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Brightness control no longer working after Big Sur """upgrade"""

I've decided to update my MacBook Air (11-inch, early 2014) to the new iOS Big Sur.

Suddenly, I've realised that I no longer can control the brightness of my display.

I now read in the macOS User Guide that: "You can’t adjust the brightness of some older Apple displays." What do I do now????

Buy some sunglasses to work on my MacAir???


PS - Please don't tell me that the only solution you have is for me to downgrade back to Catalina.

MacBook Air

Posted on Oct 11, 2021 11:39 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 11, 2021 12:05 PM

Boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 11, 2021 12:05 PM in response to RAM, the Maverick

Boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


Brightness control no longer working after Big Sur """upgrade"""

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