M1 External Screen Resolution Changes and Color Issues

[guitarguy316]

I currently am using the Apple AV adapter to send HDMI to my monitor and manually set it to a scaling option. However, upon waking up from sleep or just coming back to my machine after leaving it for awhile, my MBA is not keeping the external monitor resolution. It always wake up with some bigger resolution and I have to reset it back to proper resolution and resize all my windows again.

On old MacBooks I read you woudl reset NVRAM but these M1 don't have that? Is there a display configuration file somewhere that I can delete or reset? Any ideas?

 

[af22]

There are several threads with many other people experiencing the same issue. I also have this issue with my 4k monitor over all 3 connections (usb-c, hdmi, displayport). However, my old 27" monitor from 2006 works perfectly.

 

[guitarguy316]

There are several threads with many other people experiencing the same issue. I also have this issue with my 4k monitor over all 3 connections (usb-c, hdmi, displayport). However, my old 27" monitor from 2006 works perfectly.

Seems that way...is it a Big Sur software issue or a problem with M1 machines? And no fixes in beta yet? Frustrating as a new Mac owner...

 

[af22]

There was a thread discussing if the two ports on the M1 laptops behave differently. I’m currently testing the port closer to the middle. I have far more issues using the port closer to the edge. But it’s still not perfect.

 

[guitarguy316]

Anyone know where the M1 store this info?

 

[guitarguy316]

Is this a common problem, meaning the M1 is the issue or should I be buying other USB hubs to try? I dont' want to waste my time is this is an M1 or Big Sur issue...

 

[guitarguy316]

Updated to 11.2

This is still an issue. As soon as my screen turns off after x minutes of no use, when I come back to it the screen resolution is all messed up. Only way to fix it is to open the display settings, change to a different resolution, then change back to the one I had previously.

I am using the Apple AV adapter via HDMI

 

[af22]

It’s significant better when I leave the laptop screen open. In clamshell mode my resolution will get messed up almost every time.

 

[af22]

Also I want to note: If i'm in clamshell mode and I wake the monitor, the screen resolution is very likely all messed up. If I then open the laptop lid, the external monitor resolution fixes itself to proper. But this means I can't keep my laptop in my vertical laptop stand.

 

[guitarguy316]

It’s significant better when I leave the laptop screen open. In clamshell mode my resolution will get messed up almost every time.

Also I want to note: If i'm in clamshell mode and I wake the monitor, the screen resolution is very likely all messed up. If I then open the laptop lid, the external monitor resolution fixes itself to proper. But this means I can't keep my laptop in my vertical laptop stand.

How do you have your external monitor connected? Just curious because I have tried various cables and adapters...always the same issue.

And I think you’re right...using it in clamshell mode like I’m docked 100% of the time the resolution gets screwed up when it goes to sleep or turns off the monitor after inactivity. I tried to set it not to sleep in power settings and that did not work either.

I’m really shocked there’s not more people complaining about this as it’s really annoying.

Have you created a ticket or spoke to Apple?

 

[guitarguy316]

Has 11.3 fixed the resetting of external monitor resolution and the color issues?

 

[af22]

I noticed the change log for 11.3 has:

• External 4K monitors may not display in full resolution when connected over USB-C