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User profile for user: Longva
Longva Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Macbook Pro (Mid 2014 Retina) > LG 5K 27 Display

I have a Macbook Pro (Mid 2014 Retina) that I am trying to connect to a LG Ultrafine 5K 27 inch Display using a Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter, but cannot get the display to function. It just stays black, and does not respond. I know the Macbook can't do 5 K but was under the impression that the display could be adopted to work with 4K for older models.


  • I have read the instructions here https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210205
  • And here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207266
  • I've checked that all cables are connected to the correct outlets and that both devices have plugged in power cables.
  • I've tried changing the resolution of the Mac in the Display preferences' panel (and rebooting between shifts)
  • I've tried pressing the ALT buttton and thereafter the hidden "detect display" button in the preferences panel with no effect.
  • I've tried rebooting the Mac
  • Disconnecting and reconnecting all cables.
  • Also tried a TB3>hdmi cable with no luck.
  • The Display worked fine with a newer Mac at my office until a few days ago, and makes a low humming sound when I check, so I know it's not entirely dead although the screen remains black.


Any suggestions? Can anyone confirm that it should be possible to connect these two devices, as suggested by the first mentioned support article above?


Thanks in advance for all suggestions and guidance.

Best regards,

Hjørdis

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 23, 2020 7:22 AM

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User profile for user: Longva
Longva Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Posted on Mar 23, 2020 12:15 PM

Thanks for the reply! I follow that thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 3/USB-C are different technologies, but I thought that was the problem the adapter was suppose to solve. What on earth is the Apple Thunderbolt 2> Thunderbolt 3 adapter good for, if not connecting the late generations with TB2 ports to a TB3 Display specifically designed for Mac compatibility?


The support site for the LG Display at apple.com specifically states that: "You can use the LG UltraFine 5K Display at a resolution of 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz on... Mac computers with Thunderbolt 2 ports using the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter" Both salesmen involved in selling me the super expensive cables seemed to think this meant the adapter would fix the problem, but now that I read it again... I guess it means only stationary Mac models with TB2, and not older Macbook models has the magic ability to translate this signal via the adapter..


What a total waste of time and money. But okay. At least I understand it now.

Thanks.




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User profile for user: Longva
Longva Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Mar 23, 2020 12:15 PM in response to QuickPost

Thanks for the reply! I follow that thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 3/USB-C are different technologies, but I thought that was the problem the adapter was suppose to solve. What on earth is the Apple Thunderbolt 2> Thunderbolt 3 adapter good for, if not connecting the late generations with TB2 ports to a TB3 Display specifically designed for Mac compatibility?


The support site for the LG Display at apple.com specifically states that: "You can use the LG UltraFine 5K Display at a resolution of 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz on... Mac computers with Thunderbolt 2 ports using the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter" Both salesmen involved in selling me the super expensive cables seemed to think this meant the adapter would fix the problem, but now that I read it again... I guess it means only stationary Mac models with TB2, and not older Macbook models has the magic ability to translate this signal via the adapter..


What a total waste of time and money. But okay. At least I understand it now.

Thanks.




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User profile for user: QuickPost
QuickPost
User level: Level 10
103,365 points

Mar 23, 2020 12:26 PM in response to Longva

Hello,


Apple’s Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter allows Macintosh models with Thunderbolt 3 to connect peripherals using Thunderbolt 2. Again, USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 are two entirely different technologies that happen to share the same socket shape. This adapter is strictly for Thunderbolt devices, not USB-C devices. USB-C uses an entirely different display protocol that just is not present on MacBook Pro models older than 2016 which means that there is no way to adapt USB-C displays for your model of MacBook Pro. Your best option would be to return all of these adapters and display then purchase a display that is compatible with your MacBook Pro.

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Macbook Pro (Mid 2014 Retina) > LG 5K 27 Display

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