Level 1

16 points

Dell U3419W connected via USB C keeps scanning for signal when MacBook is sleeping

I use a Dell U3419W with my 2016 MacBook Pro, connected via USB C. When my Mac is closed and sleeping, the monitor keeps looking for a signal. The screen comes on quickly and I hear the sound you hear when you connect your Mac to power.

I found a post in the Dell support forum describing this issue, but Dell doesn't seem to feel any responsibility for their Mac users and sends us to Apple instead. Anyone here has any suggestions?

https://www.dell.com/community/Monitors/U3419W-scanning-for-signal-when-Apple-is-asleep/td-p/7254570

Also, I noticed I can't control the monitor's speaker volume using the volume keys on my Magic Keyboard. Again Dell points at Apple.

https://www.dell.com/community/Monitors/U3419W-MacBook-no-volume-control-with-keyboard/td-p/7316633

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Jul 11, 2019 6:20 AM

Top-ranking reply

slackingtosh

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Feb 28, 2020 3:20 PM

Apparently Apple broke something after 10.14.3. We have been communicating with dell on a similar thread (https://www.dell.com/community/Monitors/U3818DW-USB-Type-C-power-delivery-problem/td-p/7452974/page/2) and their community manager posted that After 10.14.3 Apple broke compatibility with the controller that is used on the U3419W and U3818DW and that Dell cant do anything about it.

"With the release of Apple OS Mojave 10.14.3, Apple introduced a hardware incompatibility issue with our TPS6598E power delivery controller in the U3419W and U3818DW. When connected to the U3419W and U3818DW via the USB Type-C to C cable, if you update the Apple OS to Mojave 10.14.3 or later, you will see the following issues =

* Fully charged Apple MacBook constant "charm" sound due to waking and sleeping

* The monitor will display, "Scanning for Signal"

There will not be a monitor hardware power delivery controller upgrade to correct this hardware incompatibility issue created by Apple. You will need to back down the Apple OS to High Sierra 10.13.6 or earlier.

I received a Dell internal email which stated = There is not workaround to solve the incompatibility with the TPS6598E power delivery controller and the Apple OS 10.14.3. We do not see the issue on Apple OS 10.13.6 and Apple OS 10.12.6."

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31 replies

JordyP84 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 1, 2019 8:42 AM in response to a_sudz

I started turning off my display when my MacBook goes to sleep, but I found out it doesn’t charge when it’s turned off. I actually ran out of battery one time when installing a software update. The display didn’t charge my laptop during the installation process.

I still don’t understand how this could be an issue with my Mac and not the display. Dell says it works with Windows, but I find that hard to believe with so many different manufacturers.

If it’s on Apple to fix, could be this be a firmware update?

JordyP84 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 1, 2019 9:19 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

That somewhat defeats the purpose of getting a USB C monitor, but I’ll definitely give it a try. Most often my personal MacBook is there plugged in anyway. I switch to my work MacBook once a week when working from home. Sometimes my wife plugs in hers.

For now I’d be happy with the sounds stopping. So if an extra power cable solves that problem that’s an acceptable temporary fix.

Sep 1, 2019 9:34 PM in response to JordyP84

The sound is coming from the computer when you plug the power in. Since you have a power source connected to it, it stopped the sound when its waken up. I wish we could found a solution, it's making all the extra functions of this monitor nearly useless to me!

JordyP84 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 2, 2019 5:41 AM in response to Frédéric Harper

This also shows there’s still an opportunity for Apple to add value in the monitor space. I wish there was a USB-C successor to the Cinema Display. I know they sell the LG monitors but I prefer a larger and ultra wide screen.

Sep 13, 2019 11:17 PM in response to SteveR514

Does the enabling of USB-C charging mean the power stays continuous when the monitor is off and stop the waking noise on the laptop? I'm running a MBPro 2019 and really want to get a USB-C monitor however its too much if its still not right ....

JordyP84 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 14, 2019 5:50 AM in response to NJGaskell

That's what I was hoping for. It seems to be much less often, but once in a while I still hear it. For now, I wouldn't recommend a Dell monitor. I think LG has a very nice widescreen USB monitor, but last time I checked it would only provide 60W of power, which might be a problem depending on your MacBook.

The alternative is to use a USB C dock.

Sep 14, 2019 2:27 PM in response to JordyP84

Hey Jordy thanks for coming back to me. Absolutely gutted the Dell monitor is still not right - I really had hoped this would sort it. I’ll have a look at some of the LG models. I think I need 85W to charge my MacBook. It’s a 2019 MBPro.

Does anyone out there have any experience with either LG or Samsung USB-C monitors and. 2019 MBPro?

Jul 30, 2019 8:20 AM in response to JordyP84

Did you find any solutions for those issues?

JordyP84 Author

Level 1

16 points

Aug 1, 2019 6:00 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

My monitor doesn’t have that option to disable sleep completely. I believe that suggestion was made for a 27 inch model.

a_sudz

Level 1

4 points

Aug 6, 2019 10:15 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I tried this suggestion, and I am still getting the constant scanning for signal. It's pretty disappointing that neither apple or dell will take any responsibility for this issue.

Sep 1, 2019 8:50 AM in response to JordyP84

It's clearly a display issue, Dell should fix it, but their response is that it wasn't tested (build) for Mac...

Sep 15, 2019 2:00 PM in response to Frédéric Harper

Thanks for letting me know, back to the drawing board now with my hunt for a monitor!

Sep 16, 2019 4:41 PM in response to JordyP84

This patch does not fix the issue from what I can tell. My monitor is on this firmware version and still having this issue of the power connected sound and wake issue with my MBP + Dell U3419W

Sep 16, 2019 4:58 PM in response to retrospct225

True, it only activated the option to power USB devices even when the monitor is off.

Sep 6, 2019 2:54 PM in response to JordyP84

It is a little difficult to get it to download. I had to go back to the downloads page, and it was still cranky about actually downloading. Once you get it downloaded, the .pkg is not tagged with a developer certificate, so you have to use the (Open-anyway) button in System Preferences > Security&Privacy

Once you get that opened, it launches its Installer. Once installed, it launches its Firmware-Updater and wants to do the update right then. Caution, says it takes a quarter hour and can NOT be interrupted or you will damage the display.

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It certainly is duplicitous of them to disclaim all support for Mac ANYTHING, then issue a Mac-specific display-firmware updater that is a Mac Application.

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Dell U3419W connected via USB C keeps scanning for signal when MacBook is sleeping