My keyboard volume and brightness controls don't work on M1 Mac mini

Question

My keyboard volume and brightness controls don't work on M1 Mac mini

I connected a LG 27UN850-W monitor to my M1 Mac Mini using a USB-C cable. Unfortunately, the function keys controlling brightness and volume do now work.

I get sound from the monitors speakers, and the picture is great. But in order to change the volume, I must use the monitor's controls.

Some online workarounds require installing third-party software. I'm reluctant to do that since I think the Mini should be able to handle these minor tasks natively.

Posted on Dec 5, 2021 4:11 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

woodmeister50

Level 7

20,557 points

Dec 7, 2021 4:58 AM in response to Mark_in-Waipahu

There are very, very few HDMI or DisplayPort monitors or TVs for that matter than any Mac can control brightness on. It has been that way with all Macs as long as I can remember. The only display I could ever control brightness on a Mac was the old Apple Thunderbolt Display.

The reason is that the Macs supply the complete digital video stream via HDMI or DisplayPort to the device and it is up to the device to determine how to use it.

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Answer 2

Dec 5, 2021 5:10 PM in response to Mark_in-Waipahu

Depending upon the keyboard you might try using Command + the brightness or sound controls, or Control + the controls. Under System Preferences you might need to open Sound and see if there is a Monitor listed under Devices as mine shows below as "F24 HDMI":

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Answer 3

Dec 7, 2021 4:10 AM in response to bobcollard

This was a helpful article, but the brightness and volume function keys still don’t work. Other function keys do, in fact, work as advertised. I suspect this issue has everything to do with the monitor and nothing to do with my keyboard or M1 Mac Mini. I’ll just have to learn to live with it.

I appreciate your help, BOBCOLLARD… thanks!

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Answer 4

Dec 5, 2021 7:01 PM in response to bobcollard

Thanks BOBCOLLARD.

After selecting the monitor as my output device, the speakers began working. Pressing CMD and/or CNTRL in conjunction with the function keys did not fix the issue.

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Answer 5

Dec 5, 2021 11:08 PM in response to Mark_in-Waipahu

What keyboard are you using? Does it have instructions?

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Answer 6

Dec 6, 2021 4:24 AM in response to bobcollard

Apple wireless keyboard, model A1314.

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Answer 7

Dec 6, 2021 4:45 AM in response to Mark_in-Waipahu

Found this about Function keys:

https://www.switchingtomac.com/tutorials/hardware/how-to-fix-function-keys-not-working-on-apple-magic-wireless-keyboard/

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My keyboard volume and brightness controls don't work on M1 Mac mini

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