Please help, Studio Display Failure After macOS Update

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Level 1

4 points

Please help, Studio Display Failure After macOS Update

After updating macOS earlier this year via the official Software Update channel, my Studio Display lost all functionality related to the A13 Bionic chip. While it still operates as a basic 2K monitor, core features such as the camera, speakers, and firmware updates and brightness adjustment are no longer functional as well as the resolution drops to 2K. This issue clearly stems from a system update, not physical damage or misuse.

Despite multiple calls to Apple Support and following all recommended steps, the issue remains unresolved. I was eventually instructed to bring the display to the HK Sha Tin Apple Store , where the Genius Bar staff were unable to diagnose the problem. They admitted they had never seen such a case, yet proposed a logic board replacement costing HKD$3,280—without identifying the root cause or confirming hardware failure.

The responses I received were vague, dismissive, and inconsistent. I was repeatedly told that the warranty had expired and that no global cases had been reported—despite evidence to the contrary on public forums. The staff could not confirm whether the logic board was actually damaged, nor could they explain why the issue occurred. Could anyone please advise me on anything I can do for my case, thank you.

Studio Display

Posted on Sep 10, 2025 09:15 AM

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Answer 1

Tonychovv Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 10, 2025 06:32 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

yes, the display had been powered off for at least a half hour, and the technician said their diagnostic machine could not detect my studio display to access the firmware information, though the display could just be performing like a normal 2K monitor as the same conditions I have faced for months.

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Answer 2

Sep 10, 2025 06:44 PM in response to Tonychovv

Display data comes in REALLY fast. Displaying that data is likely done by a hardware automation, with very little processor intervention required.

if is plausible that if they could not access the firmware, the board would need to be replaced -- there are typically no piece parts or sub-assemblies available, just the mainboard.

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Answer 3

Tonychovv Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 10, 2025 07:38 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Please, may I know in your opinion whether this is related to a system/firmware update or not? As I found it is not a rare case on the internet, and many of them mentioned the problems were found after a system update. The Hong Kong Apple technicians just advised me to replace the logic board at my cost, without confirming my logic board is actually burned or damaged, also not guaranteeing my problem can be fixed properly after a logic board replacement, which I think is ridiculous how they responded.

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Answer 4

Sep 11, 2025 06:30 AM in response to Tonychovv

<< Please, may I know in your opinion whether this is related to a system/firmware update or not? >>

There have been no pervasive problems with that display seen here, and none that have ended up being CAUSED BY a software upgrade. More problems have been seen after a software upgrade, but that is a correlation, not a cause-and-effect. Software upgrade may change the way MacOS talks to devices, so it is common for software upgrades to uncover festering device problems.

That display is complex, having the equivalent of an iPad inside, so it has more problems than a typical 'dumb' display.

Apple quotes for repair are FIRM. There will be no additional customer charges for any additional parts or supplies needed to make the device ready to work for you again. If you have any doubts, check with the Apple Store to make certain they agree -- that the charges will get you a properly-working device, at the agreed upon cost.

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Answer 5

Tonychovv Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 11, 2025 06:46 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

could it be a possibility that the logic board just gets bricked/locked by the firmware failure? and can be just simply fixed by a firmware reboot? why I asked is because this is what I learnt from the Senior Genius from Apple online, he advised me that it will be simple and instructed me to take the display to the store, and more importantly the store staffs just keep evading the questions whether my logic board is really damaged/burnt, I totally agree to pay for any cost in repair if it was really damaged. all these practices from them make me feel what are they hiding from me.

there are others I can find online below.

studio display not working properly after… - Apple Community

Studio Display firmware glitch: no more b… - Apple Community

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Answer 6

Sep 11, 2025 06:55 PM in response to Tonychovv

<< why I asked is because this is what I learnt from the Senior Genius from Apple online, >>

then that guy should start a case for you, and DIRECT the store Genius Bar guys to do that procedure...

... then you go back to an new appointment at the store with your case number and directive.

But if they already told you they tried to connect with the firmware, but failed... they may have already done that.

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Answer 7

Sep 10, 2025 10:43 AM in response to Tonychovv

While in transit to the Apple Store, was your display off power for a quarter hour?

That 'power-off reset is the usual "fix" for when the processor stops providing all functions.

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