M1 mac mini display keeps losing scaling

Figured out a workaround to restore display scaling for my Mac mini M1 and LG HDR 4K display, using Hammerspoon (watch for display wake) and displayplacer (set resolution). Works for Big Sur 11.2 - hopefully won't need it in future updates.

The quirky thing is that for it to work properly, I have displayplacer set to a smaller resolution first, and then the desired resolution immediately after. It switches so fast you don't even see the smaller res. Here's sample code for Hammerspoon.

function displayWatch(eventType)
	if (eventType == hs.caffeinate.watcher.screensDidWake) then
		hs.execute("/opt/homebrew/bin/displayplacer 'id:XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX res:2560x1440 hz:60 color_depth:8 scaling:on origin:(0,0) degree:0'")
		hs.execute("/opt/homebrew/bin/displayplacer 'id:XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX res:3008x1692 hz:60 color_depth:8 scaling:on origin:(0,0) degree:0'")
	end
end

displayWatcher = hs.caffeinate.watcher.new(displayWatch)
displayWatcher:start()

I have the same issue. My workaround is that when it happens, I turn off the display physically and turn it back on. I also opened a case with apple, will see if the next update solves it. I’m running 11.2 beta.

I'm using the same workaround. Most irritating when you leave your desk and every time you have to turn your monitor off and on. Using the M1 Mac Mini and an Acer ET430K monitor. Had a call with Apple support. They couldn't fix the problem. I hope an update will fix it.

I have to correct myself. Only the 11.2 RC has been out, and unfortunately does not fix it on the HDMI, but the usb-c/thunderbolt connection seems like working. Had to reboot multiple times, changing cables, etc, but finally, it is working.

Mine does this constantly, it changes from default for display to scaled and then comes out at 1024x768, i literally just go in a click default for display again and its okay, its a pain to be honest, i think im gonna try and create a shortcut somehow

I'm just furious now... Finally, the last beta solved this scaling issue at least on the USB-C / Thunderbolt port. I happily installed the final 11.2 today and voilà the scaling is wrong again. I just can't believe that it's happening and considering the huge numbers of vga related issues, I'm hugely disappointed in Apple's competency solving this whole mess... I'm more upset because the other issues (kernel panics, bluetooth connectivity, etc.) as well combined with this... It's just not the experience I'm used to have with a new apple product... It's a shame.

Apple are aware of the issue and that it is a current inherent issue in the os, (not he hardware thank god (not ye anyway lol) )

I have two dell 4k displays... one in USB c and one in HDMI... the HDMI turns off every so often briefly, the resolutions are not similar between the two different outputs (same monitors though) and also does not automatically turn on from sleep.

Watching this space for fix.

I use a Mac mini M1 with LG HDR 4K via USB-C, and lose scaling whenever the display goes to sleep. I use displayplacer (see link below) to restore the correct scaling quickly. In my case, I made an Automator application that runs the shell script. Can also run the shell script or terminal command directly from BetterTouchTool assigned to a keyboard shortcut. Works fine with Big Sur macOS 11.2 so far.

https://github.com/jakehilborn/displayplacer

Exactly same issue for me. Using M1 MacBook Pro 13inch with Big Sur 11.1. What I do is, just go to Sys Preferences > Monitor, and manually adjusting it to the correct scaling of 2560x1440. Annoying...

It's funny, that you're fine with it, but actually, I've been using apple computers for almost like 20 years and this is my first one what I have so much issue with it... Starting with bluetooth issues, finally It's been mostly resolved, but the bt range is still not good. Kernel panics... Sometimes I wake up the mac and it seems it has restarted itself recently, showing me a screen that it has been recovered from an error. The debug logs shows a watchdog kernel panic event. The external display and the whole graphics subsystem is kind of brittle... The screen starts to flicker without any reason sometimes, it generates vertical lines after a while, then the whole screen goes blank and the mini restarts itself... Then this constant scaling reset issue. So don't tell me, that it's cool with you, as I can see a LOT of people suffering with this. These issues should be addressed quickly.

Actually, the problem beneath is that Big Sur and M1 handles the display like an iPad, as the gfx subsystem is the same. The EDID parameter of the display should be read properly to be able to adjust itself, but seems like, it does not. The System report page shows that my display is a 5k UHD display, but It's only a 4k display, so there is an issue gathering that. My display is a hardware-calibrated type, so the Benq software is able to communicate with it and store the LUT profile inside the monitor itself. Since the upgrade the software is unable to do so, as it does not recognize it as of the changes in the gfx architecture in Big Sur and M1. A recent upgrade made it available, with some bugs and restrictions. Some developers complaining, that the way they used to operate with displays has been changed a lot and there is very little documentation about how to extract and work with EDID parameters, etc. Seems like this aspect of the OS has not been thought out well, so there is a different approach is needed.