M1 Mac mini display issue

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.

Is the HDMI cable you're using an HDMI 1.4 ? I'm wondering if there isn't a compatibility problem with their HDMI port on the Mac mini M1, because, just like you, I had tons of issues with my monitor until I bought a new (2.0 or 2.1 I'm not sure) and high quality HDMI cable. It is significantly better now (it just acts weird at boot, but never during use). The other cable I was using had no problem and worked fine on any other computer/monitor/even TV, but it was old. So I guess it may be the 1.4 to 2.0/2.1 compatibility that fails, but I can be wrong.

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

Not sure if that will help many of you, but until Apple will come up with fix to this problem, here my solution that works every time...

I’m getting dreaded “pink squares” every time I’m installing software update to any of my apps, but sometimes is just totally random.

it alway happens after fresh booting.

The immediate solution in my setup to get rid of pesky little squares, is to go to system preferences, display properties and temporary switch from default settings - 60hz to scaled 75hz and back again.

In my situation, problem solved immediately 😁

This is exactly my solution also. I have a 2k monitor 144hz when I get those ugly pink squares normally after booting I switch from 144hz to 60hz then I go back again to 144hz and everything fine.

but this solution helps only if you can change the refresh rate of the monitor , some haven’t this option but their only solution is to let the Mac mini sleep for a minute or more. I hope this will help till a fix from Apple with the new update Big Sur 11.3.

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 am glad you found a solution. I could see needing to do something like this on an old computer to "keep it going." But having to do work arounds (I unplug and replug my HDMI cable for the snow issue) is ridiculous on a new computer.

I second the observation that the HDMI hardware or software is the problem. I have an ultra wide monitor and an M1and have 2 problems, the pink pixel problem and the monitor was blanking out 2 or 3 times a day for a couple seconds. Tried every fix you can image and the only solution was to use a USB-C to USB-C cable, fortunately my monitor has a USB-C input. Even tried an Apple USB-C to HDMI and that didn't work, it must still be going through the HDMI protocol/circuit. Took it to Apple and they said everything tested fine. Don't think its an M1 issue as I've seen many post about Intel mini and HDMI glitches. If you don't have a USB-C monitor, maybe you can use USB-C to DisplayPort adaptor. Maybe future Big Sur updates will fix the HDMI problem?

Things have just got worse for me. The pink squares still happen during boot up, the Mac still flashes a couple times when logging in, but now I also get the snowy screen sometimes when waking up on my primary monitor (unplugging the HDMI and plugging it back in, or killing power to monitor fixes this), and sometimes my secondary monitor will not wake up anymore (this problem can only be fixed by resetting the entire machine). I am not sure what to do anymore, I am hoping at least some of the issues will be fixed in 11.3. It's not right how long these issues have been allowed to persist.

Have the same issue intermittently, bought the device less than a month ago. I started thinking about returning it, but decided to research the issue first. Wow, over 30 pages and 5 months of people complaining about this and there is no official response/recall from Apple. I will not buy any more Apple products until this is resolved to my satisfaction.

Tell a friend!

I left quite a detailed response to this and my post got removed by Apple because it discussed b e t a software. Honestly, I really can’t be arsed to type it all in again. TL;DR; stick with it, I believe it’s fixed in the next release but I’m obviously not allowed to say why I think this.

However, if Apple are going to remove posts telling their users that their problems should be solved soon then I’d send it back and request a refund because frankly that’s just bizarre and they don’t deserve the customers / sales.

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 ?

My problem, every once in a while when the monitor wakes up it has snow. I turn the monitor off and then back on and it fixes the problem.

I contacted Apple several times and they tell me no one else has that issue. The bottom line they are unable to fix it.