MonitorControl: DDC control does not work on M2 Pro/Max systems
Before opening the issue, have you…?
- Searched for existing issues
- Read through the Monitor-Troubleshooting Wiki
- Updated MonitorControl to the latest version (if applicable)
Describe the issue
It cannot control the monitor hardware settings on my M2 Pro Mac mini. Specifically, the volume slider and the contrast slider do not show up in the menu bar. Adjusting the brightness only adjusts the software brightness. When the sound output is set to the external display, adjusting the volume does not modify the volume although the macOS OSD changes.
LG’s official app, OnScreen Control does NOT work. The other app, BetterDisplay, works well.
All three apps work on an Intel Macbook Pro with the same monitor.
Expected behavior
Adjusting the volume and brightness should change the hardware settings as shown in the monitor’s OSD.
Anything else?
No response
Environment Information (please complete the following information)
- macOS version: 13.2 (22D49)
- Mac model: MNH73VC/A (Mac mini)
- MonitorControl version: 4.1.0
- Monitor(s): LG 27UP850N-W
- Monitor Cable(s)/Connection(s): CtoC
- Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): yes (M2 Pro)
About this issue
- Original URL
- State: closed
- Created a year ago
- Reactions: 14
- Comments: 20 (5 by maintainers)
Due to various hardware changes, MonitorControl 4.1.0 is incompatible with M2 Pro/Max Macs (and M1 Macs with the built-in HDMI port). There are plans to update the app (+ of course it’s open to any contributor to work on it meanwhile).
Until support is added, you can follow this: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/discussions/1299 (as I see you already did).
IMPORTANT: The fact that brightness control seemingly works on these systems, does not mean DDC hardware backlight control is working as the app falls back to software dimming.
UPDATE: To make life easier - the following apps do support DDC on M2 Pro/Max systems. Important to note that unlike MonitorControl, these are not open-source apps. Both apps are freemium (they have both free and paid features):
If any other free, paid, open or closed source app is be available with this feature, feel free to mention it in the comments below. If you’d like to contribute to make MonitorControl M2 Pro/Max compatible, by all means do it and create a Pull Request!
This is now resolved with the v4.2.0 update which contains the M2 Pro DDC additions carried over from BetterDisplay.
I really love this app and I hope it can be fixed on M2 Pro/M2 Max.
Honestly, I think it makes more sense to use BetterDisplay since it has more features and all DDC stuff is free in it, but I understand many like the simplicity and opensource nature of MonitorControl so I added this PR to cover M2 Pro/Max/Ultra systems:
https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/pull/1404
Same here, the App still works after upgrading to the M2 Max, but only via “Software (Gamma)”
Looking forward to see this amazing App working on the newest chips.
M2 MBP user reporting in with the same issue. DDC / hardware brightness adjustment works fine on my M1. On the M2 that my company sent to me, only software dimming is available.
Experiencing this too with mac mini m2 pro, brightness is ok but volume is not.
+1 on M2 Pro