New MacBook Pro 2018 doesn't wake old LG225W monitor from sleep

[GrakoGames]

Since I've gotten myself a new MBP with USB-C ports and some cheap VGA to USB-C adapter I no longer have my monitor woken up as I wake up my MBP from sleep (either with open or closed lid – using BT keyboard). I need to plug and unplug the monitor to have it detected by my MBP. What's interesting is that I can do the plug-unplug sequence even when the MBP is asleep and the monitor WILL wake up next time I'll wake the MBP! So it seems like it's a software issue – like the MBP 'forgets' about the monitor when MBP goes to sleep, but If I 'remind him' about the monitor during the sleep (plug-unplug), he'll 'have him on mind' when waking up.

The monitor used to wake up with my elder MBP 2012 with USB-A ports and VGA to MiniDisplay Port adapter, so I'm wondering if it's the case of the new MBP or cheap VGA to USB-C adapter.

I'd rather not spend $69 for an Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter just to realize it's not the case of the adapter.

BTW: The LG Screen Manager is not supported with my old monitor.

Can anyone please confirm he's got some old VGA monitor being successfully woken up with the new MBP's USB-C ports? ...and cheap adapters

 

[Glenny2lappies]

Not sure it's the same as you, but I've been suffering this *intermittent* problem where I connect the 16" to an Apple Cinema display (have one at home, one in the office) and it sometimes fails to wake the display.

It's a right pain in the derriere; the only workaround is to sleep the 16" (i.e. use the mouse to do Apple > Sleep), wait 30 seconds and unlock again. Most of the time it'll wake the monitor.

The really bloody annoying issue is I've my time machine backup discs plugged in to the display, so I can't just unplug it. Because Apple deemed to only have 4 ports on the thing I dislike the idea of plugging the discs directly into the mac (although have to sometimes when there's hundreds of gigs to backup).

Anyway: Apple - your Catalina software sucks like a hoover. It's damn unreliable and is full of irritating bugs that one expects from those Microsoft twonks, but we expect much higher standards from Apple.

/rant.

 

[Psyclism]

Not sure it's the same as you, but I've been suffering this *intermittent* problem where I connect the 16" to an Apple Cinema display (have one at home, one in the office) and it sometimes fails to wake the display.

It's a right pain in the derriere; the only workaround is to sleep the 16" (i.e. use the mouse to do Apple > Sleep), wait 30 seconds and unlock again. Most of the time it'll wake the monitor.

The really bloody annoying issue is I've my time machine backup discs plugged in to the display, so I can't just unplug it. Because Apple deemed to only have 4 ports on the thing I dislike the idea of plugging the discs directly into the mac (although have to sometimes when there's hundreds of gigs to backup).

Anyway: Apple - your Catalina software sucks like a hoover. It's damn unreliable and is full of irritating bugs that one expects from those Microsoft twonks, but we expect much higher standards from Apple.

/rant.

Having the same issue. I've found that going into Displays -> Arrangement and selecting then de-selecting Mirror Displays forced the Cinema Display to wake up. It's still a royal PITA, but better than sleeping the computer and *hoping* a subsequent wake makes the display come back to life.

 

[Glenny2lappies]

I'll give that a whirl later today when it pulls this stunt again.

Pleased to know I'm not alone. Well, not pleased with Apple.

 

[GrakoGames]

Thank you both for sharing your thoughts. Can you please tell if you're using VGA to USB-C adapters as well? If so, do you use Apple or 3rd party ones?

BTW: I'm on Mojave. I wonder if they've fixed it on Catalina.

 

[Glenny2lappies]

@Psyclism - thanks for your tip; much faster and more reliable than having to sleep and 'maybe' wake the monitor.

@GrakoGames - we're both using the Apple Cinema Display. I'm using mine on a 16" MBP with an official Apple USB-C to Thunderbolt adapter.

One really important thing is for the MBP 16 to use an external monitor it needs to be running the high-performance graphics card (Preferences > Power). When messing around connecting the MBP to the 4K telly the other night (to see if my underwater videos worked) I was using a generic HDMI adapter which the MBP 16 was a bit fussy about. Only when I manually changed it to the high-perf graphics card did it work with the telly. And the 4k videos look soooo much better on a telly than the lappie or cinema display.

The 16 won't work with Mojave - which I would gladly upgrade to from Catalina as it's way less buggy.

I've had variable results with adapters with previous Macs. Seems the Mac prefers more expensive adapters Some of the cheapo Chinese (other cheapo countries are available) adapters are a waste of money; they spend it on the photos!

The Apple adapters do work well, keep an eye out on Amazon (other stores, etc.) for alternative adapters at a much lower price, but carefully read the reviews scanning for people with problems with Macs.

 

[Psyclism]

Thank you both for sharing your thoughts. Can you please tell if you're using VGA to USB-C adapters as well? If so, do you use Apple or 3rd party ones?

BTW: I'm on Mojave. I wonder if they've fixed it on Catalina.

I'm using a TS3+ Thunderbolt 3 dock with a DisplayPort to mini Display Port adapter. I've also tried using a usb-c to mdp adapter plugged directly into the laptop and get the same behavior.

 

[Glenny2lappies]

Really irritating bug. Now happens a couple of times a day.

Yeah, I should work harder and not walk away...

 

[GrakoGames]

PROBLEM SOLVED

It was too annoying for me not to try an original Apple adapter, so I've just gotten myself a pre-owned one for half a price and now the VGA monitor wakes up!

About your case: how about checking with newer versions of macOS (eventually 'downgrading' back with backup disk)? I believe bugs are more likely fixed in newer versions of macOS.