Unable to adjust screen brightness, Big Sur

App & System Services Core OS macOS

Created Nov ’20

Replies 35

Boosts 0

Views 19k

Participants 30

Hi. I updated to Big Sur last night (Nov 15th), and I am unable to adjust the screen brightness using either the function keys, command center, or system preferences. In all cases, the tiles move appropriately, but there is no actual change in brightness. Seems to be stuck on full bright. I’m using a 2014 MBP.

Is there anything I can do to fix this issue?

Thank you!

Boost

yl21_ OP

May ’21

Similar problem- 2017 MBP, updated to Big Sur weeks ago, been enjoying it until yesterday after a reboot the display became full brightness and could not be adjusted whatsoever. Brightness not responding to the adjustment bar in the touchbar + automatically adjust brightness option missing in system preference. Had to use a third party software to manually decrease the brightness....

anyone has any idea why and how to fix this? I hope it’s a software glitch but not something hardware wise

rodion1322 OP

May ’21

big sur 11.4 same problem

amensum OP

May ’21

Same issue on macbook 13 M1

Zzzzhs OP

Jun ’21

Same problem with MacBook Pro 13" 2017, and I tried these actions:

Wipe & install macOS Catalina, the problem was gone
Upgrade to Big Sur, the problem came back again

I guess the problem was caused by a software issue, since the brightness function is ok in Catalina.

Suki10 OP

Jun ’21

Apple have asked me to perform a clean install of the OS on a partitioned disk which I refuse to do because, 1) I have read on other forums it doesn't solve the issue. 2), I don't have time or sufficient storage space.

Having that said, I see 11.4 is now available but it won't let me update. It comes up with Download failed. Why is this and is anyone else experiencing the same issue? I have around 12GB free storage. Surely thats enough to update.

chilloutmo OP

Jun ’21

Is this ever going to be fixed? Has a bug been filed or something? I mean very clearly this is a Big Sur software issue. Is anybody on this?

Suki10 OP

Jun ’21

Updated to 11.4 and the issue is still here.

Jeebz OP

Jul ’21

In my case, disabling (unchecked) the Display setting High Dynamic Range (automatically adjust the display to show high dynamic range content) brightened to display back to full brightness, but management of brightness range is still not operational.

Big Sur 11.4 Macbook Pro 15" 2017

Suki10 OP

Jul ’21

Updated to 11.5.1 and the problem still exists.

mcph26 OP

Aug ’21

I had just updated to Catalina, was still working. My laptop auto updated to Big sur 11.4 same problem MacBook Pro Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013

mcph26 OP

Aug ’21

I had just updated to Catalina, was still working. My laptop auto updated to Big sur 11.4 and now I can't adjust screen brightness same problem, MacBook Pro Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013.

arbland OP

Aug ’21

Big Sur 11.5.2 still having the same issue. I'm glad to know I'm not alone though. Guess I just have to wait for another update to fix it.

Vaithi1180 OP

Aug ’21

I have upgraded to Big Sur 11.5.2 for 13-inch, 2017 Macbook Air. My laptop's screen brightness is extremely low. Tried all the possible ways. Nothing works. Totally disappointed.

I am not able to do anything.

kelseann OP

Sep ’21

Help! Still having this issue and it's Big Sur Version 11.6! (MacBook Pro Retina, Late 2013 model.)

Aris61 OP

Oct ’21

I have two MacBook Pro Retina, Late 2013 model Mac OS 11.6 Big Sur Only the one has that issue.