M1 Mac mini display issue

I do a great deal of photography. I've been using it 2013 Mac Pro and until recently I've never had any issues. I decided to buy a Mac mini M1. This was a monumental mistake. I have an NEC monitor with DVI input and the cable has HDMI output from the Mac mini. I visiting the Apple Store with several cables and adapters, it does not recognize the NEC monitor. If you connect the monitor which also has a DVI input to thunderbolt adapter into the Mac mini, the monitor does work, however when you connect a calibrator like Spectre View it does not see the monitor. I was told by a new monitor, my old monitor is still working and precisely calibrated when I had my Mac Pro.

I am sure Apple will fix this issue but until then I am returning it.

This afternoon there was an update from Apple that fix the monitor problem, you can connect a a DFI to an HDMI and plug it into the back of the mini. Now the issue I have an NEC minor inspector view calibration but the message I'm getting from Apple is the monitor is not supported. The same Monitor has worked on several Apple computers with no issue. My opinion they launched Big Sur before it's time. I don't think I should have to spend over $1000 for a new monitor that works perfectly with Catalina.

Hey, I have exact same issues, M1 Mac mini, as of Feb 21 2021, All Big Sur updates 11.2.1, Using an HDMI cable into BenQ Monitor (2560x1440). At first only noticed it on Login screen, but now affecting desktop, so far only in first few mins after startup - lines of small pink rectangular squares moving around as I navigate dock, move to folders etc.

Come on Apple, my first ever real computer was an old CRT iMac and had a MacBook Pro, but been using window PC for years and expected things to be rock solid when I returned to MacOS - so naive!

2 external 4K monitors from different brands using thunderbolt never work no matter how I configure or what brand Or size I use. Lenovo, LG, Dell, hp etc. At least at this moment. Am definitely calling tech. Don’t want to start throwing down specs and such until I talk to them. Might be something on my end. I do have pink flashing dots popping in and out above my name at login though no matter what monitor has login on and it hasn’t disappeared with the latest macOS 11.2 update. I have the maxed out spec mini m1. Been slowly getting less glitchy I have to say, but I’m hoping this monitor issue disappears.

I know this is a small observation but just adds to my reporting so far the pink squares are now appearing in Blue and Green as well as pink as they have been since January. Always on login now. I am running 1 thunderbolt to Display port cable and one straight into the HDMI. I am on the latest official released update for Big Sur.

To note as of right now they are flashing up in a lot of places not matter what app I am doing. Now also watching YouTube to the right of my window and also typing this msg. It seems worse to me.

I did actually have a similar issue with the Mac Mini (Late 2012) back in early 2013. Used to get the snowy screen happen from time to time. Thankfully that issue was fixed with a separate software patch that had to be downloaded on the Apple website. I am hoping this is a similar problem and can also be fixed with a software patch. I don’t really want to go through returning my Mac Mini if it can be avoided.

I updated my Mac mini m1 16GB 512GB yesterday to 11.2.3 the Mac mini crashed during the preparation of the installation.

so I tried one more time the installation went smoothly . but sadly these pink squares appeared again today .

I Hope apple are reading this , its really frustrating .

I’m on 11.2.2 and fully updated. Monitor seems fine. Never had a problem with it before. I got the snow as soon as I began using the new Mac, followed by the pink squares. Haven’t seen the snow for weeks....until yesterday when it happened again. Probably following the update to 11.2.2 actually. My pink squares only happen at login to not a huge issue but still want I would like resolving for obvious reasons

I received my Mac Mini M1 today and it has this problem since the 1st day of use on Big Sur 11.1 from a box. Updating to 11.2.3 didn't fix the problem.

My Mac is manufactured in February of 2021. So it's a new hardware!

HDMI connection to Dell P2314H.

I can easily return my Mac Mini to Apple.

My M1 Mac Mini continues to randomly bring up snow on my HDMI monitor. (No issues with USB-C one!)

One day, I woke my mac and there was the snow. (It usually shows up upon waking.) I got busy, and a couple minutes later I came back the snow had disappeared. (Usually I unplug and replug the HDMI cable from the Mac to fix it.)

Not sure that helps with any diagnosis or troubleshooting, but just wanted to share. Luckily, I have not see the "pink squares" that some of you mention having.

I would request an exchange since my Mini is only a month old, but it sounds like it is happening on pretty much every M1 Mini with at least some HDMI monitors. And, since it doesn't happen all the time, Apple could easily say "they cannot duplicate the issue."

Apple has to know this is a major issue with their hardware. It is so frustrating that they seem to be ignoring it!

I've found the best solution so far... disable sleep on the Mac Mini M1, and turn-off the monitor manually.... and there are no screen resizing issues upon wake... cause the Mac mini M1 never sleeps now... and at 14 watts on Hydro-Quebec's power ... well who cares... but seriously... what's going on with 11.3 ... is it going to fix the problem or are we looking forward to a replacement devices ?

So 11.3 has just been released - would be interesting to know if anyone still has the pink squares on boot and/or snowy screen on wake from sleep issues (I have both on 11.2) after updating or if this appears to be finally fixed?

Yes but sadly it’s a total pain in the *** to return a computer and keep replacing it.

I returned mine a couple months ago and have been waiting for word that these issues have been resolved. I’m losing patience and my computer is barely hanging on. I will either need to get over these issues, or buy a PC.

Hi everyone,

I was thinking of buying an m1 mac mini, but these problems cause me to give up. is the problem still happening? I have read on some forums that the problem disappears when using Display Port instead of HDMI. Has anyone ever tried?

I would honestly just wait a little while longer. My main display (which is a 27" 1440p Dell) is connected to my M1 mini over HDMI and I haven't seen any issues throughout all of the 11.3 test versions that I tried. But I can't for sure say the problem is 100% solved because it doesn't always occur anyway. I can go days if not weeks sometimes without ever seeing a pink square. I've never had snow or any of those other things.

The other thing is that I really don't get what all the fuss is about? Sure, I know the issue should not be there. But it's there for a couple of minutes when the computer first starts and then goes away. The first time I ever saw it, I was concerned my video RAM was failing (main RAM I guess in M1), after a while it bothered me a little less, now not at all.

I think the main thing is buy one, if you see the issue report it to Apple so that it goes on record as having occurred within your warranty and then just get on with your life. If at some point in the future your machine completely fails, you've reported it, you should be covered.

I know people won't agree with this.

The other potential is to wait and go for an M1 iMac in a few weeks. No display issues there. Of course there could be other issues, but I doubt it, they've had 6 months to iron out issues in these systems by now and I'm sure the iMac will just be a Mac Mini PCB inside a screen (more or less).