Make sure to submit Feedback to Apple: https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/
The more reports, the more attention this issue gets.
The more reports, the more attention this issue gets.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
M1 Mac Mini Won't Wake Connected Displays, Some Owners Complain
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I hear you. It's frustrating as hell. However (for me personally), I'm on day 5 or so after upgrading to 11.3, and since then there still hasn't been any screen wake problems (which otherwise happened almost daily). I hope that it's a sign that Apple is slowly narrowing down the problem, and that the issue will be solved for good in 11.4.I did it... and the blank screen happened again just now
I've had this problem ever since I switched to a Mac mini M1 (which I Love by the way). It stopped after updating to 11.3, but after the 11.3.1 update it has come back. The most frustrating thing is that the computer is not even asleep!! I can remotely log in from my Macbook and do everything I want on it, except making it use the monotor that is connected to it. The only advantage is that this way I can safely reboot it via the menu. Apple, please fix this.
Apple won't read your request. Make sure to submit a bug report through the feedback assistant. The more reports, the more attention. https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/
Running 11.3.1 on Mac Mini M1 and the bug is still there. Not always, one week was ok but suddenly I had to hard reboot to get the display on. Even worse: A few days ago the machine was not sleeping but only display sleep and it did not wake up. This happened first time.
I have one and was experiencing the issue. Since updating to 11.3.1 it hasnt (probably 2 weeks). TBH it doesnt really cause much of a problem
After updating to 11.3, mine has connected to external display consistently – finally. A couple of weeks now.
My current issue is slightly different but haven't found a good solution. I did have the original issue but resolved it when I got a good powered hub and plugged my HDMI monitor into it. Now I can wake after sleep. BUT, if I reboot, the monitor won't wake up until the sequence is complete. That means I haven't been able to restart in recovery mode. I have an HP monitor and can't find any way to stop the display from going to sleep when I restart. Will never buy an HP monitor again. Are there any recommendations for other good M1 compatible monitors that you can keep from sleeping?
I've had my M1 Mini since January paired with a 34" Samsung Ultrawide display plugged in via HDMI to HDMI and every - single - time - I go to wake it (even not in sleep mode, just with the screen off) it does not appear and my Apple Watch will unlock the mini one time after another, usually about 4-5 times before it'll display and only because I'm hammering on the keyboard. So this seems to indicate the output is also cycling on and off since my watch is repeatedly unlocking the Mac.
I have this also connected via USB-C to a 2018 MacBook Pro and it has ZERO issues and wakes on demand every time. So this is absolutely a Mac Mini issue and it's very frustrating. Also had ZERO issues with my Late 2013 MacBook Pro connected via HDMI.
If the mini plus monitor wasn't so much cheaper than the M1 iMac (I paid $950 for the Mini + 34" screen vs $1,500 for the same 8 core cpu/gpu with ethernet iMac) I'd be selling it in a heartbeat, and still might. Multiple OS updates have not resolved the problem. 11.4 is no different than 11.0 for me, sadly.
I have this also connected via USB-C to a 2018 MacBook Pro and it has ZERO issues and wakes on demand every time. So this is absolutely a Mac Mini issue and it's very frustrating. Also had ZERO issues with my Late 2013 MacBook Pro connected via HDMI.
If the mini plus monitor wasn't so much cheaper than the M1 iMac (I paid $950 for the Mini + 34" screen vs $1,500 for the same 8 core cpu/gpu with ethernet iMac) I'd be selling it in a heartbeat, and still might. Multiple OS updates have not resolved the problem. 11.4 is no different than 11.0 for me, sadly.
I know this is an old thread now, but I thought I'd add my findings: When my main screen stops working (DisplayPort), having a terminal open on the other - reliable HDMI - screen allows me to use the command sudo shutdown -s now, wait 1-2 mins and then hit the keyboard - both screens start up properly then. This is the most reliable 'fix' I've found..
I have a intel i7 mini for a few years now. The dual monitor issue was terrible for me at 10.14.0 but apple eventually cured it with 10.14.6. Yes, I tried umpteem combinations of hdmi, thunderbolt cables and different monitors, all to no avail.
yes, apple replaced my motherboard for free while under warranty, but the new motherboard still had the issues (albeit less severe / less often than the original motherboard)
Now, the monitor turning itself off problems have reappeared with 11,0 and are getting worse with 11.4. my second monitor randomly blinks out for 5 seconds, about once per hour. About once every week, my first monitor won’t wake up after a long sleep (Multi day sleep)
there is something internally wrong with the mini bus, seems to apply both to intel and m1 minis. Apple does not advertise the problem… macrumor could suggest that the mini is not reliable for dual monitor use due to internal hardware bad design. I run parallels / windows 10 everyday, so a m1 Mac (iMac or laptop) is no answer.
yes, apple replaced my motherboard for free while under warranty, but the new motherboard still had the issues (albeit less severe / less often than the original motherboard)
Now, the monitor turning itself off problems have reappeared with 11,0 and are getting worse with 11.4. my second monitor randomly blinks out for 5 seconds, about once per hour. About once every week, my first monitor won’t wake up after a long sleep (Multi day sleep)
there is something internally wrong with the mini bus, seems to apply both to intel and m1 minis. Apple does not advertise the problem… macrumor could suggest that the mini is not reliable for dual monitor use due to internal hardware bad design. I run parallels / windows 10 everyday, so a m1 Mac (iMac or laptop) is no answer.
Don’t buy a mini if you plan to have dual monitors. This problem has gone in for years and apple cannot get this fixed. At 11,4, my mini monitors randomly fail about 10 times per day for 5 seconds…. Sometimes won’t wake up at all after sleep.
All, after search the internet and attempting a lot of different options, I found that the following things helped me to resolve my Mac Mini's inability to consistently wake up my monitor using an HDMI cable after going into sleep mode:
1. Allowing my Mac Mini to wake up via a Bluetooth connection with my Apple Watch allowed it to skip the log in screen where it would get stuck most of the time (Click the setting under System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General (Tab) > "Use Your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac".
2. Updating my HDMI cable to one that supports up to date HDMI protocols eliminated my issue fully. I guess my older HDMI cable would work "just enough" to allow me to use it but did not consistently complete the monitor hand-shaking initiation communications well enough to wake up my 28" Samsung 4k monitor every time.
For reference, I am using a 2020 M1 Mac Mini, 16Gb RAM, 1Tb HD. I bought the Rocketfish HDMI cable from Best Buy (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rocket...ated-hdmi-cable-black/3720011.p?skuId=3720011). For me, the $39.99 price tag was a much smaller price to pay than the daily anguish of rebooting my Mac Mini.
I hope this helps someone as reading many posts from others ultimately helped me. Cheers!
1. Allowing my Mac Mini to wake up via a Bluetooth connection with my Apple Watch allowed it to skip the log in screen where it would get stuck most of the time (Click the setting under System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General (Tab) > "Use Your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac".
2. Updating my HDMI cable to one that supports up to date HDMI protocols eliminated my issue fully. I guess my older HDMI cable would work "just enough" to allow me to use it but did not consistently complete the monitor hand-shaking initiation communications well enough to wake up my 28" Samsung 4k monitor every time.
For reference, I am using a 2020 M1 Mac Mini, 16Gb RAM, 1Tb HD. I bought the Rocketfish HDMI cable from Best Buy (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rocket...ated-hdmi-cable-black/3720011.p?skuId=3720011). For me, the $39.99 price tag was a much smaller price to pay than the daily anguish of rebooting my Mac Mini.
I hope this helps someone as reading many posts from others ultimately helped me. Cheers!
What cable did you use previously? The one that came with monitor? I used the HDMI cable that came with my LG display, assuming it would be most compatible. Every time you turn it on, there is a (configurable) warning telling you to only use the cables that came with the display. Yet, my 2018 has been plagued with sleep/wake issues. Its fine as long as I never let it sleep.
I was previously using a very old PCT (off-brand) HDMI cable that I found lying around in a junk drawer. I am guessing that it is about 10 years old (if not older). https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Speed-Ethernet-E467980-SS-RvLoversOutdoorDreamers/dp/B07GYPB3GD
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.