as promising improved compatibility and feature support, but until hardware is in the wild and independently tested, such claims should be treated with cautious optimism.It remains to be seen whether these next-gen designs will deliver on their promises—and whether Night Light (as well as other nuanced system features) will work as expected across all display configurations. For now, users and IT departments must navigate a fragmented landscape, where “Windows on ARM” is not always the same as “Windows on x86.”
Critical Analysis: The Good, the Bad, and the Future
Strengths and Progress
- ARM is Coming Into Its Own: With the roll-out of Dell’s ARM offerings and continued support from Microsoft, Windows on ARM is no longer a niche experiment but a rapidly maturing platform.
- Battery and Performance Gains: Signs from early benchmarks and user reports suggest that Oryon-powered laptops perform well for most office and productivity tasks, with battery life outstripping many x86 alternatives.
- Transparency in Support: Dell’s willingness to address the problem openly and offer documentation is a refreshing change from the opaque support practices sometimes seen in the PC industry.
Potential Risks and Ongoing Concerns
- Feature Parity Is Not Guaranteed: Despite marketing language, x86 and ARM SKUs may differ in subtle but meaningful ways. Night Light is just one example; others may include differences in driver support, security features, or proprietary software compatibility.
- Blame Game May Discomfit Buyers: The practice of attributing issues to “out of our control” hardware could undermine customer confidence in buying from even major brands.
- Fragmentation Looms: As more OEMs (including HP, Lenovo, and even Microsoft’s own Surface line) introduce ARM-based Windows PCs, the risk of inconsistent user experiences and “gotchas” grows. Vendor documentation and community forums will become ever more important.
Conclusion: Navigating the ARM-PC Transition Era
The Windows PC landscape is undergoing one of its most consequential transformations in decades. The migration to ARM promises sweeping improvements in efficiency, thermal design, and—eventually—performance. But as the Night Light issue on Dell’s ARM laptops illustrates, the devil is still very much in the details. For end users, what matters is not just raw specs or marketing claims, but the lived reality of device limitations, workarounds, and vendor support.As the ecosystem matures and chip designs evolve, it’s plausible that issues like these will fade into history. Until then, however, would-be buyers of Dell’s ARM PCs (and their competitors) must proceed with eyes wide open—researching compatibility, reading the fine print, and weighing immediate needs against the promise of near-future improvements.
For those affected, Dell’s advice stands: use third-party solutions if possible, but do not expect fixes for Night Light on current Oryon-powered devices. Those for whom blue light filtering is mission-critical may be wise to sit out this ARM generation or seek out x86 alternatives until feature parity is achieved.
The dream of a seamless, all-day, always-on ARM Windows laptop is within reach, but—as with any emerging technology—the journey is defined by both excitement and growing pains. For now, patience, vigilance, and a keen eye for documentation remain the best tools in the discerning user’s arsenal.
Source: Neowin Dell says it can't be blamed for Windows Night Light breaking on its Arm PCs
