Dell UP3214q on MacBook Pro 16" PowerSaving mode

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Level 1

10 points

Dell UP3214q on MacBook Pro 16" PowerSaving mode

I have a MacBook Pro 16" with AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8 GB, Catalina 15.5.5 (19F101), EFI display driver version 01.01.190. I use a usb-c to DisplayPort cable. My monitor worked flawlessly in February 2020, but now whenever I connect the monitor, the laptop detects it and goes in two screen mode, but the monitor either a) goes straight to PowerSaving mode, or b) enters in a weird state, where it continuously flashes the entering PowerSaving mode notice.

I have:

- tried connecting the monitor to all four ports; it did not help;

- reset the SMC, PRAM and NVRAM; which did not help either;

- attached three different MacBook Pros, two 13" with only the Intel graphics card and one 15.6" with an Intel and a Radeon card with latest Catalina installed; all using the same usb-c to DisplayPort cable; the monitor worked fine with all of them;

- attached my 16" MacBook Pro to a thunderbolt 5K monitor and it worked flawlessly;

- attached my 16" MacBook Pro to the UP3214q with the HDMI cable and it worked, but the refresh rate is 30Hz, I need 60Hz;

- booted the 16" MacBook Pro in SafeMode and the monitor worked with the same usb-c to DisplayPort cable, but the refresh rate was 30Hz; after rebooting the monitor returned to going into PowerSaving mode once connected.

I suspect a driver issue, or the monitor not liking the refresh rate it receives, any suggestions?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 19, 2020 6:12 AM

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Answer 1

Hullooo

Level 1

4 points

Jun 30, 2020 12:13 PM in response to ilbajec

I thought I had written a reply to this already.

I have exactly the same monitor and also a MBP 16" (w/ 5300M).

The funniest part is that the setup works with Windows in boot camp (with Apple boot camp drivers to boot).

I also got a eGPU in the mean time AMD RX 5600 XT inside a Razer Core X. With the Dell connected to the Core X via de supplied thunderbolt cable, and the RX 5600 XT connected to the dell via DP it also works flawlessly (in MacOS 15.5 and 15.4).

This are both Navi chips so it is really beyond me how this doesn't work connected directly to the MBP and 5300M.

Spending 500€ in a eGPU setup is "less" than ideal, but it was the only way I managed to get it to work with the Dell.

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Answer 2

Hullooo

Level 1

4 points

Jun 22, 2020 3:12 PM in response to ilbajec

So it use to work with Catalina in the beginning?

I have the same issue. Just traded my 13" for a 16" and now the monitor has exactly the same behavior you describe.

I am really annoyed because I need an external monitor for work, and I am no planning on buying a new one.

From what you describe this is clearly an Apple problem where the broke the compatibility somewhere along the release cycle of Catalina. Would someone from Apple care to comment ? Could you please fix this issue ? My guess is that it is affecting other MST monitors as well.

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Answer 3

ilbajec Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2020 12:56 PM in response to Hullooo

Since you use a DP to DP cable for the eGPU and it works, there may very well be an issue with the usb-c output. A wild guess, but perhaps something to do with VESA DPM compliance (see https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_display_projector/esuprt_display/dell-up3214q_user%27s%20guide_en-us.pdf, page 13). Testing if this is really it, is beyond my possibility.

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Answer 4

Aug 4, 2020 2:59 PM in response to Hullooo

It was consistent!

I had to send in the computer for repairs - they replaced everything - logic board - Touch ID, etc. - it worked fine with that sleep hack for a while. I reset the SMC to fix a bootcamp thing and now it doesn't work at all no matter what I do.

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Answer 5

Aug 3, 2020 8:41 PM in response to Hullooo

Same here. I thought I was going crazy.

I am able to sometimes get it to work by sleeping the computer, turning the monitor off, back on, and waking the computer

this is ridiculous haha

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Answer 6

ilbajec Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 28, 2020 6:13 AM in response to Hullooo

Just a quick followup. I wrote to all, Apple, Dell and AMD. Apple has given no response till now. Dell's reply was that the monitor's warranty expired and pointed me to initiate Dell's community tech support. With a couple of misfires, haven't been able to resolve the issue, still trying tho. AMD's response was simply "... please be informed that Catalina OS drivers are made available from Apple for mac systems equipped with the AMD GPU and you must contact Apple as they can assist you better ..."

Basically, at the moment and at least for me, the only way to work with the monitor is to attach it via a usb-c to HDMI dongle + HDMI cable or usb-c to HDMI cable, and work at 30Hz. I really keep my fingers crossed that Apple will resolve this issue soon, as it is a real waste of a perfectly fine monitor. It pains me as it is creating a really terrible experience on a brand new MacBook Pro 16".

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Answer 7

ilbajec Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2020 1:28 PM in response to Hullooo

You are right, not the cable itself, but the output produced by the driver? It would be nice if an Apple official could give a response, any response. A hint to let us know that they are aware of it and working on it, would be enough. For me at least.

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