I have an XPS 15, with an Nvidia GeForce GX 1050 Ti graphics card, and also Intel UHD 630 (I'm not entirely sure how they work, but both appear in the device manager). My OS is Windows 10, and the issue has stayed over multiple updates. It's been happening since I got the computer.
The issue is that when I open different windows, applications, or websites, it changes the contrast, which results in elements on the screen becoming darker and others brighter. Overall, it ends up making everything look really washed out and dim. It doesn't adjust back up to the proper brightness unless I change the brightness again manually.
The issue occurs when either the computer is unplugged from power, or when the computer is plugged in while asleep and then reopened. Plugging in the computer while it is awake fixes the issue.
What I have tried:
Restarted the computer, many times
Adaptive brightness is off.
Looked in the Nvidia control panel for settings, but couldn't find anything there.
I haven't tried this solution, for fear of deleting things in System32, as well as the answer having no verification of any sort.
If you look around online, there's tons of different links all talking about the same issue, but none of the solutions that I see have worked for me. For the most part, they just say "disable adaptive brightness," which I tried but doesn't work.
Relevant links:
https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1396135
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/949298/dynamic-contrast-option-gone-from-nvidia-control-panel/
Can't disable dynamic contrast ratio (or auto brightness) on new gaming PC
https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/718dw8/cant_disable_dynamic_contrast_ratio_or_auto/ [linked from previous thread]
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/screen-keeps-dimming-on-its-own/934da7b2-2318-4fdd-9355-9b3ac9b5fdcc [not entirely sure, but I suspect it's the same issue]
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=278111.0
https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?38038-Autobrightness-based-on-lightness-of-items-on-screen
https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/Inspiron-14-auto-contrast-brightness-changes/td-p/4120327
Any help is appreciated.