Brightness stuck low after macOS 26.0 update on MacBook Pro

mcoliver81 wrote:

Brightness just won’t get high enough after update. I’ve done everything besides a factory reset.

NVRAM refresh,

DFU revive and I do nothing it’s hardware because after the NVRAM reset it stays bright till I log in.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Max brightness issue

What exact Mac is this 13".... Intel (?) M-series(?)

Verify your >System Settings>Displays and make changes and compare your reults

turn off Auto brightness

turn off True Tone

To trouble shoot further you can:

—A SafeBoot Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support will sort many anomalies

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled temporarily.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.

This test will tell you if third party interference; most extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

***wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries— connect the charging cable, this will make the wired keyboard successful Safe Boot your Mac.

unplug all non-essential peripherals when testing

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

If you did everything beside a factory reset— then I would suggest that and compare your results.

mcoliver81 wrote:

How can I go about factory resetting and not losing my files? Or can I wait for a fix from Apple?

For your Intel you can try both—

—resetting the  System Management Controller  Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support 

— resetting NVRAM/PRAM Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

 (get at least two-three rounds of the chimes when holding the NVRAM Reset)

You can run the user Diagnostic...not as definitive as Apple's own AST2 (Apple Service Toolkit) back bench diagnostic, but may kick out an error code.

User Diagnostics to test your Mac for hardware issues

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

Sure you can wait for a point update and see if it resolves your issue.

To be proactive you can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here:  Product Feedback - Apple

for hardware take it in—

In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Outside the USA

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

You can try reinstalling the macOS

How to reinstall macOS using Recovery (both M1/M2/M3/M4 and Intel) — How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support