[GH-ISSUE #1748] Inconsistent number of brightness steps for built-in display with fine scale enabled #968

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opened 2026-05-05 06:57:35 -06:00 by gitea-mirror · 2 comments

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:57:35 -06:00

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Originally created by @marholave on GitHub (Apr 13, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1748

Before opening the issue, have you...?

Searched for existing issues
Read through the Monitor-Troubleshooting Wiki
Updated MonitorControl to the latest version (if applicable)

Describe the issue

With MonitorControl set to "Use fine OSD scale for brightness and contrast", when pressing the Brightness keys, there seem to be only about 60 steps from backlight off to full brightness.

In fact, I am not counting the same number of steps each time, even when I turn off key repeat and automatic brightness in System Settings. There seem to be more steps on the way up than down. The OSD visibly moves more for some keypresses than others.

Expected behavior

MacOS lets me adjust the internal display's brightness smoothly and consistently from 0-64 by holding Option and Shift while pressing the Brightness Up/Down keys.

MonitorControl should alllow me to do this without holding any modifier keys. It should go from either 0-64 or 0-100 with the same size step each time. Going from 0-100 would (I assume) enable better brightness syncing with external monitors.

Anything else?

No response

Environment Information (please complete the following information)

- macOS version: 15.4
- Mac model: MacBook Pro 16" M3 Pro
- MonitorControl version: 4.3.3
- Monitor(s): Internal
- Monitor Cable(s)/Connection(s): Internal
- Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): yes

Originally created by @marholave on GitHub (Apr 13, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1748 ### Before opening the issue, have you...? - [x] Searched for existing issues - [x] Read through [the Monitor-Troubleshooting Wiki](https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/wiki/Monitor-Troubleshooting) - [x] Updated MonitorControl to the latest version (if applicable) ### Describe the issue With MonitorControl set to "Use fine OSD scale for brightness and contrast", when pressing the Brightness keys, there seem to be only about 60 steps from backlight off to full brightness. In fact, I am not counting the same number of steps each time, even when I turn off key repeat and automatic brightness in System Settings. There seem to be more steps on the way up than down. The OSD visibly moves more for some keypresses than others. ### Expected behavior MacOS lets me adjust the internal display's brightness smoothly and consistently from 0-64 by holding Option and Shift while pressing the Brightness Up/Down keys. MonitorControl should alllow me to do this without holding any modifier keys. It should go from either 0-64 or 0-100 with the same size step each time. Going from 0-100 would (I assume) enable better brightness syncing with external monitors. ### Anything else? _No response_ ### Environment Information (please complete the following information) ```markdown - macOS version: 15.4 - Mac model: MacBook Pro 16" M3 Pro - MonitorControl version: 4.3.3 - Monitor(s): Internal - Monitor Cable(s)/Connection(s): Internal - Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): yes ```

gitea-mirror

2026-05-05 06:57:35 -06:00

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gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:57:42 -06:00

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@marholave commented on GitHub (Apr 29, 2025):

I've just realised, it's easier to see this happening if I set MonitorControl to "Show percentages" and then leave its menu open while I'm pressing the Brightness keys. For example, starting from 1% and pressing Brightness Up several times, I get the percentages 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, then pressing Brightness Down I get 10, 9, 7, 6, 4, 3, 1. Occasionally, I get 4 on the way up, too. The bigger steps cause visibly bigger brightness changes.

I also have a pair of Asus PB258Q displays for which MonitorControl can set nearly every possible percentage but skips some steps and repeats others, and occasionally sets them to 100% for one step. Just now, starting from 0 and repeatedly pressing Brightness Up, MonitorControl repeated 4% (the monitor's brightness didn't change according to its OSD) then skipped 15, then repeated 29, then when it said 59 it set the monitor to 100%, then when it said 60 it correctly set the monitor to 60, then it counted up to 100 properly. I realise that these monitors might be exhibiting a different bug but it seems relevant.

@marholave commented on GitHub (Apr 29, 2025): I've just realised, it's easier to see this happening if I set MonitorControl to "Show percentages" and then leave its menu open while I'm pressing the Brightness keys. For example, starting from 1% and pressing Brightness Up several times, I get the percentages 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, then pressing Brightness Down I get 10, 9, 7, 6, 4, 3, 1. Occasionally, I get 4 on the way up, too. The bigger steps cause visibly bigger brightness changes. I also have a pair of Asus PB258Q displays for which MonitorControl can set nearly every possible percentage but skips some steps and repeats others, and occasionally sets them to 100% for one step. Just now, starting from 0 and repeatedly pressing Brightness Up, MonitorControl repeated 4% (the monitor's brightness didn't change according to its OSD) then skipped 15, then repeated 29, then when it said 59 it set the monitor to 100%, then when it said 60 it correctly set the monitor to 60, then it counted up to 100 properly. I realise that these monitors might be exhibiting a different bug but it seems relevant.

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:57:46 -06:00

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@marholave commented on GitHub (Apr 29, 2025):

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to close this ticket.

@marholave commented on GitHub (Apr 29, 2025): I'm sorry, I didn't mean to close this ticket.