I have just bought my new MacBook Pro M4 Max and have issues with connecting external monitor by USB-C/DP cable. Previously I had MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip and everything was working fine. I have installed latest MacOS 15.3.1, maybe someone know how can I fix this problem. Previously I just plug USB-C cable and monitor wakes up and instantly show correct picture. Now monitor don't show any signs of life
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.3
This is a well known bleading edge problem. Thunderbolt 4 or 5 has not been thoroughly adopted by every monitor manufacturer. Some monitors have no issues, others are have issue with energy saver or power or the lack of it.
USB/Thunderbolt & Energy Saver/Sleep/powe… - Apple Community
The Mac does not rely on windows-like side-loaded "Drivers" which are actually packages of resolutions and settings for a specific display. Instead, it goes straight to the immutable source -- it asks the display itself.
To get a Mac display to become active, you need the Mac to query the display, and the display to answer with its name and capabilities. Otherwise, the display will not be shown as present, and no data will be sent to the display. "No signal detected" is generated by the DISPLAY, not by the Mac.
This query is only sent at certain times:
• at startup
• at wake from sleep — so momentarily sleeping and waking your Mac may work
• at insertion of the Mac-end of the display-cable, provided everything on that cable is ready-to-go
• hold the Option key while you click on the (Detect Display) button that will appear in Displays preferences (from another display)
so try doing some of those things and see if the display comes alive.
Yeah, sometimes it helps to connect to an external monitor, such as a USB-C cable in a Mac, and then open it (Waking from sleep). Still, sometimes I plug it in when I'm already working, and nothing happens. None of your points help, and I need to switch the USB-C connection between ports, and then magically, it will start working. By the way, the monitor I'm using is an MSI MPG 274URF QD. This is an exciting bug, I assume 😅
that MSI MPG 274URF QD appears to be a 4K 10 bits/color display with:
1 x DisplayPort (1.4a)
2 x HDMI™ (2.1)
1 x Type-C (DP alt.) w/ PD 65W
<< This is an exciting bug, I assume >>
There are several complaints a week about displays being slow to be recognized. Most are resolved by using one of the four steps I outlined above, and many more by using cables that are high enough spec AND appropriately short for the intended purpose.
If you meant to be sarcastic, that simply does not work in a written medium between strangers. Sarcasm only works when the Reader can be certain that the Writer was kidding.
MacBook Pro M4 Max External monitor issue
