Use Keyboard Volume Keys to Control External Monitor Volume (Mac & Windows)

Many external monitors come with built-in speakers, but controlling their volume usually means reaching for the monitor's buttons or a separate remote. DisplayBuddy changes that by letting you use your keyboard's volume keys.

Enabling Volume Key Control

To enable this feature:

1. Open DisplayBuddy and click on the Settings icon
2. Go to Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts
3. Check "Use Volume keys to control volume for external displays"

That's it! Your volume keys will now control your monitor's speakers.

How It Works

When enabled:

• Volume Up/Down adjusts your monitor's speaker volume
• Mute toggles mute on your monitor's speakers
• Works with any keyboard that has standard volume keys

Requirements

• Your monitor must have built-in speakers
• Monitor must support DDC/CI volume control (most modern monitors do)
• DisplayBuddy installed and running

Troubleshooting

If volume control isn't working:

1. Check if your monitor supports DDC volume control - not all monitors expose volume via DDC/CI
2. Verify speakers are enabled on your monitor's OSD menu
3. Make sure audio is routed to your monitor - check macOS Sound preferences
4. Try refreshing DDC connection in DisplayBuddy settings

Compatible Monitors

Volume control works with most monitors from:

• Dell (most models with speakers)
• LG (UltraFine and other models)
• Samsung (including Smart Monitors)
• BenQ
• ASUS
• And many more...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't Mac volume keys work on external monitors?

By default, macOS volume keys only control the Mac's internal speakers or the system audio output. They don't communicate with external monitor speakers because monitors use a separate DDC/CI protocol for hardware volume control. DisplayBuddy bridges this gap by intercepting your volume key presses and translating them into DDC commands that your monitor understands.

How to fix volume keys not working on external monitor?

If your volume keys aren't controlling your external monitor:

1. Enable DDC/CI on your monitor - Check your monitor's OSD menu for a DDC/CI or "External Control" setting and make sure it's enabled
2. Grant DisplayBuddy accessibility permissions - Go to System Preferences > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and enable DisplayBuddy
3. Enable the feature in DisplayBuddy - Open DisplayBuddy > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts and check "Use Volume keys to control volume for external displays"
4. Verify your monitor supports DDC volume - Not all monitors expose volume control via DDC/CI. Check your monitor's specifications or test with DisplayBuddy's manual volume slider

Can I use volume keys to control monitor volume on Windows?

Yes! DisplayBuddy for Windows also supports using keyboard volume keys to control external monitor speakers. The setup is similar to Mac - just enable the feature in DisplayBuddy's settings and make sure DDC/CI is enabled on your monitor.

Do volume keys work with Dell/LG/Samsung monitors?

Yes, DisplayBuddy's volume key control works with most Dell, LG, and Samsung monitors that have built-in speakers and support DDC/CI. This includes popular models like:

• Dell UltraSharp series (U2720Q, U2723DE, etc.)
• LG UltraFine 4K and 5K displays
• Samsung Smart Monitors (M5, M7, M8)
• And many other brands and models

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Controlling your monitor's volume from your keyboard makes for a smoother, more integrated experience. No more reaching for monitor buttons or hunting for remotes.