Level 1

6 points

4K Monitor Only Displaying 2560x1440p

I recently bought a new monitor (Acer Predator XB323QK) which has USB-C Power Delivery for using with my 2019 Macbook Pro 16". Im using an Apple Thunderbolt 3 Cable between the 2 devices. When first booting up and trying it out, it worked great and showed the monitor in full resolution as it should. I chose the middle option when choosing the scaling which stated that it would slow performance but i didn't mind.

However upon the second time booting up my system and each 10-20 times after, the monitor is now only showing the option on 2560x1440p and doesn't actually give me the scaling option where you can choose the text size and it tells you that it will effect the performance. It now only shows me the actual resolutions I can choose from and 2560x1440p is the highest and it is really obviously dropped.

Im a photo editor and its is very obvious and hindering my work.

Ive tried unplugging and plugging back and but it will not go back to what it was like when i first used it.

Thanks.

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Jul 31, 2023 6:53 AM

Top-ranking reply

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Posted on Jul 31, 2023 7:24 AM

Okay, MattLens, since you don’t have an m1/m2 Mac ( Apple silicon) you can do something, try this first :

reset smc/pmu and zap pram 3-4 times on startup per this link : https://www.macworld.com/article/224955/how-to-reset-a-macs-nvram-pram-and-smc.html then see what’s going on..I presume you know that holding down the “option” key while going into system prefs> display/ monitor will get you the scaled for display choice every time…

John b

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30 replies

MattLens Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 3, 2023 8:22 AM in response to MattLens

I have also noticed that my external hard drives that were connected to the usb ports on the monitor now do not work because previously their information was being transferred to my MPB through the USB-C cable. So will now have to have cables all connected to my MPB again.

Pawan333

Level 1

8 points

Jan 28, 2024 4:39 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the reply. May I please your preference here? display port to thunderbolts or hdmi to thunderbolts for better resolution? And do you have any recommendations on the cable to choose from Amazon please?

Jan 28, 2024 4:47 PM in response to Pawan333

HDMI was invented for HD TV sets. it works great at its original resolution of 720i or 720p. At higher resolutions, it quickly develops issues that are complex to solve, and the cables and adapters required to solve are NOT intuitive. It should be avoided when possible.

Pawan333

Level 1

8 points

Jan 29, 2024 3:54 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hello Grant, Unfortunately all below cables are giving me the same problem.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B098LM74C8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09J55JYN9?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09M3BFHPP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Not sure if there is any solution to this problem. Thanks!

Pawan333

Level 1

8 points

Jan 29, 2024 5:58 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hello Grant, Below are the details

MacBook Pro 15 Inches 2018

Processor: 2.9 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i9

Graphics: Radeon Pro Vega 20 4 GB Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

MacOS: Sonoma 14.2.1.

I am not using any other adaptor, docks and it's straight from MacBook Pro Type C to Monitor's DP.

MattLens Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 31, 2023 7:40 AM in response to Johnb-one

Hi John, I will look into and try what you have suggested. Currently when I got into display settings, this is all I see even if I do or do not hold the option key.

MattLens Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 31, 2023 10:08 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

When I have my Pro open and not in clamshell, this is what I see on the display settings for both screens.

Are there any settings I should change on my monitor that might resolve the issue?

Thanks.

MattLens Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 1, 2023 9:40 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

When I select "extend display" nothing changes in resolution, it only does what is says on the tin (extends the display)

MattLens Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 2, 2023 2:20 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Yes I get quite a lot to choose from but they are all lower than 2560x1440p.

Pawan333

Level 1

8 points

Jan 28, 2024 4:27 PM in response to MattLens

Hello Matt, were you able to resolve this issue? I am getting the same on my system. If yes then were cables the issue?

Pawan333

Level 1

8 points

Jan 28, 2024 4:30 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hello Grant, do you suggest to change the cable? I used https://amzn.eu/d/9hu0Gby this one but I have got the same issue Matt mentioned.

Pawan333

Level 1

8 points

Jan 28, 2024 4:53 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks Grant, so you mean display port to thunderbolts USB C with length less than a meter should resolve this problem right?

Jan 28, 2024 4:55 PM in response to Pawan333

that is correct.

Jan 29, 2024 5:35 AM in response to Pawan333

pawan333--

the first cable is too long, but the second and third should be working for you.

what what model-year MacBook Pro?

are you using any other docks, adapters, or cables in the connection?

Pawan333

Level 1

8 points

Jan 30, 2024 11:38 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Unfortunately not getting any higher resolution. 2880 by 1800 is the higher I could see with all 3 cables.

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4K Monitor Only Displaying 2560x1440p