Big Sur 11.1 4K monitor resolution settings gone since update

The same issue with my MBP 16" connected to a 32in LG 4K-UHD (LG 32UD99-W) (please see also https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252174979)

While burning the firmware with newly "Bug Sur" 11.1 I even got a message from my LG stating that the resolution's changing to - hold an believe - "1920x1080" and I should change the resolution to "3840x2160" for more comfort ...

In this discussion https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250715148 I found a reference to "DisableMonitor 1.92".

I tried this workaround and it worked for me ...

[Link Edited by Moderator]

Here is something that has worked for me the last three days.

I have been experiencing the same issue, which is not having the proper 4k resolution on my external BENQ monitor after my MacBook goes to sleep or even sometimes just turning the monitor off and on produced the resolution to go crazy.

What I do is the following:

1. Whenever I open my MacBook and I don't have full 4k resolution, I go to System Preferences > Displays
2. Then click on Colour tab
3. Then on Display Profile, I click on the only profile available
4. Turn the monitor off
5. Turn the monitor on again and voila

Hope this helps

After the latest Big Sur update as of today, what fixed for me with a 2k monitor through HDMI:

• Open Display Preferences
• On external monitor, calibrate color profile
• Go on scaled options and select a (any) different resolution
• Unplug and plug monitor back in

After the last step I was able to see the optimal resolution available again in the scaled options.

Hope that helps anybody else.

Same problem here, very frustrating and hugely damaging to my productivity.

I have two identical external 28" 4k monitors, and two identical USB-C to DisplayPort cables. This was all working fine under 11.0.1, and it's all working fine through my Windows laptop, 4k60 on both externals.

About This Mac reports one of them as a 28" 4K and the other as a 30.5" 1080p for some bizarre reason. I assume that in fixing the issue with 5K LG monitors being reported as 4K, they broke this and didn't notice.

I've got a 16" 2019 Macbook Pro, and this is very frustrating. I'm currently downloading the first 11.2 beta, will see if that helps, if not, I'm going to have to downgrade to Catalyst until they sort it.

Thanks, Apple. xx

Same problem. External monitor is BenQ PD2700U which will only give a maximum resolution now of 1920x1080 and the dialogue screen to select the resolution has changed from horizontal thumbnails to a vertical list of 3 choices.

I would LOVE to know when you're going to fix this ... I presume all I can do in the meantime is roll back to the last backup before the upgrade.

Having same issue. MacBook Pro 16 connected to 43in LG 4K display via usb-c to usb-c

Before 11.1 - no issues. display correctly identified and able to display native 4k resolution with HDR enabled

After 11.1 - display make and model not recognized correctly. Native resolutions incorrect. Max resolution 1080p and sometimes 800x600 depending on the sequence of plugging and unplugging the connection

Reset PRAM - no change

Reset SMC - no change

Temporary workaround for my particular display is to use the internal OSD controls to alter display port settings. My display allows me to change which version of display port it uses. My options are 1.4, 1.2, and 1.1. Factory default is 1.4 which supports HDR. When I set it to display port version 1.2 I get the ability to run at a native resolution of 4k (3840x2160) back but lose HDR support. Refresh rates stay at 60hz no matter what version I'm using.

Sounds like apple fixed one problem with one particular monitor, but broke lots more in the process of this update. How this was not discovered during beta testing I do not know.

My update/fix. I rolled back to the previous backup a few days before the update. This fixed the problem until I shut down the laptop completely and restarted. Now my fix is to unplug the cable from the monitor to the USB-c on the laptop and plug it back in again, then go to display settings and choose scaled – now the options are there to correctly scale the external monitor.

MB Pro16 with external 24" Dell, and 43" LG 4k. Dell connected via HDMI splitter/hub to display port. LG was connected with provided display port cable on opposite side of MB Pro. Prior to 11.1 update, everything was fine. Dell monitor settings were ok, but 43" LG would only max out at 1080p when selecting with option key. I resorted to working off MB and Dell after I couldn't stand walleye vision anymore.

I tried most of the workarounds I could find short of installing any monitor setting apps. What finally worked today was connecting LG with HDMI cable to my splitter AND also a display port cable connected on opposite side. I connected everything prior to starting MB. Yesterday I tried all of these various connections and restarting but none of that worked. I hope the next time I connect with my plethora of cables it works until a fix is issued.

MBP 16" and LG 43" & Dell 24" monitors and same problem. All worked fine prior to 11.1 update.

I tried DisplayPort 1.2 on my LG 43" but then I lost all display. At one point today, I had the 43" operating at 1080p via connection with HDMI splitter and display port, but within 20 min. my MBP shutdown and battery was toast. I assume at some point the LG quit charging, but draining the battery that fast is odd. After charging enough to reboot, I couldn't get anything better than 720p and have abandoned my Mac setup and back to Dell laptop so I can use an external monitor without using binoculars backwards. Very sad as this was my first Mac and I was loving all the new things, this not one of them.

For those considering running windows with parallels or other VM, don't do it. Windows gave me enough grief to finally switch when I knew there would be speedbumps, but I had less headaches dealing with that than trying to make my Mac work in a construction windows world. I enjoy iOS, but it needs to be on it's own. As soon as something is mixed in you get what you would expect, but I digress.

Glad I'm not the only one experiencing this on the BenQ PD2700u. I too have only 3 choices. I've even tried forcing the bigger resolutions through EasyRes and SwithResX and still no luck.

The only thing that fixes this for me is constantly plugging and replugging the cable until it works.

Thank you. This (kind of) worked for me.

So far, unplugging and plugging in the USBc cable to the MacBook has worked but stopped working today, oddly. We've had a morning of power outages which may have effected something.

I don't have 1.2 Display Port as an option in BenQ monitor. It was set to 1.4. I selected the only other option of 1.1 and the problem is solved ... for now. We will have to see.

What is strange is how this issue comes and goes.

My issue doesn't seem to be consistent, other than consistently being an issue.

Today I was able to get my LG 43" to work with all resolution settings by plugging in USB-C on "passenger side rear" port on MBP. Previously that port didn't make a difference. Turn on MBP, settings are not good. Change LG Display Port to 1.2. Restart MBP while making sure LG monitor stays powered on and no power save mode, and then correct resolution settings are there. If MBP goes to sleep; wash, rinse, repeat.

Previously if I switched Display Port settings I lost all picture on LG monitor. Today it works.