Studio Display USB Connectivity Loss

Try

• Logitech & Belkin on MacBook USB-C (use adapter) in sequence to isolate if one or both of them are related to the problem
• new Apple thunderbolt cable

Ive been having this issue for a few months as well. Only difference is Im using a Mac Studio instead of a MBP. but I get the same results. I notice it usually happens when im watching a video either YT or locally. I had my Logitech Mouse and KB receiver hooked up via a satechi hub. I tried without the hub and other devices with the same results. Im currently have my devices hooked directly to my studio and it runs perfect. I have an open case with Apple about this. If you haven't already opened a case I suggest you do.

Sure!

To reset PRAM: Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

To reinstall the macOS: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

The good news is that this keeps all of your files and preferences... but I made a backup just in case. The time shown for the reinstall goes by quicker than it says. Mine said 3+ hrs originally but it was about an hour.

The shipping confirmation shows that Apple is sending a Thunderbolt 2 cable instead of Thunderbolt 3.

They won't send the TB3 cable until they get the other one back, so it'll be a while until I can report back.

No one knows for sure if it's hardware or software related yet.

I would open a case with Apple if you can. The more people that report it to raise awareness the better. They had me reinstall the macOS and sent a replacement TB4 cable but I'm still having issues. Next step would be bringing it to the Apple Store and hope that the issue occurs while I'm there.

Do you have a Wacom tablet attached to the display by any chance? If so, try hooking it up to the computer instead. In my case, it seems to be more stable but I'm still testing.

Since Wacom seems to be the peripheral that's causing the issue for me, I reached out to them and got this response:

"we do recommend to use our devices connected only directly to the computer, the usage of external USB ports from Hubs, Adapters or External Devices such as Apple Keyboards or Monitors may lead to issues with the connections due to the nature of the connection and the forwarding of the USB Identifier information, so in this case please use your tablet in your computer instead of the Studio Display"

Hopefully down the road a Wacom driver update and/or Studio Display firmware update may resolve the issue, but maybe mice/tablets can't reliably be attached to the display at the moment.

It seems my issue is only addressed when I switch the port to the Macbook Pro ports. I am pretty sure the 3 USB-C ports have some issues that warrants a careful look from Apple

To replicate: plug in a logitech receiver (adaptor to USB-A first) on the studio display USB-C ports, and get the display to sleep, cannot wake up.

My fix, which is not ideal, was to run two usb cables to my MacBook- one to my usb hub and one to the Studio display. I haven’t had any issues with my keyboard or other devices randomly turning off since doing that. It seems like the Studio Display cannot handle usb hubs reliably which is disappointing.

I've been dealing with this issue for a while, got my Studio Display not long after they were released. Running a Macbook M1 Pro (14") with it in Clamshell mode.

For me it seems to occur randomly- my connected USB devices (several external hard drives, and a Macally USB keyboard) will disconnect. I get the annoying message about not ejecting my external drives as well. It appears to be electrical in nature, because the backlighting on the USB lights on my keyboard also turn off. I have tried multiple USB hubs and no matter what I still get the issue.

Another symptom of this issue, and one that I haven't noticed here is that when Firmware updates come along for the Studio Display,. mine will fail every time if I have any USB devices plugged in. I had to call Apple and learned that in order for the firmware updates to work, I need to unplug the studio monitor for a few minutes, disconnect all USB devices and connect only my MBP and turn it back on. That allows me to unbrick my Studio Display.

I would love to buy a hub that I know would work with all my devices. I am only using a hub because I want to easily connect/disconnect my laptop to my Studio display. That seems like a reasonable use case. Come on apple?? Please fix.

It's clear to me that there is something wrong.

Ok, do update. Try also without clamshell.

Let's hope this is it:

https://9to5mac.com/2022/08/04/apple-studio-display-firmware-update-speaker-problem/

I have this same problem as well. 16" M1 Max MacBook Pro connected via the included Thunderbolt cable.

The two devices I have connected (external Seagate hard drive and Wacom tablet) disconnect simultaneously randomly from the Studio Display, and requires a reboot of either the display or MacBook to restore functionality.

Another quirk is that when this happens, you cannot access the display tab in system preferences.

When the same peripherals are connected to the MacBook Pro directly, they never disconnect at all.

Interesting since it was brought up, I'm also using it in clamshell mode when this occurs. I'll definitely try the energy saver tip to see if it helps.

I would love to get this solved, and was thinking about calling Apple support soon. Just slightly hesitant since it could be a while for a replacement or repair. Hopefully it can just be fixed with a software update.

If we're lucky it's something a firmware update on the display will fix, but so far nothing from Apple. Very generic, on/off, reinstall OS type advice from everyone that has gone that route. I've tried it with a variety of hardware connected to the monitor and haven't seen anything that seems to cause it more or less often. I would note I haven't seen any issues with the LG ultrafine 5k monitor that I use at another location. If you can find one and are still in your return window on the Studio display I might suggest going that route...