Big Sur 11.1 External Display Issues!

I've installed macOS Big Sur 11.1 right after it launched today. My mistake lol


Unfortunately, I noticed my Type-C ports no longer recognize my two external monitors. I'm using HDMI to Type-C. So far my troubleshooting is as follows:

  1. PRAM reset. This seemed to help until I locked the display. Once unlocked via Touch ID, the True Tone went off and one of the two monitors went out and will no longer connect. Woot. Normally, when connecting an external display, the screen goes black then back on, however, the screen short-of lags and then doesn't ever detect an active connection.
  2. SMC reset. This actually didn't help at all... :(
  3. Fresh install, same issues.


Any suggestions?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 14, 2020 3:44 PM

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Posted on Feb 16, 2021 4:54 AM

Same problem. Just installed 11.2.1 - No Joy.


I'm running a Macbook Pro 2016 - 2019

32GB ram 4TB.

I'm connected to a J5Create JCD543. Via USB-C

2 DELL SE 2719HR displays.


Also tested on a 2019 Macbook Air. - No joy


Prior to Big Sur, my set up was solid.




Work Arounds: As of Feb 16 2021


Option 1: j5Create just launched a driver. But...well... as of now, it's not useable. It works. Kind of... but it's DJTVirtualDisplayAgent and some other USB virtual software that needs to be approved by security. It enables the second display, but with a 1 or 2 second screen lag. So any interaction with items on that display are slow. Like using Virtual PC in the 1990's. Maybe they will improve this.


Option 2: Use 2 USB-C ports. So, one cable goes into the j5Create hub and the second goes into an HDMI to USB-C adapter. Not the end of the world, but does require an extra USB-C port. results in normal use of 2 displays.


Option 3: I tried other hubs (prices may have changed since posting this.)

USB-3 Hub 123.99

https://amzn.to/3jV4aYp (both displays worked, but requires a special USB-C dual port cable) - returned


Portable USB-C hub pro $59

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0855GZ7PT (both displays worked, but also requires 2 ports, plus, it's a short cable, all cables must be visible on the table. I'm sure you know what I mean.. messy. - returned


Docking Station OKX $149

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HLXLW1Q (Yes, best choice so far. only requires 1 cable and has lots of ports. BUT It does require a driver.

https://www.displaylink.com/downloads


It's still a hack. requires you to be logged into the user account that you have installed the software. So, that means 1 display will be active while rebooting, up until you actually log in, then after about 15 seconds, it launches the second display. No lag, it works well as a work around. This one I'm keeping.


Oh, to save you time, I tried installing this displaylink software to use with other hubs. No dice, it looks for it's own hardware. sorry... (as of the time of this posting. Maybe that will change)



Summary:

I kept the OKX docking with displaylink for my home office. It's nice and clean, with the hub hidden and a 1 simple cable into my USB-C port (also provides power). Nice... but cluncky when rebooting. Must wait for software to load.


At work, I kept the j5Create. 1 USB-C cable from the hub, and all my devices are neatly tucked away. Requires a second HDMI-USBC cable to power 2 monitors, and takes 2 ports. Hopefully Apple will figure out the conflicting software or someone will find a terminal hack to help us all out.


Ethan-

743 replies

Sep 1, 2021 11:42 AM in response to iTimC21

I have a new LG 27UP850. And 3 Macs. The MacBook Pro running Catalina works fine with the external monitor. The MacBook Air running Big Sur 11.5.2 when connected via the same USB-C cable blanks out both screens. The built-in screen flickers on occasionally as if it is trying to locate the signal. The iMac running Big Sur 11.5.2 when connected from ThunderBolt2 to DisplayPort, also blanks out both screens with the same behaviour of turning the built-in screen on occasionally for a second as if it is trying to find a signal.


I have tried reseting the SMC and PRAM with no luck. I have tried changing the external monitor from DP1.4 to DP1.2 with no luck.


It would seems that Big Sur has a persistent bug in regards to external monitors since I have read of it happening since early in the year.

Dec 16, 2020 4:52 AM in response to iTimC21

Similar issue on my end:


23" Apple Cinema Display connected via DVI adapter is no longer recognised. Display works fine on my other MacBook Pro running previous version of Big Sur.


The port does register the adapter being plugged in - when I plug it in, the mouse cursor drags and becomes unresponsive for a few seconds.


What's going on?


Dec 16, 2020 2:59 PM in response to iTimC21

I've a similar issue, I've two external monitors connected to my MacBook Pro 2019, the first monitor is Benq EW3270U connected to a CalDigit powered hub via DisplayPort, the second monitor is Benq SW271 connected directly to a USB-C port on the laptop using a USB-C to a DisplayPort adapter, both monitors are 4K@60Hz, all the cables used can handle the throughput requirements, the hub and adapters can handle it too, the setup used to work fine on MacOS 10.x, since I updated to Big Sur, the second monitor which is connected directly to the computer using the USB-C to DisplayPort adapter shows 800x600 resolution!

Dec 23, 2020 1:39 PM in response to iTimC21

I'm experiencing the same issue with my LG 27UL550-W monitor.


Originally I replaced my USBC to display port cable until I realized this was an issue with Big Sur 11.1. I've called Apple and reported the problem they didn't seem too concerned and tried to get me to do a number of things like reinstalling big Sur 11.1, they also recommended I wipe out my computer completely and reinstall which doesn't seem to make sense because this is obviously a bug with 11.1. I also did PRAM reset and SMC reset.


I didn't feel very confident after I got off the phone with Apple, it seems like they didn't want to contribute this bug to the Big Sur 11.1 that's why it's super important we try and get as many people as possible to report this issue.

Dec 28, 2020 11:14 AM in response to just4carrie1

I have a 2019 MacBook Pro which I use with a Samsung 49" RG90 external monitor. While it was annoying to find out my graphics card was unable to obtain the 5120 x 1440 monitor resolution capability, I was able to obtain 4096 x 1152; now that I updated from Catalina to Big Sur (11.1), I can only obtain resolution of 1920 x 1080, plus my refresh rate dropped from 120 to 60. Apple support is no help and acts like they don't know it is an endemic issue. No joy to have a $1,000 monitor running at 1920 x 1080. I really hope Apple gets this figured out ASAP.

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Big Sur 11.1 External Display Issues!

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