USB-C Power Delivery charging issues with Dell U3818DW monitors

I have a Dell U3818DW monitor that I'm using with a new Macbook Pro 16" 2019. When using it with the a USB-C cable there's an issue with the power delivery that over on the Dell forums, Dell is claiming it's an issue with the Mac OS software that was introduced with Mac OS Mojave. Here is their quoted response:

"There is not workaround to solve the incompatibility with the U3419W and U3818DW TPS6598E power delivery chip and Apple OS 10.14.3 and later. With the release of Apple OS Mojave 10.14.3 and later, Apple introduced a hardware incompatibility issue with our TPS6598E power delivery controller chip. When connected to the U3419W and U3818DW via the USB Type-C to C cable, 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"

A firmware update to the TPS6598E power delivery controller chip will not correct these issues. There also will not be a hardware power delivery controller chip replacement to correct this incompatibility issue created by Apple. You will need to back down the Apple OS to High Sierra 10.13.6 or earlier"

The original post is here: https://www.dell.com/community/Monitors/Does-my-Dell-monitor-have-Apple-support/td-p/7380520

What I'd like to know is if Apple engineers can either confirm or deny that this is an OS issue introduced with Mojave that results in an issue specifically with the TPS65982 power delivery chip.

MacBook Pro 16", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 16, 2020 7:51 AM

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22 replies

Jun 30, 2020 2:11 PM in response to EikiEgilz

OK, I tried this myself ... it stops charging when I turn the monitor off, by pushing the on/off button ... I never ever use that button, and don't think many people actually ever turn their monitor off physically. People just let it enter sleep mode, and then it continues to charge the laptop through the usb-c, as expected ;-)

Don't understand why anybody would set this to NOT charge, when their monitor is turned off, if they do ever turn their monitor off by physically pushing the on/off button.

Jul 20, 2020 7:58 PM in response to imdavidthornton

Still happening. I’ve switched to laptop speaker and muted it but the Dell display still comes out of power save regularly when the laptop is reporting it's 100% charged. Would changing the USB-C to USB-C cable likely do anything? I’m using the one supplied with the monitor.

Atwater

Level 1

4 points

May 3, 2020 8:41 AM in response to nvlashi

I’m just about to buy a 16” MBP and that very monitor (Dell U3818DW). Now I’m thinking that would be a massive mistake. Presumably you would have bought a different monitor?

Amien90

Level 1

4 points

May 8, 2020 3:51 PM in response to Amien90

how long do i have to wait before the dell is waking up the macbook?

Amien90

Level 1

4 points

May 12, 2020 8:39 AM in response to el sandro

i dont have that issue, but i don't have it for a week yet :)

I now just turn off my monitor to avoid any sleep issues. And my macbook is still charging when the monitor is off.

May 18, 2020 6:50 PM in response to nvlashi

Do you have any other peripherals connected to the powered, downstream USB-A port? I found that this problem was eliminated for me because I had mistakenly plugged in my printer to the powered downstream port instead of the unpowered. Presumably there's a power loss if both are sending power sufficient for it to drop below the minimum for the macbook to charge.

Jul 20, 2020 7:21 PM in response to phstc

I updated to 10.15.5 and now 10.15.6 on my MacBook Pro Late 2016. Unfortunately it’s still chiming away when connected to the Dell U3818DW when the Dell U3818DW is selected as the default speaker. I’ve switched it to Laptop internal speakers and will see if that changes.

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USB-C Power Delivery charging issues with Dell U3818DW monitors