Mac Mini M4 - Random HDMI Blackouts

[ChpTrk]

I, along with a surprisingly large number of other M4 users, are tracking an issue in the Apple Community with seemingly random 2-4 second blackouts on monitors connected via HDMI to the Mac Mini M4. I wanted to see if anyone in the MacRumors community was experiencing the same and if they've found any potential causes or solutions. Any tips?

 

[PaulD-UK]

Static electricity?

 

[MacCheetah3]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/weirdness-with-4k-monitor-and-m4-pro-mac-mini.2446231/

 

[haralds]

After testing three high-quality 4K cables on my m4 mini Pro, I purchased an Anker 8K HDMI cable. It solved the issue with my Dell U3818DW. I prefer to use the Thunderbolt USB-C port for other things.

 

[MacCheetah3]

After testing three high-quality 4K cables on my m4 mini Pro, I purchased an Anker 8K HDMI cable. It solved the issue with my Dell U3818W. I prefer to use the Thunderbolt USB-C port for other things.

Indeed, at least some of us have resolved the problem with a high(er) quality/capability cable.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

Same problem here for the last 3 years or so with my Dell PC, Nvidia card, and Asus monitor from 2020, linked via Display Port cable. Never had this issue before. The three are good midrange devices from reliable brands, so I guess they're not the issue. Maybe the cable? I don't remember whether it came with the PC or was purchased online, but I suspect the latter. I've often read it's useless to splurge on a "high-end" cable (Monster, etc.), so I probably bought a cheap one and that's what I get.
That said, if you have an issue with an Apple cable, which I consider high-end, then it's either not a cable issue or Apple has had production defects.

 

[Che Castro]

Been using hdmi with a tv and don’t have these problems , using 2.1 hdmi monoprice slim cable

 

[Bazza1]

Issue with my M2 (and reports of earlier) as well. initially resolved by using USB-C out to monitor (Acer here), but eventually found a HDMI cable that worked. Seems very hit-and-miss, which suggests to me that Apple hasn't really got a grasp on HDMI output on their computers.