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

Reply

Similar questions

31 replies

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.

Dec 2, 2019 12:50 PM in response to dvdswrd

I can tentatively confirm that @dvdswrd's solution works.


Disabling Power Nap seemed to decrease the frequency of the power connected sound, but it didn't entirely fix the issue.


Enabling "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically..." was the key, as he noted in his post. It's been about a week since I followed those instructions and I haven't heard my MacBook Pro make the power connected sound when it wasn't supposed to. I tested this with the Dell display turned off and with the Dell display turned on but asleep, and it seems to be fixed. 🙌🏻

Feb 28, 2020 3:20 PM in response to JordyP84

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."

Feb 29, 2020 9:37 AM in response to slackingtosh

Dell is wrong to blame this on Apple. It may be true that things worked before 10.14.3, but Apple's USB-C PD behavior after 10.14.3 is still legal and Dell's USB-C PD behavior is clearly illegal. The fault lies on Dell's side.


The USB-C PD protocol traces in the U3818DW USB Type C power delivery problem thread clearly show that the Dell U3818DW monitor is violating USB-C PD spec and the Apple Macbook Pro's USB-C PD behavior is legal. Page 29 of the Dell UltraSharp U3818DW Monitor User’s Guide says "The USB Type-C power delivery compliant port (PD Version 2.0) delivers up to 100 W of power." so Dell either needs to fix this or stop advertising their monitor as USB-C PD compliant because it clearly isn't.


The same issue affects the Dell U3419DW, see the U3419W USB Type C power delivery problem thread. Page 32 of the Dell UltraSharp U3419W Monitor User's Guide says "The USB Type-C power delivery compliant port (PD Version 2.0) delivers up to 90 W of power."


I wonder if this something Apple could take up with the USB-IF compliance group?



This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

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

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.