Mac Mini M4 - Random HDMI Blackouts

[Mr.Ben]

I have same issue on a Mac Mini M2 running Sequoia. I'm using a JuicEBitz 4k rated 2.0 cable and have been debating whether I should try the new cable suggestions and go with an 8k 2.1 HDMI, but sounds like there's no guarantee it will make any difference... Hmmm. May have to just buy one and see what happens. 🫤

I've since purchased two Anker cables. An HDMI to HDMI (2.1 / 8k) plus a Thunderbolt/USB-C to HDMI (2.0 / 4k).

The 2.1 HDMI did a blackout within 15 minutes of using... A shame as I thought it provided a noticeably nicer looking display, with colours seeming to pop more.

I'm currently using the Thunderbolt to HDMI 2.0. This also hasn't stopped the blackouts entirely, but they are far less frequent - so much so that at first I thought it had fixed the problem.

 

[rb2112]

M3 Studio, problems with black pauses with mac HDMI to monitor HDMI, and mac TB5 to monitor HDMI. Multiple cables tried with each one, still had blackouts. Now the connection is mac TB5 to monitor DisplayPort, blackouts are gone.

 

[bapegg]

It's definitely n issue with HDMI as it affects MACs and Windows PCs.

Though HDMI to Thunderbolt 3/4 has less issues overall. Two of my monitors use HDMI to Thunderbolt cables, they rarely black out. The third monitor with a HDMI to HDMI cable will black out a few times per day. The same with the HDMI to Display Port cables on my Dell OptiPlex running W11.

We have been seeing this with 2018 Mini's through M4 Mini's, Mac Studios and W11 computers.

 

[LeeW]

I get this on my M4, but then, I was getting it with older devices as well, been happening for years with me.

 

[bapegg]

I get this on my M4, but then, I was getting it with older devices as well, been happening for years with me.

This issues seems to have started with the 2018 Mac mini as far as apple products go.

 

[Mikey86uk]

I also have this with my M4 Mac mini and LG Ultragear 4K Monitor. Using a UGREEN HDMI 2.1 cable.

But I swear it only started happening around a month or so ago!

 

[UncleElihu]

There were occasional blackouts with my M4 Mini and Lenovo L28U-30 monitor using a HDMI cable.
I purchased a Cable Matters 201036-BLK-1.8m USB-C to DisplayPort cable in hopes of eliminating the blackouts, but switching to that cable actually INCREASED the blackouts.
Went back to the HDMI cable.

 

[bapegg]

There were occasional blackouts with my M4 Mini and Lenovo L28U-30 monitor using a HDMI cable.
I purchased a Cable Matters 201036-BLK-1.8m USB-C to DisplayPort cable in hopes of eliminating the blackouts, but switching to that cable actually INCREASED the blackouts.
Went back to the HDMI cable.

That's surprising. On my Mac mini, I run two monitors with HDMI -USBc cables and the third with a HDMI-HDMI cable. Only the monitor with HDMI-HDMI blacks out but it doesn't happen very often. This is with 24" HP and Acer monitors.

I am running three Dell monitors with HDMI-Display Port cables on my Dell Optiplex 7010 Micro and I get at least on screen that will black out a few times per day. And all three monitors will do it.

I have a mixture of Cable Matters and Benfei cables.

 

[th0masp]

There were occasional blackouts with my M4 Mini and Lenovo L28U-30 monitor using a HDMI cable.
I purchased a Cable Matters 201036-BLK-1.8m USB-C to DisplayPort cable in hopes of eliminating the blackouts, but switching to that cable actually INCREASED the blackouts.
Went back to the HDMI cable.

Crazy stuff.
I have not seen a single blackout since switching to that kind of cable well over a month ago.

Anyway I wouldn't find that behaviour tolerable at all. Not a single computer I've ever used all the way back to the Commodore 64 has shown me this kind of thing.

 

[bapegg]

One of the bigger complaints about the 2018 Mac mini is the screen blacking out when using the HDMI port. And it's still happening with the M4 Mac mini.

 

[UncleElihu]

That's surprising. On my Mac mini, I run two monitors with HDMI -USBc cables and the third with a HDMI-HDMI cable. Only the monitor with HDMI-HDMI blacks out but it doesn't happen very often. This is with 24" HP and Acer monitors.

I am running three Dell monitors with HDMI-Display Port cables on my Dell Optiplex 7010 Micro and I get at least on screen that will black out a few times per day. And all three monitors will do it.

I have a mixture of Cable Matters and Benfei cables.

Maybe that's the excuse I need to buy a new monitor😉

One possible issue: The Cable Matters cable I bought is USB-C, NOT Thunderbolt. I missed that little detail when I bought the cable.

I'll study this a bit more before taking further action. The HDMI cable has worked pretty well, but not perfect regarding the blackouts.

 

[bapegg]

One possible issue: The Cable Matters cable I bought is USB-C, NOT Thunderbolt. I missed that little detail when I bought the cable.

Double check the specs on your cables. All of the Cable Matters HDMI to USB C cables I found on Amazon state that they are also Thunderbolt 3/4 compatible.

 

[Snow4maen]

I'm not currently on my old Mac Mini, but I remember, and this is just my experience, would be interested to see if others have found the same. I started using an ASUS ProArt display, and this is all a while ago now. But both with the Mac Mini and my PC, NO blackouts. I have no good idea why? But I wonder if I am the only one? My cable is not 'cheap' but not expensive either, just not the cheapest. Also I was, and am connected via the HDMI port.

 

[UncleElihu]

I have been using the Anker Nano USB-C to HDMI Cable, Model A87E0 for the past 5 days and had NO blackouts.

So far, so good!

 

[ivnj]

I never had any blackouts.

 

[Alameda]

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.

Resolutions are much higher these days. It’s almost certainly the cable.

 

[bapegg]

Resolutions are much higher these days. It’s almost certainly the cable.

I bought quality cables and I still get the occasional blackout with lower resolution monitors. I run 24" 1920x1080 on my Dell and Mac mini. And it doesn't matter if the refresh rate is set to 60 Hz or 100 Hz.

I was running older HP monitors with the Mac and Acer monitors with the Dell. I caught some 24" Dell monitors on sale so I use them with the Dell Optiplex and moved the Acer monitors over to the Mac mini.

I have no issues with the monitors connected with HDMI - USBc cables. It is ones using HDMI-HDMI and HDMI-Display Port cables that blackout.

 

[LionTeeth]

Resolutions are much higher these days. It’s almost certainly the cable.

No they're not? Unless you have a specialty 5-6K display, almost everything has been 4K since like 2013.

 

[DeepSix]

Has anyone tried using an HDMI extender/booster? I'm using one right now that I bought off Amazon for $30 and so far no more blackouts.