You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Electr0n87 Author

Level 1

18 points

Macbook Air M1: No 4K@60Hz possible on my 32" 4K BenQ EW3280U

Last week I received the MacBook Air 13" 2020 with the M1 chip. To my surprise, it fails to output 4K@60Hz via UBC-C on the BenQ EW3280U, resolving only 4K@30Hz.

I also bought a USB-C Thunderbolt cable (USB C to DisplayPort Cable 8K@60Hz Maxonar 4K@60Hz/144Hz/120Hz 5K@60Hz 2K@240Hz Thunderbolt 3 to DisplayPort Cable HBR3 DP 1.4

) which also outputs 4K@30Hz maximum.

Both of deze cables work on this monitor 4K@60Hz with 2 other tested devices.

What is the problem on this?

Posted on Dec 13, 2020 9:22 AM

Top-ranking reply

TheAlikA

Level 1

12 points

Posted on Mar 16, 2021 7:36 PM

I think a lot of people are struggling because they are using USB 3.0 (aka 3.1 Gen1, aka 3.2 Gen1x1) that is the most common hub under $50 when in reality there is simply not enough bandwidth to push a 4K display at 60Hz using the 5Gbps of the USB3.0 / 3.1...

for 60HZ you need either:

a dedicated cable (preferably Display Port instead of HDMI)

or a USB 3.1 Gen2 or Higher, Ideally Thunderbolt3 Hub which has a DisplayPort1.4 connection.

For most this should solve the problem, however, some displays might have different problems or like my display (Samsung U28E590D) has only the HDMI1 capable of 4K while HDMI2 is limited to 1080p only.

The USB naming is confusing, so I attach a screenshot:

You need at least 10Gbps to run a 4K at 60FPS screen

p.s. Thunderbolt3 is 40Gbps

View in context

84 replies

MrDindon

Level 1

10 points

Feb 19, 2021 6:05 AM in response to MrDindon

Correction.... after changing the resolution on the external display a few times 60Hz kicked in with dual display.... at least I have a work around for now...

jmp101

Level 1

4 points

Dec 18, 2020 10:45 AM in response to Electr0n87

You are lucky - it does not work at any refresh rate on USBC on the Mac mini M1

HLN98

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2021 3:43 AM in response to defossil

I believe macOS 11.1 broke some of the 4K resolutions and Apple had acknowledged the issue and promises a fix.

defossil

Level 1

9 points

Jan 19, 2021 3:45 AM in response to HLN98

So it's the software and not the hardware then.

AlexB123

Level 1

9 points

Jan 21, 2021 8:33 AM in response to AlexB123

Might also work for USBC to DP or other cables as well :)

jmp101

Level 1

4 points

Jan 22, 2021 2:12 AM in response to MrDindon

Still does not work with BenQ EW3280U on USBC with Mac mini with 11.2 Beta (on any refresh rate or resolution). But I'm happy for you because this is frustrating

AlexB123

Level 1

9 points

Jan 22, 2021 2:36 AM in response to drbrodix

Did you select default for this display and then click scaled again?

drbrodix

Level 1

4 points

Jan 22, 2021 3:29 AM in response to AlexB123

When I click default, the system switches to 4K@30hz. When I adjust scaling, it stays the same resolution and refresh rate :/

jmp101

Level 1

4 points

Jan 22, 2021 3:35 AM in response to AlexB123

yes- it makes no difference

icrooks

Level 1

4 points

Jan 30, 2021 11:50 AM in response to levbat

Same issue. Screen saver came on and even after log in the screen saver stays on and can’t get past it. Had to restart.

levbat

Level 1

4 points

Feb 3, 2021 7:10 PM in response to cdp89

BigSur 11.2 update did NOT fix any of the issues I've been having connecting my 4K monitor to the MBA M1. Nothing has changed.

AMCarter3

Level 2

226 points

Feb 7, 2021 8:39 AM in response to HLN98

Where did you get your USB-C to DisplayPort cable? Apple?

AlexB123

Level 1

9 points

Feb 7, 2021 8:42 AM in response to AMCarter3

On my Mac Mini m1 it seems to work fine using the HDMI port (4k @ 60hz) not sure if its the same for the laptops if you got a 4k 60hz adapter for it (from USB C).

HLN98

Level 1

4 points

Feb 7, 2021 9:12 AM in response to AMCarter3

Amazon.

Cable Matters Short USB C to... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTZZYKX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

shayann-

Level 1

4 points

Feb 10, 2021 6:01 AM in response to AMCarter3

Yes I’m well aware; just giving more info on things I’ve tried personally with my own setup and to show another example of the original poster not being alone with their issue.

Macbook Air M1: No 4K@60Hz possible on my 32" 4K BenQ EW3280U