Thunderbolt Display to new Mac mini

If you want to invest to your TB display, please read on.

Thunderbolt Display to USB-C - Apple Community

27" Thunderbolt Display Help Needed--Port… - Apple Community

Many users experienced your problem and more than 50% of the "fix" would be "bypass the original Octopus cable" and "use Thunderbolt certified 1/2 cable" plus "the Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter"

Yes, in your case: the TB display will work on Older Macs (running older MacOS) - but will not turn on with newer Mac Models. The reason has been explained prior. There are many discussions on the community. If you go to "Displays Support" and you will find few of these discussions - with few successful fix via the method mentioned here.

If these steps are too daunting for you, or you have difficult time to follow through or can't get the specific Thunderbolt 1/2 cable --

It might be time for you to invest in newer display.

All the best

OK, so you do know your display is functioning prior.

The new MacOS is very strict with data - especially any loss on the TB display's cord (again, it's old) will result in non-function Thunderbolt Display. That's why many users experiencing "working on older Macs (prior MacOS)" but NOT with M series Macs (particularly running MacOS 15).

You can get Tunderbolt 1/2 cable (Apple made them: 0.5m and 2m in length - and these have become rare) - following the visual below:

PS: I used MacbooK Air - same principle to Mac Mini.

And: Please DO NOT cuf off the original cable, just wrap it around - get it out of the way.

Oh, you also have to plug the Thunderbolt Display's power cord to an outlet.

Best

Can you be more specific:

Have you had the Thunderbolt Display for a while and has been working prior? such as "has been working on 2014 Mac Mini" or "on 2015 MacBook Pro" ...etc. information.

or

You bought the Thundrbolt Display recently?

Bear this in mind: The TB Display has been in the market for a while (be honest: it's old! I still have a few and have given away many to other family members)

Therefore, many things can go wrong (from connector, logic board to power supply, even the backlit of the display).. If the TB display is BAD (logic board, power supply or display board) - no matter what adapter or cable you try to resurrect it.

Please provide more details about your TB display -- it will be really helpful.

Best

chrissie151 wrote:

I only know it’s a 2014 Thunderbolt Display. I am starting to think it does need its own power source. But what do I get. And do I plug the adapter into the power source and the source into the Mac mini.

The only way we can help you there is if you can tell us the exact make & model of the display.

If this is an original Apple Thunderbolt display (2011-2016) the model number is on the underside of the stand. It will be something like "A1407" and it will clearly say it's Apple. The printing it faint, so you need to look closely. There would also be a standard power connector (110/220v plug) on the back of the display.

chrissie151 wrote:

It works fine if I directly put the cable into my older Mac mini. All cables are good. It turns on. But using an adapter to the new Mac mini does not lower on the screen

The USB3-to-USB2 adapter does not pass power to the display. You have to plug the display into a wall outlet.

The display needs its own power source.

What display are you using (make & model)?

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

chrissie151 wrote:

I have this adapter. That’s doesn’t work

Sorry, I meant the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. You still have to plug the display into a wall outlet.

Could also be a bad all in one (octopus) cable. You can connect a TB2 cable directly to one of the TB ports on the display bypassing the octopus cable.