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Two monitors, one blurry
- Thread starter LTF123
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I would try swapping them around (with different cables) to see if it's the port or the cable, or even the monitor. If you are using a USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter, it may be faulty. I had one that was supposed to support 4K @ 60Hz, but it wouldn't go above 1080p. Swapped with an identical adapter and it worked fine.
If not then I would try using something like SwitchRes X to force a resolution on the second screen.
If not then I would try using something like SwitchRes X to force a resolution on the second screen.
When I plug the monitor in via USB C, nothing happens. Is it just a normal USB C cable that comes with an iPhone or Macbook charger that I should be using, or something else?
The charge cable won't work for video- it doesn't support enough bandwidth.
Providing details on the types of monitors you have, how they're connected and any other details you can think of would make it a lot easier for people to try and help.
Hi,
The monitors are two identical MSI MD271UK's, one is connected directly by HDMI (that one looks fine) and the other is connected with an identical HDMI cable via a USB C adapter.
I've swapped the two monitors and get the same results on each of them so I don't think they're the problem. I'm thinking it's likely to be the USB C adapter thats the issue?
Both 60 Hertz, the one connected directly shows as 4K resolution, the other shows as 1440p.
I bought the USB C adapter years ago for my macbook pro but looking at the listing, it shows as supporting 4K 30 Hertz.
If you trust that the adapter is capable of what it's rated at, sure. In my experience, junk sold on Amazon with brand names of random letters like CAKOBLE often doesn't meet its rating.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Why don't you try a few more experiments?
Cut the hub out of it and link both monitors directly to Mac Mini. If that yields desired resolution on both, you'll know that it is hub. Get yourself a better hub. There are abundant hubs available online. You might even want to go Thunderbolt hub for this.
One of your replies implies this but take the cable connected to the monitor that looks right to you and switch it to the monitor that looks lower resolution. Does the latter now look full 4K? If so, hook the USB-C cable from hub to the other monitor that WAS looking full 4K and see if it now looks 1440p.
If you have other cables to try, try them to rule out a bad/incapable cable.
Cut the hub out of it and link both monitors directly to Mac Mini. If that yields desired resolution on both, you'll know that it is hub. Get yourself a better hub. There are abundant hubs available online. You might even want to go Thunderbolt hub for this.
One of your replies implies this but take the cable connected to the monitor that looks right to you and switch it to the monitor that looks lower resolution. Does the latter now look full 4K? If so, hook the USB-C cable from hub to the other monitor that WAS looking full 4K and see if it now looks 1440p.
If you have other cables to try, try them to rule out a bad/incapable cable.
Thanks for the advice.
I don't have any way to connect the second monitor directly to the mac mini as there's no second HDMI port and the only USB C cable I have is the one that came with my macbook charger. When I try that USB C cable, the monitor doesn't even recognise that the mac mini is connected.
Regardless of which monitor I connect directly with HDMI, that one looks fine and the other blurry so I know it's not the monitor.
I've connected the USB C hub and HDMI cable to my macbook and the screen is still blurry so it's not the mac mini.
That leaves either the hub or the HDMI being the problem. I don't have a second one of either so I'll need to buy a new cable. Probably best to just get a good USB C cable to connect directly right? (I don't need to use the hub at all).
It looks like that monitor also supports USB-C (DP alt mode) and DisplayPort. I would use one of those instead (either a USB-C to USB-C cable, or a USB-C to DisplayPort cable). USB-C to HDMI can be finicky.
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HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
If you can spare the jacks, direct connect is just fine. But there's so few on Mini and that would eat 2 of them.
I think a good USB-C to USB-C might be the way to go. Any recommendations? I don't want to buy twice.
I'll only be using the back thunderbolt ports for the monitors. The two front USB-C ports will do the rest.
I use Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort cable with no issues. I would assume their USB-C to USB-C cable is just as good.
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First off is that when you buy a new Mac you buy the best support in the industry. Your first call with an issue like this should be to Apple Support, FWIW.
The general rule is to seek out the best cables/adapters you can find. If you need TB3 buy TB4, etc. The time wasted dealing with lame cables can be huge. Note also that one needs to shop with care because even the better vendors may lie by omission of negative facts.
Note that cable impacts may present in the future if not on the day they are purchased. Tech's demands keep increasing not decreasing; the cheap cables you buy today may screw with your workflow (costing time) when you plug in a different display, different SSD, etc. next year. Buy top quality cables.
Enjoy using your two displays! I do. Mine are 32" Viewsonic 4K configured in a V shape with the MBP display centered below.
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