Displayport audio not working with Thunderbolt dock

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Level 1

11 points

Displayport audio not working with Thunderbolt dock

My MBP 16" 2019 connects to my Belkin Thunderbolt 3 dock Pro using a single thunderbolt 3 cable. This dock in turn is connected to my Dell UP2516D monitor by Displayport.

Video is working fine, just no audio over DP.

Connecting to the very same dock with my Dell XPS is giving me no trouble at all, audio is fine.

Connecting directly from my MBP to the monitor using a USB-C to DP cable is also working fine.

It seems DP audio passthrough has broken. I have found others online experiencing the same problem.

My config:

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

MacOS Big Sur 11.5.2

I have tried resetting the NVRAM to no avail.

Anyone encountered this and has found a solution?

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Aug 17, 2021 7:13 AM

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Answer 1

FmasterX Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 30, 2021 10:07 AM in response to Jeff_W.

Unfortunately, this didn't help. When leaving the laptop open when connected to the monitor, it works sometimes. Not all the time or intermittently. When using the laptop in clamshell mode (closed lid) it never works.

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Answer 2

dawngreg08

Community Specialist

Sep 5, 2021 4:52 AM in response to FmasterX

Hey FmasterX,

Thanks for getting back to us!

Below is an article that will provide how to use external monitors with your Mac.

Use external monitors with your Mac

We also want to provide the article for using AirPlay to stream video or mirror your device’s screen.

Use AirPlay to stream video or mirror your device’s screen

All the best.

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Answer 3

peekaye

Level 1

12 points

Sep 9, 2021 12:42 PM in response to FmasterX

I have the same issue, except my monitor is directly connected to my MBP via Thunderbolt -> DisplayPort cable.

I do not have this problem with a 2017 15" MBP.

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Answer 4

FmasterX Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 11, 2021 5:37 AM in response to peekaye

Strange, isn't it? It seems to be very specific to this MBP model and Big Sur.

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Answer 5

Jeff_W.

Community Specialist

Aug 18, 2021 7:01 AM in response to FmasterX

Hello FmasterX,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

If we understand your post correctly, DP audio passthrough isn't working. We'd like to help!

Let's try an SMC reset.

How to reset the SMC of your Mac

We also recommend starting in safe mode. Sometimes just starting in this mode and then restarting can resolve issues like this: How to use safe mode on your Mac

You can also create another user on your Mac and test to see if you experience the same issue.

Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

You may want to also run Disk Utility which will check for and fix errors related to the formatting and directory structure of a Mac storage device.

Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!

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Displayport audio not working with Thunderbolt dock

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