Some Users Having External Display Connection Issues With macOS Big Sur 11.1 and 11.2

[limton]

i have not read all the posts. so forgive me if this has been discussed somewhere.

i am using M1 MBA and LG 32UN880 via usbC, after the update, the macbook air does not recognise the monitor (not showing anything and not charging) and everything that is plugged to the monitor (usb light and usb webcam). i tried restarting the monitor and macbook but nothing happened.

I then tried to reset the monitor to its initial settings via the monitor menu and everything is back to normal. Hope this helps.

 

[philipjbreuer]

Some macOS Big Sur users who are running the 11.1 and recently released 11.2 update have been experiencing ongoing issues with external displays, based on multiple reports on the MacRumors forum, Apple Support Communities, Twitter, and Reddit.

There are at least two separate issues at play, but both are related to external display connections. The problems appear to have started with the macOS Big Sur 11.1 update, and the 11.2 update has not provided a fix and in some cases, has worsened the issue.

The first issue causes USB-C ports to fail to recognize external monitors, rendering external displays unusable and unable to connect. This appears to be affecting both DisplayPort and HDMI displays connected directly and through hubs and adapters.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1356969796361981953

We saw this issue firsthand after upgrading a MacBook Pro to macOS Big Sur 11.2, with the update preventing an external monitor from connecting with USB-C, and there are several other complaints from affected users. From Reddit:The second issue results in resolution issues with external displays unable to work at a full 4K 60Hz resolution, instead locked at 30Hz. In some cases, a 4K monitor is only recognized as a 1080p monitor.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1356635705670254599

It appears that many of those affected with display issues have a 16-inch MacBook Pro, but there are also reports of other Macs with the same connectivity problems. There does not appear to be a reliable, widespread and tested fix or workaround at this time.

Mac users did not experience these problems in the initial release of macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, and it appears that the macOS Big Sur 11.3 update released yesterday also does not address the problem, but there is still some time for Apple to work in a fix before the 11.3 software sees a public release.

Article Link: Some Users Having External Display Connection Issues With macOS Big Sur 11.1 and 11.2

I had this problem when I upgraded to 11.2.2 on MacBook Pro. Apple support suggested an NVRAM reset. It worked.

Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

If one or more settings stored in NVRAM don't work as expected on an Intel-based Mac, resetting NVRAM might help.

support.apple.com

 

[mash2live]

Ok so my monitor has been waking normally from sleep ever since I installed 11.2.2. I think it's been fixed, at least for me on my 2020 MBP (Intel) and Asus ProArt monitor.

 

[mxcl]

Since updating to 11.2.2 the issue is much worse for me, twofold:

1. Screen goes off, then on, then off, then on every 10-20 minutes. Sometimes stays off requiring pulling the monitor plug.
2. Every time, (literally every time) I return to the machine it has crashed and rebooted. I have entered some spicy comments in the “report to Apple” field I tell you.

M1 Mac mini with LG Ultrafine.

Before the update 1. was maybe every few hours and 2. didn't happen barely at all.

 

[mash2live]

Since updating to 11.2.2 the issue is much worse for me, twofold:

1. Screen goes off, then on, then off, then on every 10-20 minutes. Sometimes stays off requiring pulling the monitor plug.
2. Every time, (literally every time) I return to the machine it has crashed and rebooted. I have entered some spicy comments in the “report to Apple” field I tell you.

M1 Mac mini with LG Ultrafine.

Before the update 1. was maybe every few hours and 2. didn't happen barely at all.

What connection type are you using? I'm using a USB-C to DisplayPort cable running directly from my MBP to my monitor.

 

[fumi2014]

Is anyone still having issues?
on 11.2.2 this isn’t happening every day as it was before but it is still happening enough to be a problem.

 

[Otaviano]

Is anyone still having issues?
on 11.2.2 this isn’t happening every day as it was before but it is still happening enough to be a problem.

Yeah I still having problems

MacBook Pro 16" (2019)
Big Sur 11.2.3
Eizo S2410W Monitor (DVI to USB-C cable)

Monitor turns on for a 10 seconds and then turns off. After the first time where it can remain on for 10 to 20 seconds it will begin turn on and off very quickly.

The same monitor and cable works on all my colleagues computers without problems.

 

[Skb3735]

Since updating to 11.2.2 the issue is much worse for me, twofold:

1. Screen goes off, then on, then off, then on every 10-20 minutes. Sometimes stays off requiring pulling the monitor plug.
2. Every time, (literally every time) I return to the machine it has crashed and rebooted. I have entered some spicy comments in the “report to Apple” field I tell you.

M1 Mac mini with LG Ultrafine.

Before the update 1. was maybe every few hours and 2. didn't happen barely at all.

same exact issue here

 

[fumi2014]

11.2.3 no change. Still the same problem. Twice in five days. I don't think this is ever going to be fixed.

 

[Lepopon Mac]

Same issue with MacBook Pro (13 inch, 2020, four ports Thunderbolt 3) running 11.2.2 (same problem with previous version, before upgrade it worked). Display is working, keyboard connected to Apple Thrunderbolt display sometimes not, webcam do not switch on anymore (but sometimes yes). Apple Thunderbolt Display connected with genuine cable and apple connector (not exotic hardware so). In order to check I orderer a brand new thunderbolt cable ordered with Apple...same no change. I tried with my previous Macbook pro on Catalina DOES works perfectly well : display, keyboard, webcam OK. Apple please correct this...we are working from home we need our displays/keyboards/webcams...

 

[Fenderman32]

I have a Mac mini M1 (16gb) with a Belkin USB C to HDMI with two HP 27FW monitors. Big Sur Version 11.2.3 and a USB3 hub.

I found that if I disconnected my external USB HUB and shutdown my Mac and started back up, my second display came back to life. I then reconnected the USB HUB and the hub and the second monitor worked.

 

[shutterfreak]

Unfortunately macOS 11.2.3 (20D91) did not solve the problem for me.

I have been experimenting with plugging and unplugging the power adapter cable and the display cable (both attached to the right hand side of my MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019). The external display is a BenQ EW3270U capable of 4K.

I work from home for 1 year now, and my machine remains "permanently" attached to the power cable and the external display (USB-C cable) at the right-hand side of the MBP.

I have the impression that sometimes the OS fails at recognising the external display, reverting to a "safe" mode (often 1080p @ 30Hz but sometimes even a much lower resolution). Looking at the display preferences was not very helpful so I decided to look at the system report to detect changes while experimenting with the cabling and powering.

Today my MBP had a free boot-up from powered-down, but still attached to the power adapter and the external display (as usual when working from home). It booted up and showed 1080p resolution @ 30Hz instead the expected 4K @ 60Hz:

Then I removed the power cable. No changes were reported.

Then I detached the external display cable. This triggered a switch to the Intel graphics adapter:

Then, while still unpowered, I reattached the external display. The resolution remained unchanged at 1080p but the refresh rate doubled from 30Hz to 60Hz:

I decided to reboot (with display cable attached, but not connected to power), but I still only got 1080p resolution.

Then I reset PRAM and rebooted (still unpowered) and the display resolution of the external display was again correctly identified. I hd of course to reconfigure the display settings, but at least I again had a 4K monitor:

I suspect that there's something wrong with a redesigned driver in Big Sur that fails to correctly detect all graphics and power events. I provided this info to Apple through the Feedback Assistant, and hopefully we'll see a fix soon.

 

[Macdog59]

I have just purchased a M1 Mac Mini and need to buy a new monitor to use with it. I would like to get a 32” size. Does anyone know of a monitor of this size that will work well with this? Thanks!

 

[fumi2014]

@shutterfreak Thanks for doing all the investigative work. That should really be Apple's job. There surely must be enough people now with this problem. For my own part, it seemed to happen less often with 11.2.2 but now it seems back with a vengeance on 11.2.3 Almost everyday, I have this problem again.

What saddens me is that this probably won't ever get fixed. It would need tens of thousands of people reporting it before Apple would focus their energies on fixing it. I, along with others on here have reported it but that's probably not enough. Still, hope springs eternal.

 

[mash2live]

@shutterfreak Thanks for doing all the investigative work. That should really be Apple's job. There surely must be enough people now with this problem. For my own part, it seemed to happen less often with 11.2.2 but now it seems back with a vengeance on 11.2.3 Almost everyday, I have this problem again.

What saddens me is that this probably won't ever get fixed. It would need tens of thousands of people reporting it before Apple would focus their energies on fixing it. I, along with others on here have reported it but that's probably not enough. Still, hope springs eternal.

For me, my monitor wakes all the time on 11.2.2. The problem I have now is my bluetooth keyboard doesn't always work upon waking the monitor/MBP. Not sure if this is a problem with that specific keyboard or just another bug with macOS. My 2020 MBP is my first Mac ever and it may be my last due to the poor compatibility with external accessories.

 

[fumi2014]

I've now have the Bluetooth problem too. Never had it until yesterday. When waking the Mac mini, either the Magic Keyboard or Magic Trackpad has to be switched off and then on again. This has happened two days in a row.

What is really infuriating is that 11.2.3 didn't fix my long-standing monitor issues and now this new issue has been added. I'm beginning to wonder what I paid over a thousand dollars for.

 

[Kostaras]

I just purchased a MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and I tried to connect my type-c to HDMI cable to my LG TV, but nothing happens.

macOS Big Sur
Version 11.2.3

My 2011 MacBook Pro had its issues, but displayPort to HDMI worked just fine. I hope they will soon fix this!

 

[JB97031]

I'm also having issues running a brand new pair of 4K monitors - BenQ SW321C. System: Late 2013 Mac Pro with AMD FirePro D500 3 GB. #1 monitor is display port to Thunderbolt 2. #2 monitor is display port to HDMI. OS - Big Sur
11.2.3

Problems: When the computer goes to sleep for any length of time, #2 monitor is the only one that wakes up. Sometimes I can get #1 monitor to wake up by just restarting the computer. Other times I have to go through the process of unplugging all peripheral drives and resetting SMC and PRAM. If I don't unplug the drives, nothing changes.

I did not have these issues running a pair of 30" Apple Cinema Displays with Big Sur. According to Apple, I can run up to three 4K monitors on my system.

This is SO frustrating. I have spoken with techs from BenQ and the Genius Bar and have been told that this isn't just an issue with BenQ but perhaps with all 4K monitors that are running Big Sur 11.2.3 I have also been told that Apple knows it is an issue with their M1 chips. It is the first time in 30 years of being an Apple owner and loyal fan that I've wanted to swear at Apple instead of by them.

 

[JB97031]

I've now have the Bluetooth problem too. Never had it until yesterday. When waking the Mac mini, either the Magic Keyboard or Magic Trackpad has to be switched off and then on again. This has happened two days in a row.

What is really infuriating is that 11.2.3 didn't fix my long-standing monitor issues and now this new issue has been added. I'm beginning to wonder what I paid over a thousand dollars for.

You aren't alone here. I have similar issues with my MagicTrackpad and Logitech keyboard.

 

[d.o.p.]

I've now have the Bluetooth problem too. Never had it until yesterday. When waking the Mac mini, either the Magic Keyboard or Magic Trackpad has to be switched off and then on again. This has happened two days in a row.

What is really infuriating is that 11.2.3 didn't fix my long-standing monitor issues and now this new issue has been added. I'm beginning to wonder what I paid over a thousand dollars for.

Try this..

 

[ninjamoby]

Apple replaced my M1 Air's Logic Board and Touch ID button to resolve this issue.

However, I think what may have resolved the issue is that they only installed 11.0.1.

I'm wary to upgrade if the HDMI issue returns once go to 11.2.3.

 

[Zebedee1968]

Same problem here. I have a 2020 16" MacBook Pro connected via a Plugable TBT3-UDZ Thunderbolt dock to a collection of external drives and a LG 4K monitor. This setup worked just fine with Catalina. Recently (after the 11.2.3 update), I noticed that the system became unstable and even completely unusable with the external monitor connected. The sleep/wake function is a nightmare, causing external drives to randomly disconnect and the complete trashing of my Time Machine backup disk, which had to be completely reformatted. The net result has been continual testing of more and more restrictive measures to reduce CPU utilisation, disabling features in the operating system that ought to work out of the box for a high spec laptop.

Cutting to the chase, I disconnected my external monitor and saw the CPU utilisation drop from around 75-95% down to around 3-5%. Reconnecting the monitor drives the CPU utilisation right back up over 70% instantly. Frankly, after trying this with multiple USB-C/Thunderbolt dongles and docks, I have come to the conclusion that the operating system is clearly at fault. As a web designer/developer, this makes my life miserable because I need the large monitor to develop and test properly. This becomes rather more difficult when confined to the built-in laptop screen.

Fortunately, the LG monitor I have can be connected via HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C. Connecting via USB-C directly to the MacBook appears to be a satisfactory workaround, with CPU utilisation below the 5-10% mark most of the time. The HDMI/DisplayPort options via the Plugable dock are simply not viable until Apple fixes the bug.

I really hope Apple issues a fix for this because there are loads of people crying out for it.

 

[ninjamoby]

I can confirm that a direct USB-C connecting the MBA to a monitor is problem free, but HDMI via USB-C hub / dock issues persist even after a new logic board and re-install.

How can this be escalated as I suspect there are tens of thousands of users impacted?

 

[panr]

I can confirm that a direct USB-C connecting the MBA to a monitor is problem free

Nah. I'm using LG monitor with USB-C cable and monitor disconnects after 30sec each time I wake up MBA. After that, works well, but this "restart" makes me crazy when I need to quickly switch to the MBA...

 

[Zebedee1968]

After trying a few things, including resetting NVRAM, direct USB-C connection to the monitor, downgrading to 11.1 and a host of other troubleshooting measures, I am no closer to solving this. It flat out doesn't work. As soon as I connect any external monitor cable, either direct or via the hub, the WindowServer process goes through the roof and chews up almost all CPU resources. It's completely useless even bothering to try using the external monitor now. It is incredibly frustrating!