Brightness adjustment for Studio Display with Windows 10 laptop through Thunderbolt 3

I tested out the theory today when connecting the displays to a Windows PC. Prior to connecting the Windows PC, I set the brightness of each display using my Mac. Then I unplugged the Mac and plugged up the PC. Sure enough, the brightness remained at the same level as previously set using the Mac. Woohoo!

The issue remains that I cannot change the brightness directly on the Windows PC itself (don't think that's doable - or at least not yet). If I wanted to change the brightness, I'd have to hook up the Mac again, change the brightness to the desired level, and reconnect the PC. So you're stuck needing a Mac one way or another! Also tried connecting an iPad Pro to see the brightness could be changed that way, but that didn't work either... and funny enough I would imagine that an iPad would be capable of doing this considering it's an Apple device running the latest iPadOS.

 -> About This Mac -> System Report... -> Graphics/Displays -> (chose video card if multiple) -> Display Firmware Version

Once connected to a Mac, run Software Update and if you're on 12.3 it should update you to 15.4. At least that's what happened to me when I updated to 12.3 last Friday 3/18 after which it prompted me that there's a firmware update to the displays.

I have the same problem. I connected Studio Display to my MS Surface Pro 8 by Thunderbolt port . There is no way to adjust the screen brightness. Quite frustrating. It should not happen to such an expensive monitor. And the camera quality isn't good.

I’m having the same issue and it’s terribly frustrating - only for brightness (managed to get everything else to work through installing boot camp drivers). I may have to return the monitor and get the BenQ TB3 display if I can’t get this to work.

Has anyone figured this out?

@OatisB1 - Can you confirm which firmware you are running on your displays? Is it 15.4 (19E241)? Also are you able to then adjust the brightness using a Windows computer or does it just stick to the last setting you used when connected to a Mac?

Studio Display:

Display Type: Retina LCD

Resolution: 5120 x 2880 Retina

Display Serial Number: Removed

Display Firmware Version: Version 15.4 (Build 19E241)

Main Display: Yes

Mirror: Off

Online: Yes

Automatically Adjust Brightness: Yes

Not sure if that helps.

Yup, looks like yours is the same as mine! Might try and see if switching "Automatically Adjust Brightness" to OFF does anything (done in display settings). Can't be sure those settings will transfer over when plugging back in a Windows PC.

Yes, are you saying you are able to control the brightness using your PC? I am contempt with it not blinding me. Just trying to see if you are still having the overly brightness issue. The only other thing I changed is i needed a longer Thunderbolt cable so I purchased an OWC Thunderbolt 4 longer cable.

The people that have tested the display indicate there is no brightness provision to use with a Windows PC. The display was designed specifically for Apple computers. Perhaps in a future release Apple will provide that feature.

Did Apple fix this? Just bought a Studio Display and can’t believe I paid this much and not able to change the brightness at night on my work Windows PC.

Some people mentioned updating the firmware; can I do that with an iPad (e.g. iPad Air 5th generation) or do I need macOS?

as if it's not obvisous already?

I need to be able to use it with both my mac and laptop pc and I'm getting mixed responses (both from Best Buy and Apple employers) as to whether this is possible. Looks like it is, I just need to know how. I've looked into 5K alternatives (there are not that many) and I'm still set on Studio Dispay.

Yes, this is annoying, it turns on at peek brightness. The drivers are found for the camera, speakers, and even microphone...but the monitor remains blinding at night in the Windows work environment.

After the firmware upgrade, which needs to be done through a Mac, the display is no longer running at peek brightness. I'm extremely pleased they fixed it.

How do I check which version I am running? You still can not change the brightness from Windows but it is no longer as blindingly bright.

You need a MacBook and sadly you need to adjust the brightness on the MacBook it will stay locked in unless the monitor loses power it resets to super bright.