M1 Mac Mini hooked up to a Dell S3221QS 4k monitor: A near-complete trainwreck.

[thomstarboy]

Recently received a Dell S3221QS monitor for my Mac Mini and just about nothing has worked out right. Here are the problems I've experienced:

• Connecting USB-C to DisplayPort (my preferred method) results in intermittent screen blackouts, approximately four seconds on, two seconds off in a repeating pattern whenever I wake from sleep or wake from the display off time out. I can usually get this pattern to stop if I unplug and replug, but not always.
• Connecting HDMI to HDMI does not have intermittent blackouts, but goes right from 2560x1440 to 4K for scaled resolution options without anything in between. My preferred scaled resolution is 3008 x 1692 as everything is too small in 4K and 2560x1440 is not an upgrade from my previous monitor.
• Whether connected over HDMI or DisplayPort, there is consistent screen flickering either when I play videos or when vertical scrolling through high-contrast (i.e. a lot of dark blacks and bright whites) websites.
  • I also sometimes get vertical lines appearing on the screen in addition to the flickering, but not always.

Ironically, I have not experienced any wake from sleep issues connecting over DisplayPort or HDMI (though, as I mentioned, DisplayPort almost always wakes from sleep in the intermittent blackout state). I have tried multiple USB-C DisplayPort cables, 1.2 and 1.4, and even tried using a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter with a conventional DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. None of these helped. I am also on the latest Big Sur — 11.2.3.

Does anyone have any suggestions for any of these issues? Should I just return it as I am still within the return window?

Also, though this is something I'm less concerned with, I had been planning to use this new 4K monitor as my main with my old 2560x1440 monitor in vertical mode, but when I tried connecting USB-C to DisplayPort for the 4K and HDMI to HDMI for the old 2560, I couldn't get anything to show up on the 2560 at all over HDMI. This old 2560 did have the wake from sleep issue when connected USB-C to DisplayPort, not everytime, probably 50-50, but it at least has always been fixed with one unplug-replug (unlike the 4K over USB-C to DisplayPort which has sometimes needed multiple unplug-replugs).

 

[WhatAmIDoingHere]

I am in the same boat except I can't the screen to work with my Mac at all!! Would love to hear the solution!

Edit - using a higher quality hdmi cable I was able to get readable QHD or 4k but everything too small. No flicker so far.

 

[bdf0506]

Recently received a Dell S3221QS monitor for my Mac Mini and just about nothing has worked out right. Here are the problems I've experienced:

• Connecting USB-C to DisplayPort (my preferred method) results in intermittent screen blackouts, approximately four seconds on, two seconds off in a repeating pattern whenever I wake from sleep or wake from the display off time out. I can usually get this pattern to stop if I unplug and replug, but not always.
• Connecting HDMI to HDMI does not have intermittent blackouts, but goes right from 2560x1440 to 4K for scaled resolution options without anything in between. My preferred scaled resolution is 3008 x 1692 as everything is too small in 4K and 2560x1440 is not an upgrade from my previous monitor.
• Whether connected over HDMI or DisplayPort, there is consistent screen flickering either when I play videos or when vertical scrolling through high-contrast (i.e. a lot of dark blacks and bright whites) websites.
  • I also sometimes get vertical lines appearing on the screen in addition to the flickering, but not always.

Ironically, I have not experienced any wake from sleep issues connecting over DisplayPort or HDMI (though, as I mentioned, DisplayPort almost always wakes from sleep in the intermittent blackout state). I have tried multiple USB-C DisplayPort cables, 1.2 and 1.4, and even tried using a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter with a conventional DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. None of these helped. I am also on the latest Big Sur — 11.2.3.

Does anyone have any suggestions for any of these issues? Should I just return it as I am still within the return window?

Also, though this is something I'm less concerned with, I had been planning to use this new 4K monitor as my main with my old 2560x1440 monitor in vertical mode, but when I tried connecting USB-C to DisplayPort for the 4K and HDMI to HDMI for the old 2560, I couldn't get anything to show up on the 2560 at all over HDMI. This old 2560 did have the wake from sleep issue when connected USB-C to DisplayPort, not everytime, probably 50-50, but it at least has always been fixed with one unplug-replug (unlike the 4K over USB-C to DisplayPort which has sometimes needed multiple unplug-replugs).

Did you ever wind up keeping this monitor?

I have the same monitor, using with an M1 MBP and have been really annoyed that it doesn't work great with the M1. Like you, I also prefer 3008x1692. I have found that if you install SwithcResX, then go to Current Resolutions and select 3008x1692 with 50Hz, the flickering is much less. It still isn't perfect, but it is better. I still see the vertical lines appear from time to time, but flickering is very rare at least.

 

[Fravin]

Holding option key in keyboard while clicking in the scale opetion will let you access any resolution possible. Just choose the right one.

 

[alex-vrnv]

Having all the same issues on Big Sur 11.4 but without vertical lines.
I'm also able to connect using DP - USB-C from some 6-8th try so that it doesn't blackout, however it breaks after I tweak any display setting.
And judging by multiple threads on macrumors it can be even worse with other external displays.

I've also tried tweaking dark stabilizer and other monitor settings to remove or at least reduce flickering, but nothing works for me in the end, or just makes colors look really bad.

 

[andershjorth]

Same issue here on setup:
MacBook Air M1 -> OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock -> mini-DP to DP (8K cable) -> Dell S3221QS 4k monitor

But when I connect to the monitor with HDMI -> HDMI to USB-C dongle, the screen doesn't have these intermittent screen blackouts ??

My kollege has the same monitor but running on a 2020 Intel Mac mini trough HDMI with no problem at all...

It seems to be related to the DisplayPort protocol...

 

[itsmeaustend]

Holding option key in keyboard while clicking in the scale opetion will let you access any resolution possible. Just choose the right one.

Good tip.

 

[pshufd]

I have a U2718Q (4k 27") and a Dell Ultrasharp QHD 25" and a new mini and ran into the wake from sleep problem. I am testing disabling Auto-Select to see if that fixes the wake from sleep problem. The problem is only with the 4K monitor and it's a USB-C to DisplayPort. The QHD is HDMI and doesn't have the problem.

The workaround worked when I initiated a manual sleep but I want to see if it works from a timeout sleep.

I have not seen the blackout issue or any flickering.

 

[fresh_green]

Does anyone know if these flickering problems still occur in 11.5 or Monterey previews?
Does it occur when connecting via HDMI-HDMI ?


This looks like a nice monitor on specs, but I'm not sure whether I should buy if there are so many compatibility problems.

 

[stutteringmime]

I'm having the same issue with my Mac Mini M1. I already had the Dell S3221QS and experienced no issues when it was hooked to my Windows machine. I've tried both the DisplayPort to USB-C cable, and HDMI to HDMI. Having issues with both. This is highly frustrating, and I like this 32" 4k monitor a lot. My experience with the Mac Mini M1 has been great so far except for this.

 

[uller6]

I've had similar issues with my work 2019 iMac 27" and a few different Dell displays. I've had issues with 24" 1080p displays and also the 4k Dell P2414Q. The worst was the black flickering after wake from sleep or a restart.

I did notice that the problems get MUCH worse when I have 2X dell displays connected to the iMac. If instead I have one Dell display and my old 24" Apple Cinema Display connected, it minimizes the issues to a [tolerable] few times a month.

I also swapped from a DisplayPort to USB-C cable and instead use a mini displayport -> mini displayport cable + Mini DisplayPort -> USB-C adaptor, which now works correctly without screen blackouts. I still sometimes have the strange screen flickering bug when scrolling on websites however. I think cable quality is important here too. The cables that come supplied with Dell monitors appear to be questionable, but I also have gotten a couple crummy displayport -> USB-C cables from amazon.

I suspect this is a combination of poor Apple display drivers, strange Dell firmware on their displays, and poor quality cables that degrade signal quality.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but for whatever reason, Windows handles multiple displays far better than Mac OS does.

 

[pshufd]

I've not had any problems with a variety of Macs and Windows systems with Dell Ultrasharp monitors. I've been buying them for a very long time and they get the job done for me.

 

[The_Interloper]

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but for whatever reason, Windows handles multiple displays far better than Mac OS does.

I agree. Pretty much every display I’ve ever hooked up to any Windows PC works flawlessly. Macs are very temperamental in comparison.

I have had three different Mac Mini M1 units and ALL of them have had various display issues from not waking the monitor up to blackouts and the weird flickering bug. This is with multiple different cables and over both USB-C -> DP and HDMI. I used to have similar issues with a Mac Pro trashcan, too.

I’m currently seeing the flickering problem on an LG 4K display and it just feels to me as if Apple doesn’t really care about displays other than their own. These issues really shouldn‘t be happening on monitors from the likes of LG and Dell - they are hardly obscure brands - and point to the issue laying squarely at Apple’s door.

 

[pshufd]

I agree. Pretty much every display I’ve ever hooked up to any Windows PC works flawlessly. Macs are very temperamental in comparison.

I have had three different Mac Mini M1 units and ALL of them have had various display issues from not waking the monitor up to blackouts and the weird flickering bug. This is with multiple different cables and over both USB-C -> DP and HDMI. I used to have similar issues with a Mac Pro trashcan, too.

I’m currently seeing the flickering problem on an LG 4K display and it just feels to me as if Apple doesn’t really care about displays other than their own. These issues really shouldn‘t be happening on monitors from the likes of LG and Dell - they are hardly obscure brands - and point to the issue laying squarely at Apple’s door.

One of the biggest complaints that I have with how Windows handles multiple displays is with Virtual Desktop where Windows treats all of your displays as one desktop as opposed to virtual desktop by monitor in macOS.

I have had display flickering or blackout and reset problems with Windows 10. The problem was due to a cable issue. My Windows desktop doesn't sleep - it doesn't sleep the system nor the monitors. Something I need to debug.

I had one Wake issue with my Mac mini and it was a monitor setting. Other than that, I haven't had any problems with a multitude of different monitors on Macs over the past 15 years.

 

[AnsonXeon]

It looks like I am late for the party of this screw-up.

I encounter most of issues all your guys mentioned. And I would said I tried almost all the methods most of the people are capable of. At the exact moment, I use an Anker 5-1 USB C hub <-> HDMI of the 32 inch Dell and HDMI to another 27 inch dell. I find out that this setup eliminates most of flickering issues. It is not perfect, because from time to time the flickering still present, but the constant blackout of the 32 inch are gone.

BTW, a brand new system without time machines involved did nothing to me. The same goes with 11.5 update. Getting a brand new monitor replacement of the same model did not help either.

At the same time, I am back and forth with Apple technical support more than a month now. There is a particular officer with my case at this moment. I appreciate their efforts but I would said I am far more knowledgeable than the people on the another end of the phone. They told me that Mac mini M1 only support one monitor and suggest me that getting the LG 5K monitor. Don't have much hope on their at this point, since most of suggestion coming from the "senior" engineer the past five weeks are just lazy advice and did nothing but wasting my 10 hours of my life. And when I ask for replacing the mac mini, they just said no.

I thought about messing around with the RGB display output or the display driver, but my logical mind told me that I should stay millions miles away from this rabbit hole since Apple would not paid me a cent for it.

BTW, both monitors work just fine with Ubuntu and window..........

Perhaps I should listen what other people said, stay away from the first gen of apple products.

 

[pshufd]

It looks like I am late for the party of this screw-up.

I encounter most of issues all your guys mentioned. And I would said I tried almost all the methods most of the people are capable of. At the exact moment, I use an Anker 5-1 USB C hub <-> HDMI of the 32 inch Dell and HDMI to another 27 inch dell. I find out that this setup eliminates most of flickering issues. It is not perfect, because from time to time the flickering still present, but the constant blackout of the 32 inch are gone.

BTW, a brand new system without time machines involved did nothing to me. The same goes with 11.5 update. Getting a brand new monitor replacement of the same model did not help either.

At the same time, I am back and forth with Apple technical support more than a month now. There are a particular case officer with my case at this moment. I appreciate their effort but I would said I am far more knowledgeable than the people on the another end of phone. They told me that Mac mini M1 only support one monitor and suggest me that getting the LG 5K monitor. Don't have much hope on their at this point, since most of suggestion coming from the "senior" engineer the past five weeks are just lazy advice and did nothing but wasting my 10 hours of my life. And when I ask for replacing the mac mini, they just said no.

At the same time, both monitors work just fine with Ubuntu and window..........

Perhaps I should listen what other people said, stay away from the first gen of apple products.

Have you tried Monterey Beta 3?

 

[AnsonXeon]

Have you tried Monterey Beta 3?

No. I brought products to increase my productivity, which means those products have to work for me.

At the moment, I felt like I am an lab rat for an half-finished products and the worst part is that I paid for the testing, not another way around.

 

[pshufd]

No. I brought products to increase my productivity, which means those products have to work for me.

At the moment, I felt like I am an lab rat for an half-finished products and the worst part is that I paid for the testing, not another way around.

I am on Mojave on my laptops as Catalina was unstable and I didn't want to worry about losing 32-bit programs. I played around with Big Sur but it had performance and UI issues for me. I usually test my environment on a new operating system before upgrading. That's SOP in big shops. I have tested my stuff on Monterey Dev Beta 2 and it works for my environment. There are noted bugs but they don't affect me. The major fix in Monterey, though, was UI performance problems.

All software has bugs. That's why you test a platform before adopting it.

 

[AnsonXeon]

I am on Mojave on my laptops as Catalina was unstable and I didn't want to worry about losing 32-bit programs. I played around with Big Sur but it had performance and UI issues for me. I usually test my environment on a new operating system before upgrading. That's SOP in big shops. I have tested my stuff on Monterey Dev Beta 2 and it works for my environment. There are noted bugs but they don't affect me. The major fix in Monterey, though, was UI performance problems.

All software has bugs. That's why you test a platform before adopting it.

I see what you are saying but my work value 247 stability rather than the latest design.

Because of this, I am forced to use my support-to-be retired trashcan mac.

 

[pshufd]

I see what you are saying but my work value 247 stability rather than the latest design.

Because of this, I am forced to use my support-to-be retired trashcan mac.

Everybody wants stability but you can't truly get it from anyplace which is why you have to test. Or get someone else to test. This is pervasive in electronics.

 

[harriska2]

They told me that Mac mini M1 only support one monitor and suggest me that getting the LG 5K monitor.

I am assuming you mean that Apple said the m1 mini only supports plugging in 1 monitor at a time.

 

[Amethyst1]

I am assuming you mean that Apple said the m1 mini only supports plugging in 1 monitor at a time.

You can run two monitors off the M1 mini's GPU. One via Thunderbolt/Displayport/USB-C, another via HDMI.

 

[borrowedladder]

Hello - another recent victim of this issue.

For me it's the same Dell S3221QS 4k monitor but with 2020 M1 Macbook Air.

Just to add a data point:

I purchased j5 create JCC153G (USB-C to 4K HDMI) and it connected and worked fine without the flicker with my M1 MBA, until:

• the flickering started when I created a new workspace in the new display.
• Whenever I zoom out to view all the desktops (the four-finger motion, whatever that's officially called) the vertical lines re-appear, and when I select a desktop it goes back to normal.
• BUT when I maximize one of the windows to create a switchable full-screen (my VS Code window) the flickering does not happen there.
• The flickering also seems to happen briefly whenever I move my windows around quickly...
• When I calibrated the color on my display, the flickering started for a small range of higher DXX too.

So far as long as I don't do those things above, this combination gives me a workable environment.

The idea to purchase that particular cable came from a reddit post for the 27" version of the monitor:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/k427bw
Just hoping this gives a hint to whoever is knowledgeable about the hardware.

 

[kToni73]

This is what I've found from Dell.

I really didn't think it would take me another extra 150€ on top of the Monitor just to use it properly ... Should have went with something else/more expensive to avoid this.

Tried a lot of stuff, ordering this adapter is the last resort. I will let you guys know how it goes.

 

[pshufd]

This is what I've found from Dell.

I really didn't think it would take me another extra 150€ on top of the Monitor just to use it properly ... Should have went with something else/more expensive to avoid this.

Tried a lot of stuff, ordering this adapter is the last resort. I will let you guys know how it goes.
View attachment 1904212

I'm looking for USB-C cables for my new MacBook Pro to go to a Dell 4k monitor and what I've been reading is that you have to get a cable made specifically for that purpose (as well as the USB-C moving data around). It seems that these cables should be somewhat limited in length and that they run about $40. I got one with one of my monitors which is supposed to work really well but I can't find it. I read a review on one of the pricier cables that said that the Apple cable didn't work for this purpose.

Good luck. I need a USB-C - USB-C cable to go from my MacBook Pro to the U2720Q.