Troubleshooting Auto-Brightness Functionality on the LG 38WR85QC-W Monitor
Recently, I acquired the LG 38WR85QC-W, a high-resolution ultrawide monitor that boasts an auto-brightness feature designed to optimize display clarity based on ambient lighting conditions. However, I’ve encountered persistent issues where this feature appears non-functional, prompting a deeper investigation into possible causes and solutions.
Observations and Configuration Details
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Behavior: Activating auto-brightness results in the screen brightness dropping to an almost unreadable 1-3%, regardless of ambient light levels.
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Connections:
- Laptop: Linux work laptop connected via USB-C.
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Desktop PC: Connected via DisplayPort and USB-B.
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Sensor Placement: The ambient light sensor is located at the bottom right side of the monitor, near the joystick control, and is unobstructed.
Troubleshooting Steps Conducted
- Adjusting Power and Energy Settings:
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Enabled and disabled the Smart Energy Saving feature through the on-screen display (OSD) menu to rule out conflicts.
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Contrast and Display Interference:
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Disabled DFC (Dynamic Fine Contrast) to prevent contrast adjustments from affecting auto-brightness behavior.
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Software Interference:
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Reviewed AMD graphics software settings to identify any conflicts that may interfere with auto-brightness, but found no anomalies.
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Firmware Checks:
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Confirmed the monitor firmware is up-to-date; no updates are currently available.
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Factory Reset and Environmental Testing:
- Reset the monitor to factory settings.
- Tested in various lighting conditions—bright and dark rooms—to observe any changes in auto-brightness response.
Additional Context
It’s worth noting that I previously owned the LG 38WN95C-W, the predecessor to the 38WR85QC-W. Unfortunately, the auto-brightness feature did not work on that model either, though it was not a priority for me at the time.
Seeking Community Insights
Has anyone else experienced similar issues with the auto-brightness feature on LG monitors? Specifically, does auto-brightness function reliably for you on the 38WR85QC-W or comparable models? Could this problem stem from firmware limitations, hardware sensor malfunctions, or software conflicts? Alternatively, might this be a widespread issue affecting multiple units?
Conclusion
While the auto-brightness
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