Q: Mac mini 2014 won't wake monitor via HDMI

case # 721838139

Update after contacting Samsung and following up again with Apple.  I'm not an electrical engineer, so feel free to shoot down the assumption I'm about to make (at the end of this wordy update).

My set up: Mac mini connected to a dvi Monitor via an hdmi to dvi cable. Monitors tested: Samsung SynchMaster 2220wm, Dell 2208 WFP, Gateway HD Display LP2417. Samsung has the wake up issue, the other two do not, using the same cable.

Samsung was not helpful. After asking me to plug the monitor directly in a wall outlet (this had no effect), the representative said the only solution is to turn off and turn back on the monitor when it has gone to sleep. (btw, I have since found I can hold the "Source" button, which causes it to cycle between VGA and digital, and this will also bring the monitor back to life, which I suppose is better for the monitor than turning it off and on all the time).

The Apple rep did confirm that there are now several cases of this issue and agreed it appears to be isolated to digital connections.  I don't consider switching to VGA to be a viable solution, but since the other two monitors work fine, here is my assumption:

There is more than one signal via dvi, that can cause a monitor to wake up from sleep, with some monitors responding to one signal and the remainder responding to the other. The new Mac mini only sends one of the two possible signals

I've said as much in a feedback form for Apple engineers, so we'll see if a dvi solution is forthcoming.

Here's a workaround that works for me every time. My setup is:

- Late 2014 Mac Mini

- Fusion Drive

- Acer S6 27" monitor connected via HDMI

- Apple wireless keyboard and mouse

- Yosemite 10.10.1

Software settings (I am not sure how important these are)

- Set to never go to sleep automatically

- Set to always request password on wake

Here's the workaround that I use when the mac is asleep (I normally manually put it to sleep).

1. Mac has fading in-out power light to indicate it is asleep. Monitor has orange LED light to indicate it is asleep.

2. Press the spacebar once

3. Mac power light goes constant to indicate it is awake

4. WAIT FOR 40 seconds

5. Press the spacebar again

6. Monitor's LED indicator goes from orange to blue to indicate it is now awake.

7. Once monitor has warmed up, then you should be on the password screen. Neither of the spacebar presses should have gone into the password input control (indicating that they were both taken as wakeup commands, not real inputs).

I don't know why it is important to wait between the 1st and 2nd pushes of the spacebar. I don't think there is anything special about using the spacebar - probably any other input would also do fine.

Although this workaround works for me 100% of the time, it's not great that it means waiting 40+ seconds before you can use the computer. To my mind, this is a Mac Mini issue and it is not sending the correct wake-up signal(s) via HDMI, or at least the way it is doing it is not compatible with a large number of monitors on the market. I hope that Apple are looking into this seriously and that a proper fix can be provided soon. Apple has worked hard to earn a brand reputation for ease of use, and I would say that having to go through these kinds of workarounds - for something fundamental like turning the computer on - damages that brand reputation.

Same problem occurred with my husband's mac mini (latest, bought new dec/2014) and two monitors he has connected, Samsung and Dell displays.  Have you found anything on it yet?

Update on my situation.  I had been out of town since the day after Christmas so I didn't get to play around until I got back yesterday.

My set-up:

Late 2014 Mac Min 2.8 Ghz Standard config

Brand New Viewsonic VX2252MH

I had the monitor connected HDMI Port on Mini to HDMI Port on Monitor.  When the computer allowed monitor to go to sleep, the only way to wake monitor back up was by power cycling monitor.  If the computer was asleep, pressing spacebar on wireless keyboard would wake up computer (light turned from blinking to solid), then I would have to power cycle monitor to get it to wake up.  With the setting set to allow the Mini to go to sleep if monitor was off, then I would sometimes have to turn off the Mini and back again to wake it up.  I quickly disabled that part and just set computer to let hard drive sleep and to let monitor sleep.  I was able to wake everything up like this, but cycling the monitor power button. 

Before returning home I ordered an Amazon (Cables Matter brand) mini displayport to DVI cable.  This is a single cable, not an adapter requiring a separate cable.  So I now am using the mini displayport on computer and the DVI port on the monitor.  So far, so good.  I can, while logged on, tell the mini to sleep, which in turn makes the monitor go to sleep after a few seconds.  With a press the spacebar everything comes back after a few seconds.  I can allow the mini to put the monitor to sleep after a certain amount of time on its own and it will wake up everything with a spacebar push both when logged on to a profile and from the login screen.

For me this works.  I had originally chosen the Viewsonic monitor to use the HDMI so I could use its internal speakers.  It turns out the speakers on the monitor are useless, with the Mini's internal sound, believe it or not, being superior.  Therefore, the loss of the sound signal by not being able to use HDMI is not a big loss.  I also bought the cable, so the solution is no more clunky than an HDMI cable; unlike having an adapter of some sort plus a cable.  I am fortunate that monitor had HDMI and DVI ports.  If I was forced to downgrade to D-Sub 15 I would be livid.....

Regardless, this is unsatisfactory.  I shouldn't have to find a solution to make a brand new computer work.  And I do say computer, not monitor.  Some people here have very modestly prefaced their statements with the fact they are not electrical engineers.  Well, I am, and it is clear to me that this is soley an APPLE issue.  It is also interesting that various Apple products over the years have had varying HDMI issues.  This one, though, seems to be the worst, since it's not limited to rare configurations.  Like I said, I was out of town and didn't have time to call Apple and place a formal request for support.  I will do so, as soon as I get settled in.

I am still having the same problem. When the Mac Mini goes to sleep it will not wake up the projector that it is connected to through Thunderbolt to VGI. The monitor that I have connected through a HDMI to DVI cable seems to wake up just fine almost every time. When I told the 4th Apple Care Senior Advisor about this forum she got pretty rude and gave me a lecture about how this could not be the same problem that everyone on here could be and that just because there was a lot of people on this forum having the problem that does not mean it is happening a lot. She also said that the Mac Mini may just not be compatible with the projector and I may just need to unplug it and plug it back in every time. But my MacBook Air wakes up the projector just fine. Why would my 2011 MacBook Air be able to do something that a new 2014 Mac Mini cannot. This is the first time I have been pretty upset with an Apple Support person.

When they get rude, take down their name (and if possible ID #). 

This is going to get worse before it gets better.  Eventually the tech media gets wind of it and having details like this (including names) always helps bolster the story with real facts.  My gut says that Apple is quite aware of this but doesn't have a solution, so they are instructing their teams to essentially dismiss the customer and divert the attention to cables and monitors instead of their hardware.

I have the same problem  with the monitor Philips 234E, case number 724288215. I wonder if the HDMi port in the Mac Mini is not providing enough energy to wake up the monitor and as a result I have to power cycle.

Not helpful, I know, but "me too" with HP w2408h. I mention it only to give Apple the clue that this may be widespread.

Kanshaku,

I don't know how well Apple support pays attention to this forum. It would be more helpful if you open a case with Apple support and reference some of our case numbers above, to show that this has become a widespread problem. Thanks, Ed.

Again, My new mini attached to a Sony Bravia 60" is waking up all the time now. Dunno why but I can either wake the mini up first or after the tv is turned on. It recognizes it in a few seconds. But I don't have a computer monitor attached so I can't speak to that.

Wow, long thread..

I'm having the same problem on my Acer K272HUL / MacMini (Late 2014) with the sleep issue.. I'm also having an issue where I cannot change the brightness on my Mac keyboard, no effect from either key.

The same here with brightness and Contrast. On-going case with Apple update: jumped through final hoop of different tests Apple have asked me to do over the weeks. I then explained this forum again to the advisor, especially the many complaints now and the case numbers on here. He is going to feedback to engineers and let me know next week. They can't avoid this any longer...

I intermittently experience the same distortion when I wake up my 2014 Mac Mini using a VGA to display port connection (VGA LCD monitor).

No solution yet? In that case, I need some advice.

I bought my MM just 3 days ago (Jan 4) and noticed the same problem.

MM to monitor via HDMI to HDMI. I updated to 10.1.1, reset SMC, reset PRAM, and verified that the issue eve gets worse in Safe-Mode. Planning to go to the Apple Store on Saturday, but now, I've got a dilemma...

Do I, exchange the unit for a new one (because clearly it's not working as advertised), OR should I just simply return the unit for a refund and wait it out? The only issue is that I'd really like to start moving away from my 2007 iMac.

Either way, I don't plan on going home with the unit I originally bought... I mean, c'mon... out-of-the-box, and I'm already resetting things like PRAM and SMC?

I'm also hesitant to buy a MiniDisplay-to-HDMI adapter since the results that are logged on the forums lead to mixed result. And what the heck, a computer that SHOULD be able to connect via HDMI and I have to buy an adapter because it's not working correctly?

BTW, my case number is 726102455 if anyone else wants to reference it.

I would seriously return it. Wish I had. Too many hours wasted jumping through Apple hoops to no avail. Their engineers continue to ignore that this problem isn't exclusive to my set up and have me trying all sorts...I feel as a delaying tactic or one in hope I give up. Their reps (that replay messages between customer and engineer) are kind in manner- but the overall problem is not being addressed and I feel like I am being made a fool of now, after all these calls. Poor customer service in that respect- I wish I hadn't given them my custom!