MacBook Pro M1 Anker Powered Dock Display Issue

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Bry83 Author

Level 1

32 points

MacBook Pro M1 Anker Powered Dock Display Issue

Computer: MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) with 16GB of Memory and 8 Core CPU / 8 Core GPU.

Dock: Anker PowerExpand 12-in-1 Power Delivery Media Dock

Display: HP 23cw

Summary of the Issue:

Each time I connect and power-up my MBP the external display I have connected to the dock is not detected by the MacBook Pro (following System Preferences > Displays > Option+Detect Displays). The display itself does not detect an HDMI signal either. I tested with a few different components to try and isolate the problem:

Tested two different make/models of Monitors
Tested 3 different HDMI cables, all high-speed 2.0
Tested on TWO docks of the same model (Returned the original, purchased a New one)

Each test yielded the same results. The monitor would not connect until I power cycled the dock, then suddenly the HDMI signal started working. Upon shut down, I would be forced to perform the same power cycle for each use.

I also tested this on an Intel-Based MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019) and I did NOT experience the same issue. So I am using this as a verification that the issue lies within the M1 MacBook configuration.

Additional testing found that this appears to be related to POWER DELIVERY. Confirmed this by the following:

Tested an Anker USB-C to HDMI adapter (Model A8312) which is a small unpowered dongle. It does not use an external power source, simply powered by the MacBook. No issues with the display receiving a signal and no requirement to unplug or plug anything back in.

Tested the Dock WITHOUT using the included 60W power adapter and USB-C 2.0 power cable. I only plugged in the USB-C 3.0 Data cable from the MacBook into the Dock, and dock to display with an HDMI cable. Display signals are sent and received with NO problem.

This validates my assumption that:

There is some type of issue between the MacBook and External Displays when POWER DELIVERY is involved.

The question is - can this be resolved somehow by an update to macOS -or- firmware from Dock manufacturers. I certainly hope so otherwise this is going to turn into a major problem as more people purchase docks and find out there is a problem. Anker does identify "2020 MacBooks" as supported on their website but, we know that there are Intel AND M1 devices in 2020 so it's a bit fuzzy. I've been in contact with Anker Support to see if they have any ideas on their end.

Can anyone else verify this problem is occurring for them as well?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook

Posted on Dec 7, 2020 9:37 AM

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Answer 1

Bry83 Author

Level 1

32 points

Dec 7, 2020 11:00 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I contacted Apple's support and provided them with a link to this post so they could take a look at it. As with any support experience went through a few steps, which I had done previously, but I entertained them. Here's what they asked me to do:

Reset the SMC
Reset the NVRAM (funny they asked me to do this. It's not possible because the M1 does this automatically)
Test in Safe Mode
Create and test with a New User (Not really the issue since the external display should appear Prior to logging in)

None of the above have proved to be successful solutions. Next suggestion in this process from Apple support is to reinstall macOS. Truthfully I don't believe reinstalling Big Sur is going to resolve this but I'm willing to give it a shot. (Prior to the reinstall I was on macOS 11.0.1)

More to come!

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Answer 2

Bry83 Author

Level 1

32 points

Dec 7, 2020 12:25 PM in response to Bry83

I contacted Apple's support and provided them with a link to this post so they could take a look at it. As with any support experience went through a few steps, which I had done previously, but I entertained them. Here's what they asked me to do:

Reset the SMC
Reset the NVRAM (funny they asked me to do this. It's not possible because the M1 does this automatically)
Test in Safe Mode
Create and test with a New User (Not really the issue since the external display should appear Prior to logging in)
Reinstall macOS Big Sur (11.0.1)

None of the above solutions worked and Apple's support rep didn't have much else to suggest other than complete the Product feedback form (https://www.apple.com/feedback/).

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Answer 3

Bry83 Author

Level 1

32 points

Dec 7, 2020 8:53 PM in response to Bry83

UPDATE!!!!

Anker Support and their engineers have confirmed there is a compatibility issue between their PowerExpand 12-in-1 Media Dock and the M1 MacBooks and they're now working on a firmware update to resolve this problem. They couldn't give me a precise timeline to fix this however they've given me some hope that this problem will be resolved one way or another.

Anker's planned fix obviously won't resolve external display issues for people using products built by different manufacturers but my recommendation to everyone is push for solutions on multiple avenues. Check with the manufacturers of the devices you've purchased and see if they can fix it on their end. I still believe Apple needs to review things on their side as well and I'll definitely try to follow up.

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Answer 4

Dec 7, 2020 9:51 AM in response to Bry83

There have been some other far more vague posts which suggest you are onto something here -- with Power Delivery through a Dock on the M1 Macs intertwined in some fashion with displays not being recognized, when a comparable Intel Mac DOES recognize them.

Thanks for you well organized, methodical writing of this issue. Be sure to reference this posting when you make your report to Apple Support. No one to date has presented as crisp a summary of the issues in a way that an Engineer might be able to Replicate, and therefore work to Solve the problem.

The sooner you can get Apple Support to log a Bug Report based on you research and well-organized and complete report, the sooner we might all benefit from a solution to this vexing problem.

Please use the "Contact Support" link at the top of every web page.

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Answer 5

Dec 7, 2020 12:46 PM in response to Bry83

Great work so far!

If your issue is not solved, you need to continue to press them until they do one of:

• file a bug report. (no Engineering investigations are down without a Bug report, or a stack of returned or failed Macs).

• escalate the issue to a second-level support specialist (these are more knowledgeable, but far less patient)... and the second-level guys solve the issue or file a Bug Report.

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MacBook Pro M1 Anker Powered Dock Display Issue

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