Low resolution when connected to 4K display

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Level 1

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Low resolution when connected to 4K display

When I connect my laptop to a 4K display, the software only recognizes it as a 1080p display in system settings and displays in 1080p resolution, not the full 4K resolution. This problem didn't exist before upgrading to macOS Ventura and I did not change the adapter or cable I am using. However, when I delete the com.apple.windowserver.displays.plist file in /Library/Preferences, the full 4K resolution is displayed sometimes, but it is still listed as 1080p resolution in the Displays setting.

I am suspecting that there is an issue with a configuration file somewhere inside the system that's causing this to happen, since this problem hasn't been fixed for a long time. Is there a fix for this problem?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.2

Posted on Mar 26, 2023 06:51 AM

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Answer 1

bruno75

Community Specialist

Mar 27, 2023 01:47 PM in response to fhg954

Hey there fhg954,

Upon researching your question, we were able to find an article that discusses how to change the resolution of your external display here: Change your Mac display’s resolution If those are the steps you're taking, but you still don't see an option for the 4K resolution, we wanted to rule out some other possible causes:

Sometimes unexpected behavior can be resolved with a restart. Check out the section ‘Restart your Mac' here: Shut down or restart your Mac
The latest version is macOS 13.3. You can verify this by clicking on the Apple logo at the top left corner of the screen, then on ‘About This Mac’. In case you needed it, this link shows how to first back up, then Update macOS on Mac.
Was there any firmware updates, or even driver updates, for the external display you're using?
What happens if you test connecting the same external display to a different computer capable of 4K resolution?

Cheers!

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Answer 2

bbesspete

Community Specialist

Apr 1, 2023 11:06 AM in response to fhg954

Hello fhg954,

Thanks for providing those details. We recommend reaching out to Apple Support directly for a closer look at this behavior. You can reach them here: Contact - Official Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 3

fhg954 Author

Level 1

70 points

Apr 1, 2023 03:33 AM in response to bruno75

I am able to get my laptop to recognize the 4K resolution of this display and displaying correctly after updating, but this bug happens again when I close the lid while leaving the display connected. After that, I cannot get my laptop to recognize that it is a 4K display again, not a 1080p display, even if the lid is not closed. I'm suspecting that using the laptop with an external display while the lid is closed triggers a software bug and messes up some system data related to displays.

Note that I had no problems with the display resolution while using my laptop in this "clamshell mode" in prior major versions of macOS, and I experienced this issue only on macOS Ventura. The only thing that's changed is the macOS version of my laptop; no hardware or display firmware. I have attached a screenshot showing the issue. I'm experiencing. Restarting the system doesn't help at all.

[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Serial Number]

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Low resolution when connected to 4K display

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