Unable to Connect MacBook Pro M4 Pro to Apple Studio Display

Question

Level 1

4 points

Unable to Connect MacBook Pro M4 Pro to Apple Studio Display

Hi

I'm trying to connect my brand new MacBook Pro m4pro chip to apple studio display with the original thunderbolt 4 cable that came with the studio display. Whenever I tried to get the connection, the screen is fine for a few seconds and then the connection stop, and trying to connect again and again - looping a few times until it goes blank screen.

I have tried to replace the cable to another apple genuine thunderbolt 4 and also to plug the cables to other ports, and even through Thunderbolt 4 dock, and still not working.

The studio display works with iPad Pro M1 chip and HP-PC through the same cables and all works just fine. All of the device are updated to the latest versions.

Does anyone familiar with this kind of issue? or can suggest something helpful?

Thanks in advance

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.4

Posted on Apr 4, 2025 1:12 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 4, 2025 8:10 AM in response to AdiSnow88

the specs show four identical ports, only one of which is ThunderBolt.

To make things EVEN more confusing, they show a BACK view, of a display too heavy to swing around. The Thunderbolt port is the one closest to the stand.

Connections

One Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port, three USB-C ports

One upstream Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port for host (with 96W host charging)
Three downstream USB-C ports (up to 10Gb/s)

Studio Display - Technical Specifications - Apple

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Answer 2

Apr 4, 2025 3:24 AM in response to AdiSnow88

Modern versions of macOS are reportedly intolerant of display transmission errors – as in, they don't want to see any, and will cut resolution or signal if they do.

If you were using a very long cable, or some third-party (("cheapest cable the vendor could find to throw into the monitor box"), I'd suspect the cable. But you said you've used at least two Apple Thunderbolt cables – including the one that came in the box. Those should be of high quality.

I'd recommend contacting Apple Support.

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Answer 3

AdiSnow88 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 5, 2025 2:06 AM in response to AdiSnow88

Thank you all. I contacted with apple support and they fix the problem. It seems that the default mode in the display settings shows the resolution with some constant resolution options, under which non of them able to make the screen works. In order to fix it, the display resolution settings needs to be changed to 'list' and then to find the kind of resolution that works without problems.

Thanks again for your comments!

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Answer 4

Apr 4, 2025 10:00 AM in response to AdiSnow88

Here's the Studio Display Getting Started Guide: Apple Studio Display - Apple Support

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Unable to Connect MacBook Pro M4 Pro to Apple Studio Display