Macbook Air M3 - Low Brightness after waking up!
The MacBook Air M3 offers a top-quality display and excellent performance. But sometimes, users face a strange problem: the screen stays dim after waking up from sleep. Even when you try to adjust the brightness, it may not answer as expected, making the screen hard to see and use.
Luckily, this issue can be solved with some simple troubleshooting steps. At MRD, we help Mac users resolve display problems like this every day. Let’s see why your MacBook Air M3 has low brightness after waking up and how to fix it.

Why Does the MacBook Air M3 Screen Stay Dim After Wake Up?
There are a few common reasons why your MacBook Air M3 screen remains too dark after sleep:
- Auto-brightness settings: The system may automatically lower brightness based on surrounding light.
- Battery saver mode: MacOS lowers the screen brightness to extend battery life.
- Software glitches: An error in macOS could cause display settings to function incorrectly.
- Display or hardware issues: Rarely, hardware problems may affect screen brightness.
How to Fix Low Brightness on MacBook Air M3 After Wakeup
Follow these easy steps to fix the dim screen on your MacBook Air M3.
1. Manually Adjust Brightness
- Use the F2 key (brightness up) on your keyboard to increase screen brightness.
- Or go to System Settings, open displays, and slide the brightness bar to the right.
2. Turn Off Auto-Brightness
- Go to System Settings > Displays.
- Turn off automatically and adjust the brightness to stop your Mac from dimming the screen based on surrounding light.
3. Check Battery Settings
- Open System Settings > Battery.
- Turn off low power mode. If enabled, this feature may reduce screen brightness to conserve battery life.
4. Refreshing Your MacBook Air M3
- Go to the Apple menu and click on Restart.
- A quick restart can clear small system issues affecting display brightness.
5. Update macOS
- Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, install it to help resolve any screen related issues.
6. Reset SMC (System Management Controller)
- Shut down your MacBook Air.
- Hold Shift + Control + Option and the power button together for 10 seconds.
- Release the keys, turn your MacBook Air back on and reset power functions like brightness.
7. Reset NVRAM/PRAM
- Shut down your MacBook Air.
- Please turn it on and right away press Option + Command + P + R.
- Hold the keys for 20 seconds until the Apple logo appears twice or you hear a chime.
Seek Professional Help
If the screen stays dim even after trying these steps, there could be a deeper hardware issue. MRD provides specialized diagnostics and repair services to restore functionality to your MacBook Air M3.
Conclusion
The MacBook Air M3 sometimes experiences issues with display brightness. You can fix this by adjusting settings, restarting the device, or updating macOS. And if the issue continues, MacBook Repair Dubai is always here to help with professional support and repair services. Get your MacBook Air M3’s displays back to its bright and clear best today.