Studio display "flashes" on wake-up

[A.J. Hamler]

I have an M1 Mac Studio and a Studio Display. (And love it!)

Beginning a couple weeks ago, it sometimes "flashes" when it wakes up from me being away for a while. It's not a flickering, but a single bright flash -- like a camera flash - that lasts a split second before the display normalizes. Nothing else appears amiss.

Just one moment it's sleeping, I move the mouse or touch a key to wake it up, then FLASH, and then normal from that point forward. It does this about a third of the time upon wake-up; other times it wakes up normal.

Anyone have any thoughts on why it's doing this? If it's something normal or not harmful (or, worse, an indicator that something is going to die) then it's just an annoying little tic. But if it's a sign of something wrong...

Thanks in advance.

A.J.

 

[G46&Fbnth5]

It happens to me with Studio Display and MacBook Pro, but only the first time I wake up the Mac after connecting the thunderbolt cable; if I put to sleep the Mac and leave the cable connected, it doesn’t occur.

Since I also experienced this thing at an Apple Store, I assumed it is a bug. Moreover, when it happens the brightness bar in Control Center goes to maximum - although the actual brightness doesn’t change - and stays there until I manually change the brightness (or the display automatically changes it thanks to the sensors).

 

[tstafford]

Studio w/ multiple ASDs, running for months w/o being disconnected and I've never seen that happen. Doesn't sound normal to me. Curious to see other posts.

 

[G46&Fbnth5]

It happens to me with Studio Display and MacBook Pro, but only the first time I wake up the Mac after connecting the thunderbolt cable; if I put to sleep the Mac and leave the cable connected, it doesn’t occur.

Since I also experienced this thing at an Apple Store, I assumed it is a bug. Moreover, when it happens the brightness bar in Control Center goes to maximum - although the actual brightness doesn’t change - and stays there until I manually change the brightness (or the display automatically changes it thanks to the sensors).

Here's a short video of what happens. The screen flashes at the very beginning.

 

[xraydoc]

Interesting. This isn't something I've seen. I've got two ASDs connected to my M1 Pro 14" MBP, both through a Caldigit TS4 dock and a single TB4 cable running to the Macbook.

One thing that might differ, however, is my MBP is set to not go to sleep. The displays do, but the computer itself doesn't sleep when connected to power (so my email filters and some other items continue to run while docked at my desk).

 

[Phil A.]

I’ve not seen this at all with mine (plugged in to a 16” MBP): it’s normally left plugged in and wakes from there but I also use it away from the monitor several times a week and then reconnect it while it’s asleep

 

[G46&Fbnth5]

@Phil A. @xraydoc @tstafford

If you have time you can try the following test.

Set Studio Display brightness to a low level and disable automatic-brightness.

Unplug the thunderbolt cable from your Mac Studio/MacBook Pro, wait 5 seconds (there is no need to make the computer sleep, you can also keep the MacBook open), plug the cable back, wait a couple of seconds.

This way, I experience the Studio Display flashing and the Brightness bar in control center going to max.

If it doesn’t happen the first time, unplug and re-plug the Mac a couple of times.

 

[A.J. Hamler]

Thanks everyone for weighing in. After more than 500 views of my question, the fact that only one person posted who has seen anything like this happen doesn't bode well -- it certainly seems like it's not something that happens to everyone occasionally.

At this point, I have no clue whether this is a Mac Studio thing, or an Apple Studio Display issue... or simply nothing to worry about. I guess my best bet at this point is to keep a very close eye on this and make copious notes on occurrences.

G46&Fbnth5 -- I keep my office on the dim side so I should note that my ASD is already set at a fairly low level. And, since my office is always at the same light level I don't even use the auto brightness. (For that matter, because I keep my office dim, maybe that's the reason I'm noticing this flash; maybe I wouldn't if my officer were brighter.) I tried your test several times, and could not make it flash.

A.J.

 

[UpdatesReady]

I'm getting something very similar.

I'm using a new MacBook Air 13" (maxed out). It's connected to the Studio Display with a Thunderbolt cable. After it goes to sleep, it flashes upon wakeup. For me it shows the login screen, but off center (down and to the left) before correcting it.

It doesn't happen when I simply lock the screen, but seemingly only when it's asleep.

I have both a Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad which I tap to wake it up.

 

[G46&Fbnth5]

I don't know what is causing this problem, however I submitted a feedback to Apple about this. If you want you can do the same and include the following Feedback ID FB11968099.

 

[UpdatesReady]

Submitted FB12456944

Hopefully it'll get fixed...

 

[A.J. Hamler]

I've never had an issue with any of my Macs over the last two decades -- which is a good thing -- but as a result I sheepishly have to admit I have no idea how to send feedback to Apple. Could someone point out a link?

Thanks!

A.J.

 

[G46&Fbnth5]

I've never had an issue with any of my Macs over the last two decades -- which is a good thing -- but as a result I sheepishly have to admit I have no idea how to send feedback to Apple. Could someone point out a link?

Thanks!

A.J.

Here for Displays

Feedback - Displays

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about Displays.

www.apple.com

 

[A.J. Hamler]

Thanks!