display resolution lost with MacOS update

Same problem here.

Specs:

• Macbook Pro16 with Core i9
• 32 GB DDR4
• 1TB SSD
• Radeon Pro 5500M 4 GB

Automatic GPU switch (on/off) - It does not matter, the problem still exists.

Connected to the LG 4K monitor directly via TB/USB-C.

Each time after sleep or restart my Mac, the resolution of the monitor changes.

The availability of the option to select the resolution also changes, 1080p, 720p sometimes 1024x768 is MAX what i can get.

Other Mac with BigSur work's well (Macbook Pro 15 / 2017 / 16GB DDR3/ 256 SSD), i can get 4k 60Hz (no problem).

So APPLE must broke something with our Macbook Pro 16 with BigSur update i think..

One note, the connection via the HDMI adapter (original or for example satechi) allows me to 4k at 60Hz without any problems.. So it must be something with usb-c direct connection ..

I try to reinstall OS by wipe out partition, and install fresh BigSur, but problem still exist.

I try to reset NVRAM/SMC - no luck, problem still exist.

Resolved for me...

Same issue for me was finally resolved when I could switch the monitor's Display Port back to v 1.2 using their Philips OSD.

It had somehow reverted back to v1.1 (not sure when, assuming during a Big Sur update?) which does not support 4K despite the right cables and everything set up on the Mac side. Hence why 1080p, 1080i and 1920x1080 were available as the max res. Once switched on the Monitor side, I could then in Mac Prefs, switch to the correct resolution (3840 x 2160) via the "Scaled" option and 'More space' (far right) selection.

I'm not sure about USB-c type as unclear which connector type you'll be using to the monitor - assuming you're using Display Port or HDMI? I'm guessing the same thing though, you'll need HDMI v 2.0 or higher for UHD / 4K

This absolutely fixed my woes.

The trick here is to connect via HDMI2.0 and set the required resolution.

remove the HDMI and connect back the thunderbolt-3 (usb-c) and the resolution is retained.

Resolved by using the top right PORT instead of top left.

Just wasted an afternoon troubleshooting this.

A small solution for the time being is to close the external monitor from its power button and open it again.

You will see then the proper resolution.

I had the same issue. Very frustrating. After reading the comments already posted, I disconnected the HDMI that goes into the back of my LG, leaving only the usb-c ( and a usb 3 connection to a drive dock ) . I rebooted and the LG immediately displayed the correct 4k resolution. No fuss, no unplugging and replugging usb-c.

Thank god someone else is experiencing the same issue. I have the MacBook 16 connected to a 1440p 144hz monitor and it would fall back to 1440p 60hz or 1080p 60hz after sleep. A restart would fix it every time but it's quite annoying. It's definitely a software issue in 11.1 since it was fine before.

I have the exact same screen, and I am facing the same problem. For me, the screen turns off when I reboot with the MacBook screen closed - I have to open the MacBook screen to get a signal to my external screen.

I tried all 4 ports on my MacBook Pro 16, and none of them work properly. The max resolution I can pick on my 32" screen is 720p - which is almost useless :(

Interstellaria we don't know source of the issue, maybe macbook's 16 are damaged in some way (mGPU issues) or Apple send some huge bug with the latest update. Anyway i can't work on Apple hardware now .. It is embarrassing that I paid a lot of money for Apple product, and I can't use it now ..

You can find more here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/macbook-pro-16-thunderbolt-low-resolution-30hz-debug.835172/

Update for 11.2 which I just installed: It seems to be a little better. I can connect through USBC and get the full 4K resolution but not at 60Hz (which used to work on Catalina). So at least I"m not forced to use HDMI. I've seen things go bad after a reboot on 11.1, so I'll stick with it for now. Hope this gets fixed soon.

Just updated from BigSur macOS 11.2.1 to 11.2.3 and my previously successful 4K on a late2013 Retina MacBook Pro 15 now gone.

I worked for weeks without any issues in 4K via display port (Thunderbolt 2) to HDMI adapter.

Not sure if I shall downgrade or how to fix it. Pretty annoying. Any suggestions with third party software didn't work so far ..

Same issue here! 11.0 was perfect for me. Is there a way to roll back to 11.0? I rely on a dual external monitor setup and this issue is killing my productivity. I should have waited to update.

Edit: once the laptop goes back to sleep, the resolution is lost..

Same issue same screen. I was able to fix it by connecting the screen via HDMI through a USBC hub. Once the resolution was back up (but at a lower refresh rate) I was able to reconnect directly via the USBC and keep the same resolution.

I found a better solution. I had more problems with Touch ID not working after Big Sur update, but when I fixed that the resolution problem came back and this time the USBC connector would go back to low resolution if the HDMI connector was disconnected.

Instead I recommend this third party utility to set your resolution: SwitchResX available at www.madrau.com. I don’t have any affiliation - it’s free to use for ten days.