When Catalina came out, we starting getting some serious crashing when you had two external monitors connected. In my case, it seemed to destroy my MacBook Pro. My machines are all running Mojave as a consequence.
Has anyone experienced dual monitor crashes with Big Sur? I see some reporting of crashes from other causes, but has the dual external monitor problem been solved?
Thanks!
MacBook Air
What worries me it doesn't seem to be acknowledged by apple as a problem - two Mac Book Pro's and neither can be used with external displays.
I have gone back to Catalina- as a business we are really upset will the poor level of support
I've just started up my new MBP 16" and connected it to the dual monitor set-ups at home and at the office. It's running Big Sur 11.1. So far no problems. I ran Music last night for two CDs worth of music and no issues. This was the set up that led to a lot of crashes with my old MBP under Catalina, but had no problems with the same MBP under older versions, and a MacBook Air.
I'm hoping really hard that there isn't a problem. I like to work with Music on at times. I don't want a whole lot of crashes, and the MBP eventually dying and being unable to get it repaired with the COVID closures. I would have preferred to wait for a MBP with the new processor line and an OS that was more crash-proof, but there's limits to what you can do with a MB Air as far as video is concerned.
I'm concerned with the lack of support this problem is getting from Apple. The problem doesn't seem to be widespread, but it does seem to be a problem caused by Catalina. For those who experience it, it's devastating in terms of their ability to get work done, and that has a real financial cost. It's also not helping Apple's reputation.
It's been 6 weeks or so with the MBP 16" and so far relatively few problems. I have had a couple of unexplained crashes, but they may have been related to specific software being used at the time, in specific circumstances. Nothing in the last couple of weeks. I have updated to MacOS 11.2. But the crashing every few minutes just isn't happening for me.
The MBP does occasionally drop the Bluetooth connection to the mouse and the headphones, and needs to be reconnected manually sometimes. Other times it picks it up itself. That's probably my biggest problem with this MBP.
I have a dual monitor system at home, connected via HDMI through a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 MiniDock. This is the same one I used with the MB Air before. I also use it to connect to the dual monitors at the office, also using HDMI. When in class, I will run the MBP using a nearby power socket, as I am using an Apple adaptor that allows the USB keyboard, the power module and an HDMI connection. The HDMI connection allows me to use the video projector in the classroom. That has all worked pretty well.
To date, I am pretty pleased with the MBP. The MB Air will be going back to my wife, as it was an 'emergency loaner' that went on for a year! It did a great job, given its specs, but I find the MBP much better for video production and the like.
If you are having crashing issues with dual monitors, I feel your pain, to the extent of my old MBP, which is currently quite dead after all the crashing with Catalina. It seems to be very much a machine/set-up specific thing: some machines crash like mad and others seem immune. Fortunately, the proportion that crash seem small in the overall picture, but if yours is one of the crashers, it's probably 100% of your MBPs and a major problem. I don't have a solution that I could even hope would work: it seems a matter of chance.
Try to make a new user
When you're logged in there, plug in the monitor
Does that help?
I have the same problem. When I connect the second monitor to my MBPro (15" 2019) it works well for a while (using Logic), however after some time 2-3 shorter screen disruptions turn up (Apple Ball), and only a bit later the system crashes completely. More or less the same as it was when Catalina came out.
I tried different monitors (LG Widescreen, Apple 27inch Thunderbolt Display) but for both it is the same thing. Very very annoying. PRAM reset did not help either.
The issue is not completely solved, at least for my setup. I am using a MBP 2019 (OS 11.2.1) connected via display port through a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 MiniDock with a LG Curved Monitor. So far I experienced no crashes but once in a while the screen is stuck (frozen) for a few seconds. I am using Logic and noticed this strange behaviour also with Catalina at the beginning. Strange is also, that I can use my cursor on the stuck LG Screen while the interruption (freezing) is happening, but no response to clicks etc. Sound continues to play fine, only editing is impossible during this short interruptions. This is of course very annoying and I hope that Apple will solve this issue.
Thanks Jochen23 / N.W.J. Hazelton - I think I will leave it for a while then, as last time it was a nightmare and we lost about 72 hours down to reboots and re-installs.
We are running a number of MBP's (2017/18/19 - 15 inch) with two Apple 27 inch monitors daisy chained into a BRYDGE docking station and it seems to last about 4 hours and then it's a constant freeze and crash.
I was hoping to take it to three monitors but with the lack of support we have canned it and started looking at Windows.
Thanks for the information- the problem for us is the loss of time and productivity both trying to use Big Sur and then winding back to Catalina.
I'd be interested to hear how you're going after 6 weeks as one of the laptops lasted about a week and started crashing again.
But your right apple don't seem to acknowledge the problem at the moment
Hi Drakhra - tried that and still no go, crashes again.
I do think it's a Big Sur issues
To all - the most recent update to Big Sur has made no difference. Music still crashes when plugged into an external monitor.
same issue here. have tried 3 different Macs and all crash with external displays connected
Hi
Does anyone know if the latest bug fix has resolved the issue ? Or is Apple still ignoring the problem ?
I have the very same problem - if the laptop is switched on as soon as I connect it to the monitors (apple 27' thunderbolt) the laptop crashes. If I boot up with the monitors connected as soon as I open a program the laptops crashes.
Been using Mojave since 2018 on a 2018 Mac Book Pro without issue - is the only answer to roll back to Mojave?
Dual external monitor crash on Big Sur?
