2023 Macbook Pro (running Sequoia) has major issues when connecting to an external monitor

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Level 1

4 points

2023 Macbook Pro (running Sequoia) has major issues when connecting to an external monitor

I connect my laptop to an external monitor through an HDMI cable every day when I'm working. I frequently have problems where the external monitor is either completely frozen, turns black, or freezes each individual window on the desktop I am working on (when I swipe up to see all my active windows, the computer enters the mode where I can see my desktops, but all the windows stay in place and do not rearrange themselves). The only way I've found to fix it is to either restart the computer or repeatedly take out and put back in the HDMI cable (often up to 10 times) until it decides it wants to work. It's also exacerbated when my Macbook falls asleep while connected to the external monitor.

Is there a fix for this? It's extremely inconvenient and very annoying. I often have ~10 windows open on my computer in my external monitor at a time, so while restarting my computer will fix the problem, this is a major interruption to my workflow and is not really a viable solution.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Jul 16, 2025 06:33 PM

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Answer 1

Owl-53

Level 10

100,051 points

Jul 17, 2025 01:52 AM in response to patrickoare

I have found that the HDMI cable that was supplied by the Maker of the Monitor is usually the Source of all the issues you have outlined

I use a M4 Mac Mini with Sequoia 15.5 with an Asus VP 278 27" Display

The HDMI cable from Asus connected Directly to the Display would either " Wick Out " and Wick On " some times even when starting from the Off Position

It would also " wick Out and back On at any given time during the course of normal operating

Invested in a High Quality HDMI Cable that was no longer than about 3 feet ( 1 Metre )

In my setup - problem solved

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