macOS Big Sur - Multiple Display "Recovery"

App & System Services Core OS macOS

Created Jun ’20

Replies 163

Boosts 0

Views 54k

Participants 153

I've found something thing macOS Big Sur broke - the "recovery" after changing display sources. Let me explain...

I have one big 4K monitor, connected to both my Mac (USB-C) and my PC (HDMI). I switch between the two sources on the monitor depending on what I'm doing. Each computer also has its own dedicated monitor (built-in for my Macbook, an old external for my PC).

Prior to macOS Big Sur, if I switched to the PC input on the monitor, all the macOS windows would shift over to the built-in laptop display, and then shift back to their correct window once I switched back. They no longer do that.

The application all stay on the laptop screen and the big screen is empty when I switch the source back on the monitor. I then have to move everything back to the big display.

I guess that's better than the PC behavior where even if you switch the source on the display back to the Mac, Windows still thinks its connected and continues to extend the display (the fix for that is to go to display properties and select "only show on display 2") , but thats a whole other gripe.

Has anyone else experienced this as well? Is there a setting I'm missing? Should I file a bug report?

Boost

adanprados OP

Nov ’20

i had the same problem with my monitor external, plss apple help us

roadtoad2020 OP

Nov ’20

Same issue here. 2019 MacBook Pro attached to an external display (USB-C to HDMI).

All the windows are visible in Mission Control but I can't access them unless I unplug my external display and then they show up on my laptop display.

ksemuldie OP

Nov ’20

Same here, very annoying.

2019 MacBook Pro attached to an external display (USB-C to HDMI).

phishman9 OP

Nov ’20

Same issue with a 2019 MBP, USB-C to USB-C 4k monitor.

The issue can be temporarily fixed by mirroring the display in settings and then turning mirroring back off. This works until I switch the display or the laptop sleeps...sigh.

mabaeyens OP

Nov ’20

Same with MBP 16" 2019. Working just fine with the latest Catalina as far as I can remember.

The external LG (HDMI to USB-C or HDMI to Hub via USB-C) works fine after reboot, when computer sleeps and wakes up, it blinks a couple of times, then switches off. The open windows remain on the external display although it's off, and there's no way to turn back on the LG unless I reboot the Mac

NINJA_TAC0 OP

Nov ’20

Same issue. Using MacBook Pro 13" Late 2013. Close laptop itself and use two monitors for display. One monitor is thunderbolt 2 to HDMI and displays fine post upgrading from Catalina to Big Sur. The other monitor is just HDMI and is now a smaller display size despite saying 1920x1200 I have black bars on top/bottom/left/right. I restarted manually and it didn't work. I restarted with just the 2nd monitor connected (the one with black bars) and it loads full screen as it is supposed to. The second I plug in the second monitor, my mac restarts and says it ran into an error. After restarted, same situation.

chinonk OP

Nov ’20

I got same issue, but already fixed by installing DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity. I am using ASUS USB external monitor.
When the application installed, Allow the DisplayLink Manager on Security & Privacy - Privacy tab - Screen Recording section.

abvijay OP

Nov ’20

Even I am facing the same problem,when I connect external monitoprs, it seems ot show, but in few seconds all monitors don't get signals..its is frustrating

In generall I have been having a lot of issues with Big Sur upgrade...I have MBP2019
1) Very slow booting
2) TouchID not working (insipte of resetting SMC)
3) external monitors not working
4) the system goes to zombie mode for sometime, and doesn't respond

I regret for upgrading, I lost 4 days of work because of this!!! loosing respect for apple. Moved back to Windows to continue with my work

ValBap OP

Nov ’20

Same here with my 3 external monitors:

1 USB-C to HDMI
1 USB-C to HDMI
1 adapter USB-C to HDMI + cable HDMI (Not working).

Everything was fine till the update.
Now I get this "USB accessories deactivated" as soon as I plug the HDMI, even if alone.

ejamartins OP

Nov ’20

I have two DELL P2414H Monitors, and after the update of my Mac 2019 for Big Sur version, one of the monitors are flickering. Never had a problem when using Catalina.
Basically, I have a docking station from Thinkpad and one of the monitors is connected to it and connects to my MacPro with USB-c and the other I am using a display port adapter and connected directly to my Mac. The monitor using USB-c is flickering after the update.

ejamartins OP

Nov ’20

CrispyCritterz OP

Nov ’20

UPDATE

got my monitor working. Go to the settings menu and open “displays”. Use “gather windows” button on the screen. This will bring your external monitor settings forward. Change your resolution and refresh rate for your external monitor. After about 5 seconds, my external display came back to life!

krizzli OP

Nov ’20

I have the same issue as @romankk where, even worse than what OP describes, my windows are somewhere off-screen when I plug back in my external monitor after disconnecting it. I can't drag them, I can only send them to the MacBook Pro Desktop through Mission Control and then they are somewhat visible (usually an edge of the window is visible).

romankk OP

Nov ’20

I found another, quicker way to recover the apps on my main screen.
In the system settings, change the main monitor to the other screen back to the original screen. Suddenly, the apps appear again.

Zman8 OP

Nov ’20

This is still happening in the GM release...