I have the MacBook Pro 16" M1 running on the latest Ventura and the connection to my external monitor via Thunderbolt keeps dropping. This will happen for an entire day or two and then suddenly be totally okay. Then the problem will return after a few weeks. For the M1 I have researched there is no PRAM reset, that the reset happens automatically every time the computer is shutdown. Any suggestions?
MacBook Pro Apple Silicon 2023
I bought a new Thunderbolt4 cable to test and the connection still kept dropping. Then I tried connecting my iPad and the connection didn't drop so I knew it was my Macbook.
I was just about to reinstall MacOS but the software update 13.2.1 pushed and luckily after the update, the connection no longer drops. Whoo hoo!
I wonder what was causing the drop.
Hi urbnabc,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand that you're having an issue with your external monitor that's connected via Thunderbolt. We'd like to help.
We understand this issue is intermittent, so it can be challenging to know if troubleshoot is successful for a bit. We'd still like to try to get this issue resolved.
You can run safe mode on a MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon. While a restart is part of it, there are also some key presses that you'll need to do. Check out these steps to get that done:
Start up your Mac with Apple silicon in safe mode
1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu> Shut Down.
Wait for your Mac to shut down completely. A Mac is completely shut down when the screen is black and any lights (including in the Touch Bar) are off.
2. Press and hold the power button on your Mac until “Loading startup options” appears.
3. Select a volume.
4. Press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.
The computer restarts automatically. When the login window appears, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar.
These steps and other info about safe mode can be found here: Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
You can also try to swap the cable for another Thunderbolt cable. We know if will take some time for the issue to reappear so testing both safe mode and a new cable can help you isolate this issue.
Let us know how that goes.
Cheers!
It's me again. The thunderbolt connection dropping started happening again. And this time I had to reinstall MacOS. And now it's fine. Thankfully and hopefully the drop won't happen again.
I am using the Apple Thunderbolt 3 that I purchased from 2020. Have already tried Safe Mode and also removed all apps from "Open at Login" items -- the issue is still there.
Will try using a new Thunderbolt cable and hope that will work. Really want to avoid having to reinstall OS.
What make&model external display?
EXACTLY what ThunderBolt cable, and how long?
Thunderbolt connection to external monitor keeps dropping
