M1 Mac mini display issue

They've just released 11.2 Release Candidate which has "External displays may show a black screen when connected to a Mac mini (M1, 2020) using an HDMI to DVI converter" in the release notes as an issue that it addresses - no mention of the pink squares bug but might be worth anyone who's testing 11.2 trying it, in case it's linked. The pink squares problem has affected me using USB-C to DisplayPort as well as HDMI to DVI cables though so may well be a separate problem...

I'm in complete agreement here! It's not good form for the issue to be there at all, but it's not specifically causing me any problems and I don't consider it worth sending back an otherwise superb machine.

I don't ever see the login screen because I auto-login. I'm the only person that goes near the machine. I used to see the pink squares from time to time but they would always go away after a while. It worried me because I thought I might have a hardware issue.

A few weeks back I plugged in an additional 24" 1080p screen via USB-C to DP cable. Not because of this issue specifically, I was doing a lot of coding and I needed the second screen. So that meant I had 1x 1440p screen via HDMI and 1x 1080p screen over USB-C. I also set the "Desktops have separate spaces" setting to on (or enabled) . I don't recall seeing this issue since these two things and I stopped worrying about it.

But then being a 1st generation product I don't anticipate keeping it for much longer than a year, 2 at the most. If people are really concerned they should send their machines back (assuming they still have the option), otherwise, and assuming the squares go away after a while I'd personally log the issue with Apple so there is a record of it and then move on.

I think it is clearly a software issue on the M1 Mini. Just did the upgrade to version 11.2 (20D64), the pink square are still gone... I also met the snowy second monitor issue earlier, also had the display wake issue and It happened very rarely that both of the displays went black for a few seconds, the system didnt freeze tho... was really weird, but these issues seems to be resolved with the recent beta builds... will report back few days later. And regarding bluetooth, no connection issues so far. Im using an old magic trackpad 1, a Delux mouse bought from aliexpress and a Microsoft Designer Keyboard. I absolutely love this machine... Yes there were / are some bugs here and there, but come on this is new stuff... and apple makes a good job with the beta releases, way better than microsoft ever...

My Mac mini M1 has the same pink square issue on the boot-up screen. I think it may be the Drift screensaver. I changed it from that, and I am going to see if that is the issue. I restarted it twice since then, and no pink squares.

Hopefully this is the issue. Way way the pink squares would show up and move around some reminded me of that screen saver.

Fingers crossed. I think I'll be exchanging/returning it if not.

I'm on my 3rd 8GB M1 Mac mini now due to this issue. This last one was replaced by Apple even though it was not purchased through them directly. I've been discussing with Apple this issue since November. They are now saying (not confident in their confidence) that it is a SW related issue and a SW fix will be needed. They are aware of the issue but as of today no commitment to actually fix it, depends on how many people have the issue it seems. After 11.2 update I thought it had disappeared but nope back again. Apple said it may be fixed in a forthcoming update but as of right now they are saying a fix is not yet available or in testing based on the latest information from Apple engineering When I said is there a chance Apple will never fix the issue, they said yes there is that possibility. Got to say, not happy!

Problem solved after 11.3 update.

Before the Thunderbolt screen connection wouldn't work (black screen on startup or after sleep). Now it works just fine.

Now I can choose between Thunderbolt or HDMI: both work fine now.

Try running your main display from the Thunderbolt as a temp fix.

If you want to run two monitors get the Thunderbolt connected monitor running first and then plug in the HDMI Monitor.

Hooked my M1 mini to a new Dell 4K (u2720q) through TB3. No more pixel issues anymore (both at login and desktop are gone).

oh and one more thing, ive moved it to the living room to do the test and plug it to my oled bx and everything worked fine, everything, no issues at all...

Zero issues here since Dec 19th, the day I swapped my monitor.

Previously pink squares were guaranteed each morning at cold boot.

No difference if KB & M are plugged into the screen or the Mini.

Doesn't sound like the same issue, and you should return it immediately.

Apple tracks return numbers and that helps to define ongoing priority and fixes.

Contact Apple, ask for a Senior Adviser and link to this thread - the more people log it with them the more likely they are to look into/fix it - feels like a software or firmware bug.

yeah same for me to ... I'm using a HDMI 4K splitter ... I disconnect the HDMI cable from the rear of the television and plug it back in and 9/10 times it fixes the issue

Your's sound like the hardware is broken, I would return it, and then get a new one if you want to try again.

i read from the macrumors forum that disabling the “display spaces” from the mission control in system preferences might fix the pink squares error. Did someone try that ?