MonitorControl: Volume control is not working on my Dell u2720q display (brightness control does)

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Describe the issue

Volume control is not working on my Dell u2720q display. Brightness control works just fine.

I use a 2018 macbook pro (intel macbookpro15,2) running Monterey 12.6 and MonitorControl 4.1.0 build 7034. The monitor is connected via a USB-C cable (DP alt mode). DDC/CI is turned ON in the settings of the monitor. The monitor has no built-in speakers and discrete speakers are connected through its audio-out port (3.5mm jack).

When I press the volume keys on the keyboard, MonitorControl displays the macOS OSD “scale” but the volume of the speakers is not affected. I can only change the volume by using the physical knob on the speakers.

Again, brightness control works as expected.

Expected behavior

I wish that volume control keys on the keyboard would work as expected (turn the speakers volume up and down).

Anything else?

No response

Environment Information (please complete the following information)

- macOS version: 12.6
- Mac model: macbookpro15,2 (13'' touch 2018)
- MonitorControl version: 4.1.0 build 7034
- Monitor(s): Dell u2720q
- Monitor Cable(s)/Connection(s): macbook pro -> USB-C (DP alt mode) -> Dell u2720q
- Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): no

About this issue

Original URL
State: closed
Created 2 years ago
Reactions: 2
Comments: 23 (3 by maintainers)

Most upvoted comments

I’m having the exact same issue with my Dell U4021QW, via USB-C with external speakers. Happy to provide additional context or testing if that’s helpful.

My system:

- macOS version: 12.4
- Mac model: 16" 2019 Intel
- MonitorControl version: 4.1.0 build 7034
- Monitor(s): Dell U4021QW
- Monitor Cable(s)/Connection(s): MBP USB-C -> Dell USB-C
- Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): No

askreet on Sep 22, 2022

I can also confirm same behaviour for Dell U2720Q linked via USB-C cable with Macbook 14 M1 Pro. Sound system is connected via 3.5mm jack into monitor. With MonitorControl 4.1.0 I can easily adjust level of brightness however not sound level at all. Does not change behavior if I turn off or on DDC/CI in monitor settings. In MacOS of course default sound source is set to monitor (see attached image). Snímek obrazovky 2022-10-14 v 10 51 09

nafik on Oct 14, 2022

Did you select the right volume output in the macOS native “Sound” menu (or in the “System Settings” app) ?

In the macOS native Sound menu I have the monitor selected, which has the speakers plugged into it.

You can also disable ddc volume control directly in the app which should let macOS handle volume completly

I don’t see any ddc volume controls in the app itself, but I’ve tried setting DDC/CI both ON and OFF in the settings of the monitor. As far as letting macOS handle the volume, if MonitorControl is not running, and I have the output set to my monitor as shown in the screenshot above, I get this: CleanShot 2022-10-05 at 08 47 57@2x

macOS does not appear to allow controlling external speakers connected to a monitor by default. Using something like: https://github.com/briankendall/proxy-audio-device works and I’m able to control the external speakers.

steveslotnick on Oct 5, 2022