Studio Display USB ports/audio freezing?

[jclardy]

So this has now happened twice, while using my Studio display connected to my 14" M1 MBP (Using the included TB cable) the USB ports on the monitor will randomly freeze. At the same time, the audio from the studio display dies as well. Both times I was running a video in Safari from YT in PIP mode, the video keeps playing but the audio dies (It stays available as an output for my Mac, but no sound is produced.) Unplugging/replugging the TB cable does not fix the USB or audio, I have to power cycle the monitor, at which point everything comes back up fine.

All I have attached to USB is a lightning cable (either charging AirPods or connected to an iPhone) and a Sabrent USB hub, which has a Logitech G305 receiver attached. I haven't tried swapping out the hub, but I think it could be part of the issue, but it does feel like something software based and not hardware since a reboot (of the monitor) fixes it. Anyone else experience this? All I wish is that Apple added a removable cable or power switch so I don't have to go under my desk to power cycle the thing...

 

[dznwoo]

Wondering if you found a fix to this. I've been plagued by this since I started using the Studio display.
I have an M1 Max 32gb 1 TB Macbook Pro connected with the included thunderbolt cable.
It's quite random when this occurs but occurs at least once a day.

When this happens my display works fine but all my peripherals (old apple USB keyboard and wacom tablet connected with a USB A to USB C dongle) connected to the monitor stop working and whatever music I'm listening too short loops over and over until I pull the thunderbolt plug and plug it back in. It works fine after that.

Can't quite tell what triggers this but I feel like it's when I'm working in Adobe Illustrator or playing something on Steam. Perhaps it's a GPU issue?

Tried unplugging the monitor from the outlet to reboot, from 10 mins to as long as overnight, still occurs.
I too am hoping this is a software issue. You are the only person so far I've found that shares this similar issue.

 

[Sharkies]

I am having the same problem. Sound dies, USB ports die randomly... I don't think I've ever had a monitor before that I've had to "reboot". I love the monitor, but for the price we paid for it... I expect this to be reliable. I am using a 14" M1 MBP. I am also using a G305 mouse, but have connected it using a USBA to USBC adapter. When the monitor USBC dies, if I plug that adapter directly into my MacBook it runs perfectly fine. Plug it back into the monitor, it's dead. Only way to fix it is to unplug the monitor. I sure wish there was a power button or reset button or a way just to reboot the monitor without having the unplug it. I still think it sounds silly thinking that... every time a say "reboot my monitor" I roll my eyes since I've never had to do that for any other monitor.

 

[weakwire]

I have exactly the same problem. Called apple support, they needed a way to reproduce that issue (I don't have one but I have frequent freezes). I tried changing dongles etc. It seems that the monitor dies after a while.
We need to raise awareness.

 

[Sharkies]

I have been experimenting to determine if there is anything that causes this to happen more frequently. I plugged the USBC to USBA adapter directly into my laptop so the only thing plugged into the monitor is the laptop. It seems more stable, which might indicate that using the ports on the monitor make the monitor less stable when using them, which basically makes them worthless unless I “reboot” the monitor every day… which is just plain silly. I want to be able to hang some things off the monitor that I don’t need when I travel and can just leave plugged into the monitor. Unfortunately, doing that currently means the ports will eventually lock up or the monitor will just stop working properly until a reboot. Apple really needs to fix this quickly. I have submitted feedback directly to Apple.

 

[dznwoo]

Been experimenting with it as well after reading these comments, seems like the common factor amongst us was having something plugged into the ports on the monitor. I moved my wacom tablet that was plugged into the monitor via Anker USB-A to USB-C adapter directly to my laptop, since doing so my monitor hasn't had a freeze up yet, 3 days in, amazing considering I was crashing multiple times daily. Definitely think it's something to do with the ports, maybe using adapters is triggering something. I still have my usb apple keyboard in the monitor, which seems to not trigger the lockup.

 

[teezee1002]

Im having this same issue as well, Im using a satechi hub attached to one of studio ports and having random disconnects with the kb and mouse connected to it. I do still get power but no data.

 

[brerlappin]

I’m having this issue too…. Satechi hub and external HDD both with USB-A adapters to the Studio Display will both go out simultaneously. Everything comes back online after a reboot of the MacBook Pro. Hopefully it can be fixed with a software update.

 

[teezee1002]

I’m having this issue too…. Satechi hub and external HDD both with USB-A adapters to the Studio Display will both go out simultaneously. Everything comes back online after a reboot of the MacBook Pro. Hopefully it can be fixed with a software update.

When it locks up does your HD lights stay on? when it locks up. I can use my bluetooth peripherals. I can see the internal USB mic on the studio is still detected but no data is being received (its not seeing my voice in the locked state). also in system prefs, I get a error when trying to see the displays tab/icon (preferences error - Could not load Displays preference pane). I contacted applecare they gave me the typical rundown... Hopefully they know the issue and its firmware fixable.

 

[brerlappin]

When it locks up does your HD lights stay on? when it locks up. I can use my bluetooth peripherals. I can see the internal USB mic on the studio is still detected but no data is being received (its not seeing my voice in the locked state). also in system prefs, I get a error when trying to see the displays tab/icon (preferences error - Could not load Displays preference pane). I contacted applecare they gave me the typical rundown... Hopefully they know the issue and its firmware fixable.

Yes, the HD light remains on. I haven't tried going into display preferences, but will the next time it happens.

Usually I have to disconnect my Wacom tablet to run in Bluetooth mode to continue working and then reboot to get everything fully up and running again.

I've seen some threads saying that it's a Wacom conflict, but I don't think everyone affected is using a tablet.

 

[BanditoB]

If the problem reoccurs, I would try rebooting just the Studio display by unplugging the power cord. If if works, it may be an issue with the ASD’s ports as opposed to the computer itself.

 

[teezee1002]

Yea I just got off the phone with apple support, regarding this issue. They said they dont know of a wide spread issue about the USB hub dying. They had me reinstall the OS which I just did I will let you know how that goes. Was this happening before or after the last firmware update on the display? I'm on Version 15.5 (Build 19F77)

 

[brerlappin]

I found this thread about this issue on the XDR display, which isn't encouraging.... it's probably caused by the same thing.

Pro Display XDR ports on the back randoml… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[teezee1002]

I found this thread about this issue on the XDR display, which isn't encouraging.... it's probably caused by the same thing.

Pro Display XDR ports on the back randoml… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

Thanks for sharing. Are you using logitech peripherals on that hub?

 

[brerlappin]

Thanks for sharing. Are you using logitech peripherals on that hub?

Nothing from Logitech... a Wacom tablet, some older Seagate hard drives and a Canon printer

 

[brerlappin]

When it locks up does your HD lights stay on? when it locks up. I can use my bluetooth peripherals. I can see the internal USB mic on the studio is still detected but no data is being received (its not seeing my voice in the locked state). also in system prefs, I get a error when trying to see the displays tab/icon (preferences error - Could not load Displays preference pane). I contacted applecare they gave me the typical rundown... Hopefully they know the issue and its firmware fixable.

Just an update to say that the Display Preferences panel didn’t load the last time the USB ports froze.

 

[teezee1002]

Yea I have someone @ apple reviewing my case. I sent them a video the last time it locked up along with some screenshots of the USB bus tree. Today they asked for a system diag file as well, which I gave them. I also was looking at the console (live) and I kept noticing a GoProWebcamDaemon continuously failing, so I uninstalled it this morning. So far I havenn't froze.

 

[teezee1002]

Yea I have someone @ apple reviewing my case. I sent them a video the last time it locked up along with some screenshots of the USB bus tree. Today they asked for a system diag file as well, which I gave them. I also was looking at the console (live) and I kept noticing a GoProWebcamDaemon continuously failing, so I uninstalled it this morning. So far I havenn't froze. Update: It just froze again. so that wasnt it.

 

[brerlappin]

I removed the hub altogether and connected devices directly to the display.

I'm hoping that will work better.

***Update*** the ports still froze. :-(

 

[brerlappin]

I tried connecting the display on each of the three ports, and it froze no matter which it was connected to.

 

[teezee1002]

I tried connecting the display on each of the three ports, and it froze no matter which it was connected to.

I tried the same, with the same results. I just connected my peripherals directly to the Mac studio for now until I get an answer from Apple about this.

 

[brerlappin]

I tried the same, with the same results. I just connected my peripherals directly to the Mac studio for now until I get an answer from Apple about this.

I’ll probably start a case with Apple soon, too.

Did you have to bring your equipment to the Apple store or are they doing it remotely?

 

[teezee1002]

So far just went through diagnostics at home.

 

[brerlappin]

Apple took some diagnostics as well, but nothing resolved yet.

 

[embotix]

I'm in the same boat. At least I know this isn't worth trying to get a replacement ASD. I'm a bit surprised it hasn't been publicized more than it has - probably because there are not that many people that actually have the ASD? Ah well. I was thinking of completely reinstalling macOS (2021 16" M1 Max) from scratch to see if that would make a difference - but I don't think I'll do that now.