DDC/CI works sometimes (opening the monitor menu fixes it)
If DDC/CI only works after you open the monitor OSD menu, your control channel may be sleeping or the connection path may be flaky. Here’s what to try.
Some monitors (or adapter chains) behave like the DDC/CI channel is “asleep” until the OSD is opened. It’s annoying — but there are a few mitigations.
Try these steps in order to improve reliability.
Mitigations to try
- Enable DDC/CI in the OSD (even if you think it’s already on).
- Power-cycle the monitor and reconnect the cable.
- Avoid long adapter chains (dock → adapter → switch → monitor).
- Prefer DisplayPort when possible (often more reliable than certain HDMI adapter setups).
If it’s still flaky
- Use GPU dimming as a fallback for that display — it avoids DDC entirely.
- If you must use hardware brightness, connect the monitor directly or change the dock/switch.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Why does opening the monitor menu make DDC/CI start working?
Some monitors only wake their DDC/CI handler after OSD activity due to firmware power-saving behavior.
Is it a Windows bug or a monitor bug?
Usually monitor firmware behavior, often triggered by certain sleep states, refresh modes, or input switching.
How do I keep brightness control stable?
If DDC/CI remains flaky, use gamma dimming as a fallback and reserve DDC for setups where it’s consistently reliable.