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

by

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.

macbook pro touch bar m1
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.


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:

Upgrading to 11.2 broke my second external monitor connection.
Primary monitor LG Ultrafine 4k (Mac version) connected via Thunderbolt.
Secondary monitor (same model) connected via HDMI->DisplayPort adapter (BENFEI), then DisplayPort->USB-C cable no longer works after updating (worked fine on 11.1 before updating).
macOS appears to recognize the monitor and resolution, as it is shown in display settings, and Apple Support was able to remove into my computer and see both screens. It's almost as if the signal for the monitor to turn on is not being sent.

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.


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.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
Read Full Article • 68 comments
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Read Full Article • 160 comments
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
Read Full Article • 161 comments
maxresdefault

These 5 Features Will Make the iPhone 17 the Biggest Update in Years

Monday July 22, 2024 4:02 pm PDT by
The upcoming iPhone 16 models that we're expecting to see in September are going to be quite similar to the iPhone 15 models, but rumors suggest that Apple is making big changes in 2025. We've been hearing hints of an all-new device in the iPhone lineup, and it may be the most expensive iPhone Apple has offered to date. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. New 'Slim'...
Read Full Article • 171 comments
iOS 18 on iPhone Feature

Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 4

Tuesday July 23, 2024 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 18 today, introducing small changes to a number of features throughout the operating system. There are no big additions in this beta, but Apple is continuing to refine existing settings and design choices. Apple plans to continue updating iOS 18 over the next few months, with the update set to be released this fall. We've rounded up all of the changes...
Read Full Article • 53 comments
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
Read Full Article • 130 comments
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Launch Early Next Year With OLED Display, 48MP Camera, and More

Monday July 22, 2024 7:22 am PDT by
The fourth-generation iPhone SE will offer a series of major upgrades over the current model, the leaker known as "Ice Universe" claims. The information was listed in a post on Weibo, which also detailed the specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup. As previously rumored, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a major upgrade from current and previous ...
Read Full Article • 120 comments
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...
Read Full Article • 60 comments

Top Rated Comments

cal6n Avatar
cal6n
45 months ago
It’s good to see this on the front page. Let’s get some visibility.

My Benq PD2720U drops to 1920 x 1080 when my MBP M1 wakes from sleep, but still tries to display my higher res desktop.

Turning the monitor off and on restores normality, so it’s an annoyance but it still shouldn’t be happening.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Johnny907 Avatar
Johnny907
45 months ago
Well yeah, because in so many ways Big Sur is a huge piece of garbage. Apple needs to get serious about squashing bugs and getting back to “It just works” again.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sirozha Avatar
sirozha
45 months ago
Thats an understatement. Huge issues with external display for me on the M1 MacBook Air. HDMI connection is not recognized after the Mac goes to sleep. I have to unplug the cable and plug it back in and then bang on the space bar repeatedly for the Mac to detect the monitor via the HDMI port on the monitor.

The DP 1.4 (5K) connection on this monitor is not recognized by the M1 MacBook Air at all no matter what I do. It works just fine with the 2020 MacBook Pro (10th generation Intel CPU).

Apple admitted to me (after a month of me badgering them and demanding that the ticket be sent to Engineering again and again) that the M1 Macs have an issue with DP1.4 not being recognized.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fumi2014 Avatar
fumi2014
45 months ago
I've had this issue since I bought my Mac mini M1. USB-C to Display Port (cable straight from the Mac mini to the display - no hubs or anything). At least once a day, it will not wake long enough to detect the display. When this happens, I can VNC in and everything looks fine.


* It's almost as though the signal to wake isn't being transmitted or detected long enough to really wake the display.
* When this wake issue happens, on my monitor, NEC PA301W, I also get an error warning me that the display input has not been detected. Even though I keep my Mac running all the time. It's not like I'm even asking the Mac to wake from sleep.
* But the only way in is by powering off the monitor. When it comes back, sometimes it's all I need to do. Occasionally, the resolution has gone to hell and I have to go in and redo all my open windows.
* It happens often enough now that I know it's a genuine fault.
* For the last few years, I had an Intel MacBook Air connected to this display and I never once had the 'Wake' issue.



Honestly, I've been tearing my hair out over this. Hope this thread gets some good visibility and Apple sort it.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
star-affinity Avatar
star-affinity
45 months ago
An SMC reset ('https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295') doesn't help?

By the way, I think having more than one display connected in macOS is handled pretty badly compared to Windows 10 as far as what I know is possible.

Things I'm missing in macOS that Windows 10 can do:


* In software, disable one of the connected display as if it was disconnected despite being physically connected and turned on.
* Have the Dock (Task Bar in Windows) displayed on both (or all) displays at the same time.
* [S]Have the menu bar being displayed on both (or all) displays at the same time (well in Windows each menu bar follows the application window, but in practice it becomes like having a menu bar on each display if having one app on each display).[/S]


Or am I missing some setting in macOS to achieve something like the above?

Edit:
OK, I see the menu bar is on both the MacBook Pro 13" (2018) display and my external display using Big Sur 11.2 here at work. Don't know why the menu bar only show up on on the main display of my old Mac Pro (2010) with Big Sur 11.2 at home. At the same time Big Sur isn't officially supported on that computer, so can't really complain I guess...

Edit 2:
The menu bar missing on my second screen was due to the setting Displays have separate spaces being disabled in Apple meny -> System Preferences -> Mission Control.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anshuvorty Avatar
anshuvorty
45 months ago
I can confirm that I am having this issue as well. Here is my issue in more detail:

* I have a 34-inch 3440 x 1440 Ultrawide monitor connected to a Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock via Displayport to USB-C cable.
* Whenever I connect the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C (from the dock) to the USB-C cable into my M1 MBA, the monitor doesn't activate.
* The only solution that I found was to remove the USB-C to USB-C cable from my laptop, open the lid, and connect the cable again. At this point, the monitor is detected in macOS 11.2, and then I can close the lid again.

A little annoying, but I am not too flustered by this issue.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments