Big Sur 11.1 4K monitor resolution settings gone since update

Updated to 11.1 on my 16 inch MacBook Pro two days ago, ever since I can no longer run my LG 4K monitor at anything above 720p/1024x768.


Have reset SMC & PRAM. Have also OPTION + Click scaled for more options - no dice.



On a google search quite a few other people reporting this issues (also with previous beta versions of Big Sur).


My last option is reinstall macos, which I really don't want to do this is a bad time for this to have happened a lot of work on hunched over a laptop screen cursing the aches! I'm too old for this crap :)


So wondering...


Is there a known fix for this?

Is this a known problem (I can't find anything on these forums when I search)

If this is a known issue, is there a fix incoming from apple?


Thanks!

Posted on Dec 17, 2020 1:22 AM

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Posted on Jan 5, 2021 3:26 PM

FYI - this worked for me. I had to change it in my BENQ's menu. Changing down to DisplayPort 1.2 has fixed the problem for me.

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36 replies

Feb 6, 2021 12:39 PM in response to fuzzylogic_uk

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.

Jan 28, 2021 5:28 AM in response to Snoshark

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

Feb 2, 2021 10:05 AM in response to Esteban Mendoza



Thanks, this worked for me!

Esteban Mendoza wrote:

1. 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:
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


Dec 30, 2020 1:03 AM in response to VikingOSX

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.

Jan 5, 2021 8:52 AM in response to fuzzylogic_uk

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.

Jan 11, 2021 4:41 AM in response to jordanz

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.

Jan 11, 2021 9:28 AM in response to BDStanley

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.

Feb 2, 2021 3:55 AM in response to fuzzylogic_uk

SO I had apple support call me shortly after xmas and take a diagnostics dump from my mac. I had high hopes that this issue would be fixed in the next Big Sur release 11.2.


Installed the 11.2 today with baited breathe hoping the issue would be fixed.


Initially when I plugged the USBC monitor cable back in I was getting 4K resolution but sson noticed the display was running at a max of 30Hz, but could not get it back to 60Hz.


I notied I haddisbaled DiplayPort1.2 option in the LG 4K OSD. Tried re-enabling DisplayPort1.2, and since then have not been able to get 4K resolution at all, whether I enable DisplayPort 1.2.


Quite Frustrating experience constantly testing myriad settings. I now have my Apple 4K adapter permanently attached to my PC instead of using it for travel. AT this point I think apple should gift everyone with this a problem a free USB/HDMI/usbc adapter as this is a very expensive item and the only workaround.

Jan 5, 2021 7:19 PM in response to jordanz

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.


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Big Sur 11.1 4K monitor resolution settings gone since update

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