Level 1

29 points

MacOS Big Sur, MacBook Pro 15 Late 2013, Thunderbolt Display

Following update to Big Sur, which also updates the firmware, my MacBook Pro 15 late 2013 will not boot if the Thunderbolt Display is connected. I can downgrade to Catalina but the firmware is not downgraded and the problem remains. I have reported it to Apple Support but wonder if anyone else is experiencing the same issue...

The system will boot correctly if the Thunderbolt Display is not connected

Connecting the display after boot the display works correctly on MacOS (which supports hot swop)

I use Bootcamp extensively and that does not support hot swop of the Thunderbolt Display so I

cannot use the display with Windows at all since updating (this is the big issue)

I have not found a reliable way of downgrading the firmware (which is where I believe the root cause of the issue lies)

Mike.

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Nov 14, 2020 1:58 AM

Top-ranking reply

etienne68yellow

Level 1

18 points

Posted on Dec 15, 2020 11:21 AM

ALL SORTED...

I spent hours on the phone with Apple Ireland about this issue last week and they remotely took over my Macbook Pro and did loads of unfathomable tech stuff as I watched, including taking time-stamps of actions they did, as they occurred in real time.

They rang me to let me know that they were about to release macOS Big Sur 11.1 and that the engineers had inserted some coding to hopefully sort my/your issue.

They rang again tonight and asked me to download, install and restart to test it, and they waited while the install occurred etc.

And it works.... Macbook now happily reboots with Thunderbolt monitor attached, etc

Feel free to send me £10 notes in brown envelopes to show your eternal gratitude ;O)

Happy Christmas one and all.

Giles

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60 replies

Nov 14, 2020 9:28 AM in response to OUM2303279

I would guess you are probably right about the firmware update being the issue not Big Sur. Who makes your Thunderbolt display? Have you checked their website support for any updates/ notices for Big Sur?

OUM2303279 Author

Level 1

29 points

Nov 17, 2020 12:17 AM in response to Conrad Taylor1

I thought I'd done that but have just given it another go to be sure - 4 hours later, I have a re-installed Catalina, have restarted and reset PRAM (twice just to be sure), connected the Thunderbolt display (it works if you connect it after booting) - did another Restart and...

Chime
Logo on back of screen/lid alight
Nothing on either display...

<sigh>

I'm still convinced that, for me and I suspect many otheres, this needs Apple to release a fixed/updated 'firmware' (I have Boot ROM Version 427.0.0.0.0 showing)

conradwt

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2020 8:41 PM in response to keithkeith

Update: Earlier today, I finished a call with an Apple Care senior advisor regarding the black screen issue with macOS 11.0.1 Big Sur. I reproduced the issue, captured logs, and sysdiagnose information that was upload to Apple's servers. Then the advisor generated a request to engineering and they have 5 days to review the issue based on the data provided in the request. Finally, Apple Care senior advisor scheduled followup call regarding the request to engineering on November 24th. Thus, I'll update the thread with any information I receive from Apple.

Think different and code well,

-Conrad

OUM2303279 Author

Level 1

29 points

Dec 15, 2020 3:38 AM in response to jackfromleigh-on-sea

Just to be clear. I am on Big Sur. I believe that the firmware fix was distributed with both 11.1 Big Sur update and a similarly timed update to Catalina but I cannot be sure. Yes, I did roll back to Catalina from 11.0.1 Big Sur (actually back and forth twice!) in the hope that this would be a true roll-back but this is when I discovered that the firmware update is not rolled back and that there is no safe way to roll back firmware updates (there are reports that it can be done by de-soldering the relevant PROM chip and re-programming it with an external EPROM programing device but that is both unsupported and way over my level of competence). Good luck!

Dec 15, 2020 10:32 AM in response to OUM2303279

@OUM230279 I can also confirm that the updated firmware has also been updated in macOS 10.15.7 Catalina for my MacBook Pro Late 2013. Thus, I can boot the machine with the Apple Thunderbolt Display connected and it works as expected (i.e. no black screen). I concur with @ddkpe that one needs to install the update by disconnecting from Apple Thunderbolt Display. Finally, I'll wait until early January or February 2021 to install macOS 11.1 Big Sur to give me some time to research what application that I use have been updated for it.

Think different and code well,

-Conrad

Dec 23, 2020 8:59 AM in response to OUM2303279

Nope cables fine. I tried previous set up again, plugged into shielded extension cable adapter and it regressed as before, plugged back into wall and it was fine. It must be the shielded adapter? No idea - worked fine before Big Sur upgrade - but happy it is working.

Feb 2, 2021 1:34 AM in response to OUM2303279

Yes, I did. MBP2016. I did not see any reference to the Thunderbolt screen issues on release notes but upgraded anyway. I had to disconnect all peris and Thunderbolt screen to do the 11.2 install as the system just hung the first time I tried it.

Once 11.2 installed, I connected all peris back up and the Thunderbolt screen. After re-connecting USB devices etc and restarting a few times I was back exactly where I was before on 11.1 - a flaky set-up that I treat very carefully - so no real surprises. I still cannot get the in-built screen camera to work properly, which I have now 'replaced' with a USB-connected 1080HD cheapo.

So unless you want to waste an hour or two, or see something in the release notes that relates to your setup, this upgrade will not sort the issues as some and I have described above regarding the Thunderbolt screen.

Feb 2, 2021 11:11 AM in response to jackfromleigh-on-sea

Upgraded my 2017 5K iMac 27" to 11.2 today. Thunderbolt ports are no longer reading external displays. System Information shows no devices connected, even though the connections were not touched. Both displays run on their own power. Prior to the upgrade—running 11.1—I had a 2010 iMac (running Sierra, Thunderbolt to Mini DisplayPort) connected via Target Display Mode and a 7" mini touch display (Thunderbolt to HDMI).

Still troubleshooting a fix.

Nov 14, 2020 9:26 AM in response to OUM2303279

Update: Apple Support v helpful. After a comprehensive set of tests, I was passed onto a senior advisor who double checked and did a data capture exercise including the past history. It's still about the Thunderbolt Display being connected during the boot process.

They should now have all the evidence from my predicament now and will be sending onwards for further assessment.

Nov 15, 2020 9:15 AM in response to OUM2303279

I have the same exact issue, my MacBook Pro is (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), same graphic chip with you.

No matter I upgrade the OS from Catalina or clean install to Big Sur, same issue...

I worried if it's my hardware problem, but right now I think it should be Big Sur problem.

Hope Apple can fix it..

OUM2303279 Author

Level 1

29 points

Nov 16, 2020 4:21 AM in response to andreikalinin77

I'm sorry, I can't get past the annoyance of having my previously very functional Macbook and its many associated peripherals for both business and music rendered unusable by an 'upgrade' that has no way for me to safely back out.

I'm a little surprised that there isn't more about it on the internet. I must be an earlier adopter than I thought.

Dec 8, 2020 2:50 PM in response to OUM2303279

I've been working on this issue with Apple ever sense upgrading from Catalina to Big Sur with my 2013 MBP and 27" Thunderbolt Display. Today they closed the case because they state that no other instances of the Thunderbolt Display not working on boot up have ever been reported. So....Apple is done with this. At least in my case.

Dec 15, 2020 12:54 AM in response to Donaldfromchippenham

I did that upgrade last night but it has not fixed - and did not say it would in the release notes , the camera and speakers not working on Thunderbolt screen. I have not experienced the crashes I was getting before but early days...

OUM2303279 Author

Level 1

29 points

Dec 15, 2020 1:52 AM in response to jackfromleigh-on-sea

Hi jackfromleigh-on-sea,

You are correct that the release notes make no mention of the firmware update or any fix to the Thunderbolt display booting problem. You have a different model MacBook to mine (on which the problem is definately resolved). Looks like you should revert to Apple Support.

Dec 15, 2020 2:13 AM in response to OUM2303279

Hi - yes I have already connected with Apple Support on this issue. I have a 2016 MBP. I am surprised - but pleased for you - that it works on rollback to Catalina as I thought the firmware fix was needed for both BS and Catalina.

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MacOS Big Sur, MacBook Pro 15 Late 2013, Thunderbolt Display