MacBook Pro brightness control unresponsive and erratic

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Level 1

4 points

MacBook Pro brightness control unresponsive and erratic

Hi!

MacBook Pro 14" Nov 2023, M3 Max, Tahoe 26.2

I have a recurring issue with brightness control. If I am moving the brightness setting down, via the keyboard or the digital slider, it often stops responding to commands and jumps around brightness levels.

If I drop it to its lowest setting, the screen turns off all together and I can't turn it back on with the keyboard until I close the laptop lid and reopen - it then resets to a low level.

I've had this screen fully replaced via AppleCare after physical damage so it doesn't seem to be the screen itself. This issue has been a problem across many software updates over two years.

Any advice much appreciated :)

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 31, 2026 11:15 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

140,963 points

Jan 31, 2026 12:53 PM in response to mmoroney99

Debugging steps:

General debugging tips:

Make certain you have applied all available software updates, because no one wants to debug a problem that might have been seen and solved already.

Then you need to go through the “regular" steps to eliminate added software as the cause of the problem:

• Run In Safe Mode, where no third-party add-ons are loaded

• create a new "clean" User account, and run with that to eliminate contamination in your regular User account

• run the diagnostic to check for GROSS issues. "no fault found" is not the same as "all is well".

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

If you are seeing kernel panics, post a panic report. Some panic-reasons suggest a Hardware issue. There is a procedure that can allow you to find those reports to post one. Ask for assistance if you need it.

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Answer 2

Jan 31, 2026 11:46 AM in response to mmoroney99

does your MacBook Pro have an ambient light sensor?

if you want manual control, turn off "automatically adjust brightness":

Change your Mac display’s brightness - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Jan 31, 2026 11:54 AM in response to mmoroney99

Your Apple repair comes with a 90 day warranty. Return your device to the servicer and ask them to "make It right".

Be sure to explain EXACTLY what you see as the problem, else they may return it to you unchanged.

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Answer 4

mmoroney99 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2026 11:51 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks! This setting is already turned off :)

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Answer 5

mmoroney99 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2026 12:01 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks again. I did explain exactly what was going on, and demonstrated the issue. I was told that it was likely a firmware issue, which doesn't seem to be the case!

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