MBP 2021 16" keeps waking up external LG display

[swissmacbookprouser]

Dear all,

I have recently purchased the 2021 16" MBP (M1 Pro) and an external 27" LG Display (27UL850-W). Unfortunately, the display/Mac combination is driving me crazy, as the display (connected via USB-C) keeps waking up every couple of minutes in the night for a couple of seconds to then go back to sleep.

This problem seems to be well known as I found several postings online of people reporting similar issues with M1-based Macs, but apparently nobody managed to find a solution.

Does anyone else here has a similar issue and has found a workable solution? Please do not post suggestions, such as using HDMI or any adapters. This display needs to work with a USB-C cable, full stop. That is why I purchased it and I don't want to use any other cables.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks so much!

 

[mciarlo]

I'm having the same issue and also looking for a fix. My workaround is to simply turn off the display.

 

[Juraj22]

Well, not sure if this is the cause, but you may want to disable "Wake for network access" and maybe Power nap.

 

[swissmacbookprouser]

Well, not sure if this is the cause, but you may want to disable "Wake for network access" and maybe Power nap.

Already done, does not fix the problem.

 

[tmoerel]

Already done, does not fix the problem.

Strange, I am using the same screen on the same machine and I never have it wake up. Would you mind sharing the settings on your screen. I can then compare them to mine and tell you the difference.

 

[MajorFubar]

Turn it off with its power switch like the good old days?

 

[swissmacbookprouser]

Strange, I am using the same screen on the same machine and I never have it wake up. Would you mind sharing the settings on your screen. I can then compare them to mine and tell you the difference.

 

[swissmacbookprouser]

Turn it off with its power switch like the good old days?

I don't want to. I have various peripheral devices (HDD, mouse, etc) connected to the monitor and I want this to work. I guess for a $3000 laptop and a $400 display I can expect them to work as intended without workarounds?

 

[Vermifuge]

I don't want to. I have various peripheral devices (HDD, mouse, etc) connected to the monitor and I want this to work. I guess for a $3000 laptop and a $400 display I can expect them to work as intended without workarounds?

might be one of those connected devices.

 

[swissmacbookprouser]

might be one of those connected devices.

No, same problem without these devices. I tried that

 

[tmoerel]

View attachment 1917123

I meant the settings on the screen itself. They might influence it too.

 

[MajorFubar]

One thing I quickly learned (from the experience of others) is don't use a monitor as a docking station.
Fundamentally I agree with you though, and I can understand your annoyance. I was just trying to think of an easy solution.

 

[haruhiko]

View attachment 1917123

Shouldn’t it be the energy setting?

Also I have the same freaking monitor as the WFH set up, but I didn’t recall any random wake up. Anyway I just turn the thing off when it’s not in use.

 

[swissmacbookprouser]

I meant the settings on the screen itself. They might influence it too.

Sure, please find them attached.

 

[tmoerel]

Sure, please find them attached.

It might have to do with the Smart Energy saving and the Automatic standby. Here are my settings. I let macOS handle my power saving as it is quite good at it. I wonder if your current settings causes clashes:

 

[swissmacbookprouser]

It might have to do with the Smart Energy saving and the Automatic standby. Here are my settings. I let macOS handle my power saving as it is quite good at it. I wonder if your current settings causes clashes:

Will try it with your settings, let's see.

Fingers crossed

 

[swissmacbookprouser]

Will try it with your settings, let's see.

Fingers crossed

did not work, the display just turned on roughly 30minutes after going to sleep and stayed in for like 10-15 seconds…

any more suggestion?

 

[tmoerel]

did not work, the display just turned on roughly 30minutes after going to sleep and stayed in for like 10-15 seconds…

any more suggestion?

Nope. Sorry. Mine does not do this ever.

 

[bloomberg]

Does it occur if there's no programs running? If you haven't tried, logout from all programs, close everything, reboot, then see happens.

 

[buyusfear]

Glad I’m not alone.

My workaround has been powering off the display. But there are 2 of them, and this first world problem is cramping my style.

 

[Fishrrman]

re "turning it off", the OP wrote:
"I don't want to. I have various peripheral devices (HDD, mouse, etc) connected to the monitor and I want this to work. I guess for a $3000 laptop and a $400 display I can expect them to work as intended without workarounds"

My prediction is:
Unless you decide to power-off the display, you may not be able to resolve the problem.

You have "the solution" in front of you, as stated by several posters above.
You can choose it, or not.
Choose wisely.

 

[jon4s]

I have been plagued by the same problem with my LG 34WK95U display. It's only been a couple of hours since I think I found a solution, so caveat emptor. With this out of the way, here goes:

1. In System Preferences -> Network, note how the display exposes a "USB modem" to macOS.

2. Inactivate it, using the context menu at the bottom of the list.

3. Click "Apply"

I'll follow up here re: whether this fix actually works long-term, but I wanted to share this idea early so that more people can give it a try, too.

BR.
Jonas

 

[loby]

Just curious...there is a firmware update for the monitor (depending where when you bought it). Bought mine in April 2020 and applied the firmware update about 6 months ago. Have not noticed any issues with it since. I use it on occasion for USB-C, so can totally say that will resolve it. Just an idea to check out LG's website to make sure your monitor is update. This is an older firmware update, but it sounds we need another one and hopefully LG will come through with it.

 

[useagle77]

Did anyone find a working solution for this? I had this issue with my previous (Dell) monitor, and now with LG.

 

[prospervic]

The may seem strange, but it could be your keyboard. I discovered that for some reason my Logitech MX Keys Max would wake up my display (LG UltraFine 5K) intermittently (from room vibration or a ghost typing? I don’t know). So I started turning off the keyboard at night when I’m done using the Mac. Problem solved.