External keyboard does not trigger MonitorControl

[faximan]

Before opening the issue, have you...?

• [x] Searched for existing issues
• [x] Looked through the wiki
• [x] Updated MonitorControl to the latest version (if applicable)

Describe the bug

I have MonitorControl set to use "Standard keyboard brightness keys" and "Screen to control" set to "Depends on mouse pointer position". But whatever I do, when I use the brightness keys on my external Apple wired keyboard, it is always the internal MacBook display that is changing brightness.

However, when I use the keys on the MacBook keyboard, everything works as expected and MonitorControl does its thing.

This is a somewhat new bug (maybe a few months?) It used to work well with the same hardware.

Steps to reproduce

Press brightness keys on external wired Apple extended keyboard while mouse pointer position is on the external display.

Expected behavior

Brightness is changed on external display. Actually happens: brightness is changed on Macbook internal display.

Anything else?

No response

Environment Information (please complete the following information)

- macOS version: Sequoia 15.5
- Mac model: M2 MacBook Air 2022
- MonitorControl version: 4.3.3
- Monitor(s): Dell P2720DC
- Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): yes

[johha]

I have the same issue using a MacBook M4 Pro running MacOS 15.6. It used to work for me as well a couple of weeks ago. I tried to connect my keyboard via Bluetooth and USB while restarting MonitControl before/after connecting the keyboard but always the same issue.

[faximan]

It actually started working for me again. No idea why, I thought maybe it was the update to Sequoia 15.6 but sounds like that might not be it then.

[VishalDhayalanN15]

I am experiencing the exact same problem, it works using Mac keyboard but not with external magic keyboard connected via bluetooth. It was working fine a few months ago consistently, but now it doesn't work anymore.

[clementquentin]

Same here.

[clementquentin]

Any update @VishalDhayalanN15 @faximan @johha ?

[johha]

I tried different kinds of keyboards (apple vs non app/ wired vs bluetooth) but could not reproduce the issue 🤷

[clementquentin]

Did you change anything since Aug 6, when you reported having this problem ?

[faximan]

Did you change anything since Aug 6, when you reported having this problem ?

If that's a question for me I don't think I have changed anything except the recent update to macOS Tahoe. Same hardware for sure. But I cannot reproduce this issue anymore so yeah...

[johha]

I upgraded to macOS 15.6.1 on August 22 but can't remember when the keyboard shortcuts worked correctly again. At the moment everything is working fine.

[clementquentin]

OK. I'm on 15.6.1 but the issue is still here...

[waydabber]

I could never reproduce this issue myself and even those who could reported it being fixed by itself after a while with no apparent extra effort on their part. So maybe a reboot, re-pairing or resetting something (?) helps. I just leave this ticket open here so those who have this can join up and maybe figure out what's going on. I don't think it's macOS version specific as reports like this are with as from the dawn of time lol.

It might be useful to try other similar apps (like BetterDisplay) to see if that has the problem as well or the issue is specific to accessibility permissions granted to MonitorControl.

An other thing one can try is to reset the transparancy/content/control permissions database tccutil reset Accessibility or tccutil reset All.