problem with volume controls on MacBook air M1 (Tahoe 26.3.1)

Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts (button) > Function Keys and toggle OFF the option to Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys. Alternatively, press the Globe key while pressing F10/F11/F12 to control the volume.

More info from Apple: How to use the function keys on your Mac - Apple Support

MacBook Air M1 – Volume Control Problems

macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 – F10, F11 and F12 Keys

Thanks for sharing the details. There are a couple of things worth distinguishing here: a change in the visual presentation of the volume controls in macOS Tahoe 26, and the possibility that your F10, F11 and F12 keyboard shortcuts have stopped functioning correctly.

1. Change in the visual presentation

In earlier versions of macOS, adjusting the volume using F10, F11 or F12 displayed a relatively large volume indicator in the centre of the screen.

With macOS Tahoe 26, Apple changed this presentation. The volume indicator now appears as a smaller on-screen display in the upper-right portion of the screen, immediately below the menu bar, close to the date and time and Control Center icons.

This is an intentional design change, not a fault with the MacBook or keyboard.

Unfortunately, macOS Tahoe does not provide a standard setting to restore the previous centre-screen volume indicator.

You can, however, access the volume controls directly through Control Center in the menu bar.

Apple reference – Using Control Center on Mac:

Use Control Center on Mac - Apple Support (CA)

2. Check the Function Keys settings

Although Apple changed the visual presentation, the F10, F11 and F12 keys should still control the volume.

To check that they are configured correctly:

1. 
   
2. Click the Apple menu ().
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. Open System Settings.
6. 
   
7. 
   
8. Select Keyboard.
9. 
   
10. 
    
11. Click Keyboard Shortcuts.
12. 
    
13. 
    
14. Select Function Keys in the sidebar.
15. 
    
16. 
    
17. Look for the option "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys."
18. 
    

If this option is enabled, disable it to restore the normal media-control behaviour of the top-row keys.

The normal volume-key functions are:

• 
  
• F10: Mute/unmute.
• 
  
• 
  
• F11: Decrease volume.
• 
  
• 
  
• F12: Increase volume.
• 
  

Apple reference – How to use the function keys on your Mac:

How to use the function keys on your Mac - Apple Support (CA)

3. Try the Fn/Globe key

If the above setting is already disabled, try pressing Fn (or Globe) + F10, F11 or F12.

If the volume controls work this way, it suggests that the keyboard is operating in standard function-key mode rather than media-control mode.

Apple reference – Use keyboard function keys on Mac:

Use keyboard function keys on Mac - Apple Support (CA)

4. Check the sound settings

Go to: System Settings > Sound > Output.

Make sure the correct audio output device is selected and that the volume slider works normally.

You can also adjust the volume through Control Center in the upper-right corner of the menu bar.

To do this:

1. 
   
2. Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar.
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. Locate the Sound control.
6. 
   
7. 
   
8. Adjust the volume slider.
9. 
   

This will help establish whether the problem is restricted to the keyboard shortcuts or whether there is a wider audio issue.

Apple references:

• 
  
• Change Sound settings on Mac:
• 
  
• Change Sound settings on Mac - Apple Support (CA)
• 
  
• If the internal speakers on your Mac aren't working:
• 
  
• If the internal speakers on your Mac aren't working - Apple Support (CA)
• 
  

5. Restart your Mac

A simple restart can sometimes resolve temporary keyboard or macOS glitches.

Choose Apple menu () > Restart.

After restarting, test all three volume keys again.

6. Check for third-party keyboard utilities

If you use applications such as Karabiner-Elements, BetterTouchTool or other keyboard customisation utilities, temporarily disable them and test the keys again.

These applications can sometimes intercept or change keyboard shortcuts.

7. Start your Mac in Safe Mode

If the problem persists, try starting your Mac in Safe Mode to determine whether third-party software or startup applications are interfering with the keyboard controls.

Since your MacBook Air has an Apple M1 processor, follow Apple's Apple silicon instructions:

1. 
   
2. Shut down your Mac.
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. Press and hold the power button until the startup options appear.
6. 
   
7. 
   
8. Select your startup disk.
9. 
   
10. 
    
11. Press and hold the Shift key.
12. 
    
13. 
    
14. Click Continue in Safe Mode.
15. 
    

Once your Mac has started, test the volume keys again.

Apple reference – Start up your Mac in Safe Mode:

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support (CA)

8. If the problem persists

If none of these suggestions resolves the problem, Apple Support may need to investigate a possible macOS or keyboard-related issue.

You can also consult Apple's Canadian Mac support resources:

Mac - Official Apple Support

My recommendation

I would start with Step 2, checking the Function Keys setting, followed by Step 3, testing the Fn/Globe key combination.

It is important to distinguish between Apple's deliberate change to the visual presentation and an actual problem with the keyboard shortcuts.

The relocation of the volume indicator is a visual change, but the F10, F11 and F12 volume controls should continue to work.

Hopefully, one of these suggestions will resolve the problem and get your MacBook Air volume controls working as expected!