Can't unmap F14/F15 from brightness

Question

Level 1

16 points

Can't unmap F14/F15 from brightness

Hello - I am having the problem where I have a "display" item in the keyboard shortcuts properties and it's mapped to F14 and F15. I read in another thread that it was due to an external third party keyboard, which I did have and have since removed. The fix was to plug in an external keyboard again and unmapped it. However, I can't seem to do this. Do I just un-check the boxes? I do this but the buttons continue to function as brightness. Any suggestions for how to get rid of this? Thanks.

Posted on Apr 19, 2022 11:55 AM

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Answer 1

kamote0628

Community Specialist

Apr 20, 2022 10:58 AM in response to MadParty

Hi MadParty, We appreciate you reaching out to us. We understand that you are experiencing issues with your programmed function keys.

We’d like to gather additional details that may help us be in a better position to assist you. Did you use the same steps in the article below to set them up?

How to use the function keys on your Mac

If yes, we recommend that you check if the issue persists when signed in on a different user account.

The article below can help if you do not have any other user account to test with.

Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

If you are experiencing the issue when signed in on a different user account, we recommend that you check if the issue persists while on safe mode.

Below is an article to help guide you through the process.

How to use safe mode on your Mac

Take care!

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Answer 2

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Apr 21, 2022 6:21 AM in response to MadParty

Hey MadParty,

Did you have a chance to follow the steps we provided in the previous reply?

If so, what were the testing results?

Also, what happens if you chose "Restore Defaults"? Do the shortcuts still function, instead of allowing you to replace with different options?

Thanks!

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

136,379 points

Apr 25, 2022 11:17 AM in response to MadParty

FWIW, you may be able to customize your keyboard using Karabiner-Elements (free).

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Answer 4

MadParty Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 27, 2022 11:17 AM in response to dialabrain

I think the "display" setting appears when you use a keyboard other than an apple one. The problem is, when you then get rid of it and go back to the apple one (I'm using the magic keyboard with touchID), the setting and hardcoded function remains. I had a Logitech keyboard but I didn't like it so I returned it for the magic keyboard but the setting remains.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

136,379 points

Apr 25, 2022 8:07 AM in response to MadParty

Not sure what you're seeing. If I uncheck F14/F15 in System Preferences > Keyboard > Display, the keys no longer adjust brightness.

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Answer 6

MadParty Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 20, 2022 5:48 PM in response to kamote0628

Thanks. This is specific to a “Display” option in the shortcuts menu with two rows in it - increase and decrease brightness. These are mapped by default to F14 and F15 by default. I can uncheck them and change them but it doesn’t have any effect. The keys on the apple magic keyboard continue to function to increase and decrease screen brightness. I can’t change them. I read it’s due to a third party keyboard having been there, which it was but removed.

I’d like to free up these keys to do something else.

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Answer 7

MadParty Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 25, 2022 7:24 AM in response to mingoslkd

Hello - So I can't create a new user because it's a work issued machine and I have a set username and password. I did try safe mode but it was no different.

I can change the values from F14 and F15 to something different, but it doesn't change the behavior of the keys. I can uncheck them but they still function to change the brightness.

And Restore Defaults puts the settings back to F14 / F15. Basically, I'd like to reset it as if I never plugged in an external keyboard.

Thanks.

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Answer 8

MadParty Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 27, 2022 10:50 AM in response to dialabrain

Found this thread. Sounds like the same thing I'm experiencing. No solution as far as I can tell.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8620414

I actually have Karabiner but it doesn't stop the keys from changing the brightness.

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Answer 9

dialabrain

Level 10

136,379 points

Apr 27, 2022 11:10 AM in response to MadParty

FWIW, my guess is the problem is you are using an external keyboard. The other thing I found interesting is System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts, there is a setting for Display on my Late 2015 5K iMac, however, not on my iMac Pro. Both running the same version of Monterey. F14/15 do nothing on my iMac Pro.

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Answer 10

dialabrain

Level 10

136,379 points

Apr 27, 2022 11:21 AM in response to MadParty

MadParty wrote:

I think the "display" setting appears when you use a keyboard other than an apple one.

Not in my case. My iMac Pro is using the same extended Apple keyboard it came with. And I'm using a Satechi keyboard on my iMac at the moment.

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Answer 11

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,301 points

Apr 27, 2022 4:22 PM in response to dialabrain

I only get the F14/F15 choice if I use a non apple wired keyboard and if I uncheck those it has no impact. My Apple keyboard does not have this choice since there is no "display" category in the left column.

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