imac screen brightness changes

[stump4545]

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i have my new 27in imac screen brightness set almost at zero for printing.

 

but sometimes the brightness level changes all by itself.

 

why does this happen and how do i stop the OS from changing screen brightness?

 

thanks for the help.

[Tim B]

I don't know if the new iMac has the potential for this setting, but you could easily check in system preferences.

 

The MacBook Pro has an option for automatic adjustment of screen brightness, so that in bright light or dim you don't have to keep adjusting the screen brightness manually for different conditions.

 

I can't see why you would do this for a static computer, but maybe this is what is happening.

 

Just a thought.

 

Tim

[adan]

Three settings in the "System Preferences" that should be checked if you are getting unexpected brightness changes:

 

Keyboard - make sure "Use all F1,F2 keys as standard functions keys" is CHECKED (otherwise hitting F1 or F2 will darken or lighten the screen - note the sunburst icons on those keys.)

 

Energy Saver - Makes sure "Automatically reduce brightness before display goes to sleep" is NOT CHECKED.

 

Displays - there is an option in some versions of OSX for "Automatically adjust brightness as ambient light changes" - same as Tim B mentions. This does NOT appear in the prefs for my 2009 iMac - so I can't speak from experience - but if it does in yours, make sure it is UNCHECKED.

 

HOWEVER - it seems some iMac versions are just screwy when it comes to maintaining screen brightness: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3261868?start=0&tstart=0

[stump4545]

thanks for the F1 or F2 tip.

 

I think my kids might hit these from time to time.

 

thanks

[Guest WPalank]

What everyone else said.

 

Both of my printing computers are Macs, one of which is an iMac. When getting prints that match brightness, I always make a permanent note of the number of Brightness Bars going from Left to right. I have private offices, so no kids running amuck . I like having the F1-F2 keys available for changes on the fly.

 

Glad you solved the problem