External monitor connected going black for a second few times a day.

[flowave]

External monitor connected going black for a second few times a day.

Anybody facing this issue? It's Benq EX3203R connected with USB-C.

The monitor is not supposed to charge the Macbook, but the M1 power usage is so low that, the monitor actually charges it when I don't use the Air. I am just connecting one cable, which is awesomeness I have not expected.

 

[circatee]

Within the monitor settings, is there any 'sleep' options enabled?
Also, if you happen to have a power cord directly connect to the MBA, while being connected to the monitor, does it still do the same?

Wondering if its a power availability issue.

 

[flowave]

Within the monitor settings, is there any 'sleep' options enabled?
Also, if you happen to have a power cord directly connect to the MBA, while being connected to the monitor, does it still do the same?

Wondering if its a power availability issue.

That's what I have been trying to find it out. The Macbook says it is connected and see the monitor, however the monitor is sleep mode. Sometimes it catches right away and wakes up in 1 seconds I guess. I have changed the setting and will update if it is fixed.

 

[mattiowa]

I have a LG Ultrafine 4k monitor and my new M1 was going black for a second several times last week but it has not done it yet today. Fingers crossed!

 

[flowave]

I have changed the monitor setting "USB-C auto switch" ON to OFF, and it's better.

 

[normandy7]

I have changed the monitor setting "USB-C auto switch" ON to OFF, and it's better.

Where is that setting?

 

[flowave]

Where is that setting?

It's actually in the Benq monitor itself.

UPDATE: It's doing the flicker thing again. I think it's just so random. Usually, it happens when waken up.

I think it might have to do with Touch ID being so fast to wake the thing, not giving enough time for the monitor to wake up.

 

[circatee]

I think it might have to do with Touch ID being so fast to wake the thing, not giving enough time for the monitor to wake up.

Hmm, put that to the test. With the device in sleep mode (or whatever mode it goes into), press any key on the keyboard, versus the power button/Touch ID, and see what happens with the monitor...

 

[Stalico]

Mine is doing that also. I have two external monitors that I haven't used in years but each are doing weird stuff with two different adapters. (Just one monitor connected at a time of course) Going blank for a second and also entire screen going black, except for a message window when messaging on Airbnb, and did it briefly when typing this. Waking up out of sleep can make it stark flickering and often the mouse pointer is in the wrong location even if I press a key to wake it up. I've started shutting off the monitor when putting the MBA to sleep. Like someone said its kind of random.

 

[Stalico]

Update: the M1 screen had the same issues without an external monitor. Likely be swapping this one out if it doesn't get fixed.

 

[chrisia777]

It's been three months and the issue hasn't been solved. I feel sick.

 

[jdb8167]

It's been three months and the issue hasn't been solved. I feel sick.

I'm seeing much more consistent wake from sleep on my external monitor with 11.2.2. I hope that means that Apple fixed some of the other issue plaguing M1 Macs and external monitors.

 

[wpalomine]

I'm having the same issue, but only on one port. Not sure if it was always there, I only noticed after 11.2.2. It flickers when the external monitor is connected on the port farther from laptop display.

 

[bmclaurin]

Same issue here. M1 MB Air. So frustrating. I'm using an LG external monitor with TB/HDMI cable. The behavior has gotten *worse* with the last two MacOS updates. The monitor will power on and work fine for a while and then it will randomly go black saying no signal detected, usually followed several moments later by powering back on (but not always). I've tried different monitors, different cables, different ports, etc. Nothing seems to help. Was hoping that the latest OS update would provide relief, but no joy. This laptop is completely unusable with an external monitor.

 

[jdb8167]

Same issue here. M1 MB Air. So frustrating. I'm using an LG external monitor with TB/HDMI cable. The behavior has gotten *worse* with the last two MacOS updates. The monitor will power on and work fine for a while and then it will randomly go black saying no signal detected, usually followed several moments later by powering back on (but not always). I've tried different monitors, different cables, different ports, etc. Nothing seems to help. Was hoping that the latest OS update would provide relief, but no joy. This laptop is completely unusable with an external monitor.

This might not be the solution you want hear but I've been using a $80 Caldigit USB-C SOHO dock for the last two months and along with the OS updates, my problems have completely disappeared. I'm using a LG 24UD58-B 24" 4K monitor and had a lot of problems with both HDMI but mostly with Display Port. My monitor now wakes from sleep every time and doesn't cut out. And the occasional weird ghosting problem seems to have gone away too.

 

[icanhazmac]

Similar issue with a 2017 MBP 15", one external screen is usbc to DisplayPort, the other is usbc to HDMI, both are 27" dell 1400s. Only the HDMI monitor exhibits the momentary black screen, usually coming out of sleep.

 

[bmclaurin]

This might not be the solution you want hear but I've been using a $80 Caldigit USB-C SOHO dock for the last two months and along with the OS updates, my problems have completely disappeared. I'm using a LG 24UD58-B 24" 4K monitor and had a lot of problems with both HDMI but mostly with Display Port. My monitor now wakes from sleep every time and doesn't cut out. And the occasional weird ghosting problem seems to have gone away too.

Funny, I was just looking at this dock online earlier today. Now that I've read your post I think I'm going to give it a try. Much appreciated.

 

[jdb8167]

Funny, I was just looking at this dock online earlier today. Now that I've read your post I think I'm going to give it a try. Much appreciated.

Just a FYI though, it uses USB-C power delivery and doesn’t come with a power adapter—you can use your MBA 30W adapter. The problem with this is that it shares power with the dock and you don’t get the full 30W charging. And the more you plug in that needs power, the less the notebook gets eventually leading to your MBA thinking it isn’t plugged in.

https://www.caldigit.com/usb-c-soho-dock-laptop-charging-capability/

I used it like this for a month and a half and then went out and bought an Anker USB-C 65W power delivery adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Anker-Adapter-PowerPort-MacBook/dp/B088TFZ942

Edit: I don’t recommend this now since they seemed to have raised the price significantly. I bought it for $40 and now they want $60.

Edit 2: This seems to be the one I bought. One less USB-C port. https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Anker-Adapter-PowerPort-MacBook/dp/B07ZCGYP27

 

[bmclaurin]

Just a FYI though, it uses USB-C power delivery and doesn’t come with a power adapter—you can use your MBA 30W adapter. The problem with this is that it shares power with the dock and you don’t get the full 30W charging. And the more you plug in that needs power, the less the notebook gets eventually leading to your MBA thinking it isn’t plugged in.

https://www.caldigit.com/usb-c-soho-dock-laptop-charging-capability/

I used it like this for a month and a half and then went out and bought an Anker USB-C 65W power delivery adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Anker-Adapter-PowerPort-MacBook/dp/B088TFZ942

Edit: I don’t recommend this now since they seemed to have raised the price significantly. I bought it for $40 and now they want $60.

Edit 2: This seems to be the one I bought. One less USB-C port. https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Anker-Adapter-PowerPort-MacBook/dp/B07ZCGYP27

Thanks for that. I have a few different higher wattage power adapters that I can use. Arrives tomorrow from Amazon. Fingers crossed that this will be the solution.

 

[bmclaurin]

Thanks for that. I have a few different higher wattage power adapters that I can use. Arrives tomorrow from Amazon. Fingers crossed that this will be the solution.

Just reporting back that the CalDigit SoHo dock arrived and seems to have solved my external display issues. Thanks @jdb8167. 👍

 

[wpalomine]

I'm having the same issue, but only on one port. Not sure if it was always there, I only noticed after 11.2.2. It flickers when the external monitor is connected on the port farther from laptop display.

Making progress... have not figured out the Why, but am now able to fix it when it happens. When the monitor flickers I quit one or all browser tabs. I use Brave 99% of the time, so when it happens I always have a brave tab open.

 

[jpdemersPatries]

I had the problem of momentary blackouts on a second monitor connected to an M1 Mini with a USB-C to HDMI adapter cable. (First monitor occupied the Mini's HDMI port.) Tried a different cable, same problem, tried an Apple dongle and an HDMI-HDMI cable, same problem; tried swapping the monitors, same problem. Finally solved it with a VESA-certified high-quality USB-C to DisplayPort cable. Those are hard to find; Moshi makes one that Apple sells for $60; I found it on eBay for about $50.

Amazon sells a raft of cheap Chinese crap, like the cables I had been using; some claim to be VESA certified but as far as I can tell they're all lying. (I flagged the listings to Amazon, and they went away, but they'll be back under a different name in no time.) I strongly recommend going to the VESA.com website to check out anything you're thinking of buying.

Yes, $50 is steep for a cable, but by the time you've run though a bunch of crap cables, you'll have spent that much anyhow ... and you'll still need to buy the real deal on top of that.
There is one caveat: I can't say whether the secret sauce was in the quality of the cable, or in the switch from HDMI to DisplayPort. All I know is that I no longer have the problem.

 

[cocoua]

I have this too, only happen with the Mac Studio, not the Macbook Intel, and only with the main menu bar screen, others are OK
My other 2 connected screens are 4K and 1080, I've swapped cables but same problem only in the 2.5K main screen, no matter the port or cable.

does anyone of you share this 3 things?
-M1 system
-USB-C monitor
-Random blanks only in the main screen with menu bar

 

[all4five]

does anyone of you share this 3 things?
-M1 system
-USB-C monitor
-Random blanks only in the main screen with menu bar

I have the exact same problem:

- M1 Max Mac Studio
- USB-C to HDMI Cable connected to an LG C2 (with this cable from amazon (no Ref Link)
- Random blanks on the C2 only after i wake up the Mac Studio. Can only be fixed by take the USB C Cable out and plugging it back in. » The random blanks don't appear until the next sleep and wake up

I tried different USB-C Ports to no avail.

 

[Rafael Santos]

I have this too, only happen with the Mac Studio, not the Macbook Intel, and only with the main menu bar screen, others are OK
My other 2 connected screens are 4K and 1080, I've swapped cables but same problem only in the 2.5K main screen, no matter the port or cable.

does anyone of you share this 3 things?
-M1 system
-USB-C monitor
-Random blanks only in the main screen with menu bar

M1 Mac Studio Max. LG 32UL750 display.
The monitor came with a USB-C cable, an HDMI cable, and a DisplayPort (AFAIK).
When connecting with the USB-C cable that came with the monitor I had several short black-outs -- less than 5 seconds but very annoying.
Started using the HDMI cable and all seems OK, no blackouts for days.
The blackouts affect the whole display, nothing appears.