Unable to adjust screen brightness, Big Sur

App & System Services Core OS
Quincy7HV OP
Created Nov ’20
Replies 35
Boosts 0
Views 22k
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!
Replies  35
Boosts  0
Views  22k
Participants  30
Quincy7HV OP
Nov ’20
Accepted Answer
Never mind! Today it’s working great! Now if I can just figure out to delete this thread...
melissamc26 OP
Nov ’20
I updated from macOS Big Sur 11.0.0 to 11.0.1 last night, and having the same issue, except my screen is stuck on the lowest brightness. How did you resolve the issue Quincy7HV?
melissamc26 OP
Nov ’20
Restarting the computer solved the issue.
mmoayyed OP
Nov ’20
I am seeing a similar issue, running 11.0.1. After the Big Sur update, the screen begins to automatically adjust brightness settings *even when* the "automatically adjust brightness" setting is turned off. Brightness is always low. Restart does not seem to help. Is this a bug? No matter what the brightness setting, the system always auto-adjusts. (I do have Night Shift turned on; not sure that matters)
StephC0503 OP
Nov ’20
I’ve had the same issue. And I’m not sure how to fix it. Updated last night.
_po_ OP
Feb ’21
Have the same issue. Screen seems to change brightness slightly automatically.
Also after restart seems manual screen brightness tuning to be working for some time but then it doesn't work.

PS: last releases of apple software (at least mac os and ios) are really disappointing. Would be better they release less features but have better quality.
Otherwise, it might one day become as buggy as windows or android :)
LeonardSch OP
Mar ’21
Having the same issue using a macbook air 2017 (old model). Screen goes dark for some minutes when laptop is restarted.
Carlos1957 OP
Apr ’21
Same problem here; upgraded this morning from El Capitan; Macbook of 2016; restarting did not work; I'm in the dark, literally and metaphorically...
sehej OP
Apr ’21
Same here, it came up when I updated to 11.3.
rodion1322 OP
Apr ’21
same problem, on MBR 2014 15" after update to 11.3
Ricky_angg OP
May ’21
same problem here, how to fix this ? i just updated to big sur with my MBP 2014, a can't even change the brightness, anyone know how to solve this?
Suki10 OP
May ’21
Updated to 11.3 today and I also have this error. Any suggestions?
Suki10 OP
May ’21
Updated to 11.3.1 today and the issue is still there.
Suki10 OP
May ’21
Spent 40 minutes on a screen share call earlier with Apple. They couldn't solve the issue.
Loris Balsamo OP
May ’21
I have the same problem with my MacBook Pro 13" 2017
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

Unable to adjust screen brightness, Big Sur
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