How to enable or disable Dark Mode? Microsoft Edge users often ask this question because, let’s face it, staring at a bright white screen late at night is exhausting for the eyes. Whether you are working on a late-night project or just prefer the sleek, modern look of a dark interface, switching your browser’s appearance is one of the quickest ways to improve your digital experience.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to toggle dark mode on and off, explain how to force dark mode on every website you visit, and help you troubleshoot common issues.
Why Switch to Dark Mode?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Most of us spend upwards of eight hours a day looking at screens. Standard “Light Mode” emits a significant amount of blue light, which can lead to eye strain and even disrupt your sleep patterns.
Dark Mode offers several benefits:
- Reduced Eye Strain: Especially in low-light environments.
- Battery Savings: On devices with OLED or AMOLED screens, dark pixels actually consume less power.
- Focus: Many users find that a dark interface helps them focus more on the content rather than the bright frame of the browser.
How to Enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Edge (Step-by-Step)
Microsoft has made it relatively easy to change your theme. You don’t need to be a tech genius to do it. Follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings Menu
Launch Microsoft Edge. Look for the three horizontal dots (…) in the top right-hand corner of the window. Click them to open the main menu, then scroll down and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Appearance
On the left-hand sidebar of the Settings page, you will see a list of categories. Click on Appearance. This is the hub for everything related to how your browser looks, including fonts, buttons, and themes.
3. Choose Your Theme
Under the Customize appearance section, you will see the Overall appearance options. You have three main choices:
- Light: The classic bright look.
- Dark: The sleek, high-contrast dark look.
- System default: This is a “set it and forget it” option. If your Windows or macOS settings are set to dark mode, Edge will automatically follow suit.
Simply click the radio button for Dark, and the change will happen instantly. No restart required!
How to Disable Dark Mode in Microsoft Edge
If you find that Dark Mode makes text harder to read or you just miss the crispness of a light background, reversing the process is just as easy.
- Go back to Settings > Appearance.
- Select the Light option under Overall appearance.
- The browser will immediately flip back to the traditional white and gray interface.
Taking it Further: Forcing Dark Mode on All Websites
One frustrating thing about built-in browser settings is that they usually only change the “frame” of the browser (the tabs, address bar, and menus). The actual website you are visiting—like a news site or a blog—might still stay blindingly white.
If you want a truly dark experience, you can “force” dark mode on every website using a hidden feature called Edge Flags.
Warning: Experimental Features
Flags are experimental features. While usually safe, they can occasionally cause minor display glitches on certain websites.
How to enable Forced Dark Mode:
- In the Edge address bar, type
edge://flagsand hit Enter. - In the search box at the top, type “Dark Mode”.
- Look for the option titled “Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents”.
- Change the dropdown menu from “Default” to “Enabled”.
- Edge will prompt you to Restart the browser. Click the button, and now every site you visit will be automatically inverted to dark colors.
Using Browser Extensions for Better Control
If the “Forced Dark Mode” flag feels a bit too aggressive for you, there are third-party extensions that do a more “elegant” job.
The most popular one is Dark Reader. It’s available in the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store. Unlike the built-in flag, Dark Reader allows you to:
- Adjust brightness and contrast.
- Whistlist certain sites (if a site looks broken in dark mode).
- Schedule dark mode to turn on only at night.
Dark Mode vs. Night Light: What’s the Difference?
A common point of confusion is the difference between Dark Mode and Night Light (or “Night Shift” on Mac).
- Dark Mode changes the actual colors of the UI from white to black/dark gray.
- Night Light doesn’t change colors; instead, it filters out blue light and gives your screen a warm, yellowish tint.
For the best eye protection, many people use both simultaneously. You can enable Dark Mode in Edge and set your Windows system to turn on Night Light at sunset.
Troubleshooting: Why Won’t My Edge Stay in Dark Mode?
If you find that Edge keeps switching back to Light Mode on its own, check these two things:
- System Sync: If you have “System default” selected, check your computer’s main settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and see if your Windows mode is set to Light.
- Profiles: If you use multiple profiles (Work and Personal), remember that appearance settings are saved per profile. You will need to enable Dark Mode for each one individually.
Summary
Knowing how to enable or disable Dark Mode? Microsoft Edge gives you the flexibility to customize your browsing based on your environment. Whether you go with the native dark theme, use the “System default” to match your OS, or go all-in with the “Forced Dark Mode” flag, your eyes will likely thank you.
