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maximlos

macrumors member
Nov 22, 2016
60
35
When trying to connect the monitor via thunderbolt 3 multiple times to try to reach the ideal resolution, it may go into kernel panic. A disaster this BIG SUR! :mad:
 
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DaveXX

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 17, 2020
222
199
I use an LG 38GN950-B monitor that was working fine through the upgrade to Big Sur version 11.0. It's connected to my 16" MacBook Pro (early 2020 build) through a Thunderbolt dock, and from the dock to the monitor via DisplayPort.

This monitor's native resolution is 3840 x 1600. My MacBook Pro normally drives the monitor at that resolution at 75 Hz in HDR mode. Upon upgrading to Big Sur version 11.1, I could no longer convince macOS to offer resolutions for the monitor above 1080p. I tried the various tools suggested here and in the Apple Support threads (e.g. DisableMonitor and EasyRes), tried dropping down the DisplayPort version from 1.4 to 1.2 and even 1.1, restarting and reconnecting everything in various orders, all to no avail.

So far the only partial workaround I've found is to switch to using HDMI. Doing so allows the monitor to work again at its native 3840 x 1600 resolution, but only now at 30 Hz, and without HDR.
Regarding your spec your monitor should be at 144hz with DP (if not your Thunderbolt Dock is not supporting DP 1.4).
With HDMI it should have 75hz and there should be no issue with Big Sur which doesn't allow 75hz with HDMI.

So check you don't have any HDMI Compatibility Mode active with your monitor. Check that you have a High Speed HDMI Cable which supports HDMI 2.0b.
I can use full 4K60 with HDR with HDMI
 

seh

macrumors newbie
Oct 1, 2008
10
1
Pittsburgh, PA
I'm on my third Thunderbolt dock now—first, the CalDigit TS3Plus, then the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro, and now the Plugable TBT3-UDZ—and none of them have allowed my monitor to get past 75 Hz. Both the Belkin and the Plugable have been using DisplayPort 1.4, at least according to my monitor. I haven't found any settings that suggest that going to a higher refresh rate is a limitation of the monitor. Plugable does say that they don't "support" any refresh rates higher than 60 Hz, though I don't think the dock is actively preventing exceeding that.

I do see a setting on the monitor called "HDMI Compatibility Mode," but it's already disabled. This current HDMI cable is one that I dug out of a bag of old cables, so it may predate the 2.0b standard you mentioned. More concerning to me, though, is my return to using DisplayPort. Can you think of what else I can check to understand what's holding back reaching a higher refresh rate?
 

DaveXX

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 17, 2020
222
199
I'm on my third Thunderbolt dock now—first, the CalDigit TS3Plus, then the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro, and now the Plugable TBT3-UDZ—and none of them have allowed my monitor to get past 75 Hz. Both the Belkin and the Plugable have been using DisplayPort 1.4, at least according to my monitor. I haven't found any settings that suggest that going to a higher refresh rate is a limitation of the monitor. Plugable does say that they don't "support" any refresh rates higher than 60 Hz, though I don't think the dock is actively preventing exceeding that.

I do see a setting on the monitor called "HDMI Compatibility Mode," but it's already disabled. This current HDMI cable is one that I dug out of a bag of old cables, so it may predate the 2.0b standard you mentioned. More concerning to me, though, is my return to using DisplayPort. Can you think of what else I can check to understand what's holding back reaching a higher refresh rate?
Currently with Big Sur of course any Display Port connection will not work as intended. In some cases its a bit better or not (e.g. with my monitor DP 1.2 was ok but showed some weird informations and was limimted to 30hz).

But if you are at Catalina or Big Sur 11.0 (or hopefully later at a fixed 11.1+ version) it should be 144hz and if not there is no much more explanations that your dock doesn't support DP 1.4. You can try to use a USB-C to DP cable which is DP 1.4 certified to test your connection.
HDMI should not be limited in any way currently. So if there is not the full supported resolution with 75hz and 10Bit / HDR its very likely a problem with your cable.

Screenshot 2021-01-04 at 19.47.15.png
 
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DaveXX

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 17, 2020
222
199
There's a Reddit thread that describes much the same hardware that I have, also facing this limitation.
With most of the docks you have to be carefully they really hold their promises. In your case e.g. the Calldigit even clearly specified they just support DP 1.2 so it is limited. I would always first check a direct cable connection (a cable like this is not even really expensive (about 15-20). For some reason the the TBT3-UDZ supports DP 1.4 but officially doesn't support more than 60hz in any resolution....
Regarding multiple reddit posts as well 144hz should be no problem in general.
 
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Serenissimo

macrumors newbie
Dec 17, 2020
16
2
Somewhere WW
I'm on my third Thunderbolt dock now—first, the CalDigit TS3Plus, then the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro, and now the Plugable TBT3-UDZ—and none of them have allowed my monitor to get past 75 Hz. Both the Belkin and the Plugable have been using DisplayPort 1.4, at least according to my monitor. I haven't found any settings that suggest that going to a higher refresh rate is a limitation of the monitor. Plugable does say that they don't "support" any refresh rates higher than 60 Hz, though I don't think the dock is actively preventing exceeding that.

I do see a setting on the monitor called "HDMI Compatibility Mode," but it's already disabled. This current HDMI cable is one that I dug out of a bag of old cables, so it may predate the 2.0b standard you mentioned. More concerning to me, though, is my return to using DisplayPort. Can you think of what else I can check to understand what's holding back reaching a higher refresh rate?
I tried to use DP - USB-C cable but nothing change. The frequency remains stuck to 30Hz....so I continue to use HDMI (30 Hz) wit Macbook 16 and Lg 32 4K usb-c....a nightmare....
 
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DaveXX

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 17, 2020
222
199
I tried to use DP - USB-C cable but nothing change. The frequency remains stuck to 30Hz....so I continue to use HDMI (30 Hz) wit Macbook 16 and Lg 32 4K usb-c....a nightmare....
If you tried DP with current Big Sur 11.1 you cannot expect anything to work. As already said there is no fix yet.
Regarding HDMI its not limited to 30hz if you use the correct cable....

In general i have to say yes its is unbelievable that this problem was not identified during beta and that apple still have no fix after weeks...
But the solution with the official apple adapter i got for free from apple will let me work as before and i have no downsides - same resolution - same refresh rate - better power devlivery - hdr...
So in some cases it could be a good solution
 

maximlos

macrumors member
Nov 22, 2016
60
35
Practically that crap update (Big Sur 11.1) was released on 14 December 2020 and since then due to the bug it is no longer possible to use usb c monitors in 4k at 60hz, I consider it very serious that Apple has not yet released any fixes. communication.
Absurd! bad management of this delicate aspect!
 
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DaveXX

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 17, 2020
222
199
Practically that crap update (Big Sur 11.1) was released on 14 December 2020 and since then due to the bug it is no longer possible to use usb c monitors in 4k at 60hz, I consider it very serious that Apple has not yet released any fixes. communication.
Absurd! bad management of this delicate aspect!
Just to avoid missunderstandings. There are no "usb-c" monitors. There is Display port over usb-c or TB. This is the reason why lg ultra fine monitors or apple monitors are not affected. They use Thunderbolt.
 

maximlos

macrumors member
Nov 22, 2016
60
35
Just to avoid missunderstandings. There are no "usb-c" monitors. There is Display port over usb-c or TB. This is the reason why lg ultra fine monitors or apple monitors are not affected. They use Thunderbolt.
sorry, I meant Thunderbolt monitor, like Benq PD2720U

Apple be careful! there are people who work :mad:
 
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skiabox

macrumors regular
Jul 27, 2010
171
102
Larisa, Greece
Today I experienced the randomness of this thing.
I turned on my MacBook Pro 16 and the external Benq 32 inch monitor is working fine (until the next power off display after 10 minutes event I believe).
 
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maximlos

macrumors member
Nov 22, 2016
60
35
Today I experienced the randomness of this thing.
I turned on my MacBook Pro 16 and the external Benq 32 inch monitor is working fine (until the next power off display after 10 minutes event I believe).
Inconceivable to have released an update that makes expensive monitors unusable and in this way we are decreasing productivity.
And now almost a month goes by and Apple hasn't solved anything or released any updates yet.
Disappointed by Apple, it cannot be trusted now. :(
 
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andrewsyd

macrumors member
May 10, 2012
32
36
Just managed to randomly get 60Hz at 4K on my BenQ PD3220U 🤷🏻‍♂️
For only the 3rd time 🤦🏻‍♂️
Gonna enjoy it while it lasts lol
 

morning sock

macrumors newbie
Jan 10, 2021
3
1
So I have a workaround that that is a pain in the ass for my duel BenQ PD2700U and I'm getting 3840x2160 at 60 refresh as well as still being able to have few peripherals plugged in such as webcam and external keyboard with Big Sur 1,1


My machine is:
2019 16" Macbook Pro
2.4 GHz 8 Core Intel I9
64GB Ram, 4 T harddrive
AMD Radeon Pro 5600M

- Unplug everything from machine
- Plug in just ONE monitor and turn on, without having downstream up stream peripheral plugged in ( it will most likely be 1080p)
- Open up display pref and option click on scaled, then click back on default display
- unplug monitor from usb-c then plug back in
- When it comes back on, then click on default for display which puts mine in 3840x2160 30
- Click on scaled and choose more space which will get it 3840x2160 60
- You can then enlarge to middle selection while still retaining 3840x2160 60
- Plug in second monitor, and nearly repeat above process, which mine is connected data port to USBc like the other one and it should be on 1080p
- Option Click scaled which should let you choose 3840x2160 this time, if not choose default.
- Regardless if you get the choice of 3840x with option click on scaled unplug the USBc cable and plug back in
- Once it's second monitor is on 3840x2160, choose scaled and more space like when doing the first monitor and it will get it from 30 refresh to 60.
- Then hook up the USB dock for your peripherals

Like I said it's a pain in the ass since I have to redo those steps if the computer goes to sleep. Hopefully that is not too confusing.
 
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maximlos

macrumors member
Nov 22, 2016
60
35
it is useless to go crazy, it cannot be solved, we have to wait for an update from Apple that is taking all the time to create even more discomfort.
 
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Serenissimo

macrumors newbie
Dec 17, 2020
16
2
Somewhere WW

oshogg

macrumors newbie
Dec 22, 2014
13
6
I read a report on Apple support form that the latest 11.2 beta update fixed this issue. I am not willing to upgrade to beta as I have some critical work now - but would like to know if others had the same success.
 
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oshogg

macrumors newbie
Dec 22, 2014
13
6
So I have a workaround that that is a pain in the ass for my duel BenQ PD2700U and I'm getting 3840x2160 at 60 refresh as well as still being able to have few peripherals plugged in such as webcam and external keyboard with Big Sur 1,1


My machine is:
2019 16" Macbook Pro
2.4 GHz 8 Core Intel I9
64GB Ram, 4 T harddrive
AMD Radeon Pro 5600M

- Unplug everything from machine
- Plug in just ONE monitor and turn on, without having downstream up stream peripheral plugged in ( it will most likely be 1080p)
- Open up display pref and option click on scaled, then click back on default display
- unplug monitor from usb-c then plug back in
- When it comes back on, then click on default for display which puts mine in 3840x2160 30
- Click on scaled and choose more space which will get it 3840x2160 60
- You can then enlarge to middle selection while still retaining 3840x2160 60
- Plug in second monitor, and nearly repeat above process, which mine is connected data port to USBc like the other one and it should be on 1080p
- Option Click scaled which should let you choose 3840x2160 this time, if not choose default.
- Regardless if you get the choice of 3840x with option click on scaled unplug the USBc cable and plug back in
- Once it's second monitor is on 3840x2160, choose scaled and more space like when doing the first monitor and it will get it from 30 refresh to 60.
- Then hook up the USB dock for your peripherals

Like I said it's a pain in the ass since I have to redo those steps if the computer goes to sleep. Hopefully that is not too confusing.
I have 2 BenQ PD3220U. This helped me to solve the issue. I didn't have to follow the exact same steps - but clicking back and forth between scaled and default display somehow made the OS realize that the external display can be driven to 4K@60Hz.

Thanks!!

My plan is to use Amphetamine app to never make Mac go to sleep (and never disconnect it from monitors) until 11.2 is released.

Osho
 
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Parnell

macrumors newbie
Jan 13, 2021
1
0
I have 2 BenQ PD3220U. This helped me to solve the issue. I didn't have to follow the exact same steps - but clicking back and forth between scaled and default display somehow made the OS realize that the external display can be driven to 4K@60Hz.

Thanks!!

My plan is to use Amphetamine app to never make Mac go to sleep (and never disconnect it from monitors) until 11.2 is released.

Osho
Slightly off topic... Osho, how do you like the PD322OU? I have been considering this monitor, but I will likely have to figure out if it can scale text a little bigger as supported by a Mac Mini M1. But I an curious if you have been happy with this monitor. Or, in your case, you lucky stiff, with TWO such monitors:)
 

oshogg

macrumors newbie
Dec 22, 2014
13
6
Slightly off topic... Osho, how do you like the PD322OU? I have been considering this monitor, but I will likely have to figure out if it can scale text a little bigger as supported by a Mac Mini M1. But I an curious if you have been happy with this monitor. Or, in your case, you lucky stiff, with TWO such monitors:)
I have been very happy with the monitors.. They are excellent and work very well with Macs. Before that I had bought 2 Asus ProArt PA32UC and had to return them due to quality issues. BenQ monitors have been excellent. Until Big Sur 11.1, I could daisy chain both monitors - so with a single Thurderbolt cable, I can connect to 2 monitors and all peripherals.

BTW, I am not a photographer/videographer - I just use them for coding/productivity. So, I am not an expert on how they perform for color accurate work.

The only part I don't like is the speakers. MacBook's speakers are way better than whatever cheapo speakers are in the monitor - so I keep MacBook open and use its speakers. Also, there is no GSYNC or FreeSync - but I am not a gamer - so it doesn't matter to me.

Osho
 

maximlos

macrumors member
Nov 22, 2016
60
35
I read a report on Apple support form that the latest 11.2 beta update fixed this issue. I am not willing to upgrade to beta as I have some critical work now - but would like to know if others had the same success.
Thank god
 

satcomer

Suspended
Feb 19, 2008
9,115
1,977
The Finger Lakes Region
I have been very happy with the monitors.. They are excellent and work very well with Macs. Before that I had bought 2 Asus ProArt PA32UC and had to return them due to quality issues. BenQ monitors have been excellent. Until Big Sur 11.1, I could daisy chain both monitors - so with a single Thurderbolt cable, I can connect to 2 monitors and all peripherals.

BTW, I am not a photographer/videographer - I just use them for coding/productivity. So, I am not an expert on how they perform for color accurate work.

The only part I don't like is the speakers. MacBook's speakers are way better than whatever cheapo speakers are in the monitor - so I keep MacBook open and use its speakers. Also, there is no GSYNC or FreeSync - but I am not a gamer - so it doesn't matter to me.

Osho
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