Thunderbolt random drop out

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Level 1

4 points

Thunderbolt random drop out

Did this issue ever get resolved? I am running Mojave with a thunderbolt 3 monitor and raid drives connected via Apple thunderbolt to USB3 adaptor and every new and again the monitor goes blank and the drives are also disconnected - so I get the drive disconnected message too. I can usually get the monitor back by turning the power off and back on again but not always. It can stay OK for days and then drop out every few minutes so not consistent at all. My MacBook Pro monitor takes over automatically when the thunderbolt display drops out so I can keep on working BUT it is a PITB to say the least. Did a solution ever materialise to sort this? Any help would be most welcome.

Posted on Apr 21, 2020 12:48 AM

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Answer 1

DonH49

Level 6

16,716 points

Apr 21, 2020 5:38 AM in response to edmo117

I'd suspect that adaptor does not provide enough power or bandwidth for all your connected devices. I use and have no issues with the Cal Digit TS3. I have a Dell 32 inch 4k display and USB3.1 and thunderbolt3 devices connected to it without problems.

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Answer 2

Apr 21, 2020 6:33 AM in response to edmo117

The Apple ThunderBolt-3 <--> Thunderbolt-2 adapter does not supply power to devices, so your drives must be self-powered.

The Apple ThunderBolt-3 <--> Thunderbolt-2 adapter does not support any displays except genuine ThunderBolt displays, no adapters.

About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support

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Answer 3

edmo117 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2020 5:50 AM in response to DonH49

Thanks for the tip however, my original post was in error, I do not have Thunderbolt 3, I have thunderbolt 2 so to connect to my new MacBook pro, I have a pucker Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adaptor that then goes to a WD Raid Thunderbolt drive that has 2 ports so the second port then goes on to my Apple Thunderbolt display. I take it that the thunderbolt 2 connectors themselves have electronics inside them since all the connectors are slightly warm - not hot, just warm.

Looking at the TS3 it is a nice bit of kit but it is Thunderbolt 3 and I need 2. Sorry for the confusion.

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Answer 4

edmo117 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2020 7:09 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks Grant, I already read the spec before I bought the adaptor. The display is an Apple Thunderbolt display so is self powered as is the WD drive so power should not be an issue. The trouble is with it being intermittent, I cannot cause it to happen by doing any particular set of actions. It can go off anytime. In general, it will not come back of its own accord but will need to be reset by turning it off and back on again. Same goes for the drives.

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Answer 5

Apr 21, 2020 7:42 AM in response to edmo117

some get relief by:

system preferences > Energy Saver ...

... disable "dark wake"

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Thunderbolt random drop out

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