Freezing issue: Studio Display and Apple Mouse while M3 Max is in clamshell

Question

Level 1

17 points

Freezing issue: Studio Display and Apple Mouse while M3 Max is in clamshell

Hello everyone.

Really hoping someone might be able to help here, this is driving me nuts! ;-)

So here's my set up: I have a new M3 max MBP, connected Keychron keyboard (via a USB 4 / Thunderbolt port), Apple Magic Mouse 2 Wireless (A1657) (connected via Bluetooth) and a Mac Studio Display. Running the latest iOS and most up to date version for the Studio Display.

The MBP is new, I came over from a late 2020 MBP (the last one with the touchbar!). My set up was working perfectly until I got the new M3 Max model.

The issue: when I have my new MBP in its dock, in clamshell mode, I open it up to activate the Studio Display. Then I close it, put it back in the dock, and want to just continue working on only the Studio Display (no double screen, my desk is not big enough ... ).

However, with the new MBP, when I close the MBP, the image on the Studio display does either one of a few things:

(i) the Apple Mouse click does not work

(ii) the Apple Mouse does not work at all (does not move)

(iii) the whole screen freezes / nothing works (including the keyboard)

The only solution I have found is to restart the MBP each and every time I want to use it and put it back in clamshell mode. This seems to reset things. But, it's a big hassle and time waster, and especially frustrating when things were working fine with the late 2020 model.

Any ideas team? I have messed around with the resolution. I have made the Studio Display the main screen. I have tried locking the MBP when I leave my desk.

But I am completely lost. Any help would be hugely appreciated. I will send huge karma!

S

P.S. As an aside, is it necessary to open up the MBP every time to 'wake' the Studio Display? And then put it back in its dock? It's what I have always done but surely there is an easier way?

MacBook Pro (M3 Max, 2023)

Posted on Jan 8, 2024 5:40 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Stryder23

Level 1

0 points

Feb 5, 2024 5:35 AM in response to samdb90

I have discovered that locking the screen and unlocking it again solves this issue, here's the steps to reproduce:

Plug in Macbook in clamshell mode, Studio Dispplay screen loads but is immediately frozen, unresponsive, unless the MacBook is reopened. MacBook returns to being unresponsive if it is closed again.
Using the external keyboard, lock the screen using the touchID button. The lock screen should now appear on the frozen Studio Display
Unlocking using touch ID / apple watch seems to reset whatever was freezing the screen.

Reply

Answer 2

Feb 7, 2024 1:55 AM in response to samdb90

Another update here. Having isolated the issue to being the lock/unlocking of the screen, I have turned of the sign in using apple watch feature and that seems to have fixed it.

Reply

Answer 3

Galaxy28

Level 1

8 points

Jan 12, 2024 9:29 AM in response to samdb90

I think it is a bug because I am affected too, but it happens once every couple of days, not any single time I put the Mac in clamshell mode. Rebooting or force quitting the WindowServer process in Activity Monitor temporarily fixes it. Certainly changing battery and display settings won't solve it.

Regarding the P.S., a bluetooth keyboard or mouse should be able to wake the MacBook with the lid closed and the Studio Display.

Reply

Answer 4

hcsitas

Level 6

13,970 points

Jan 8, 2024 8:07 AM in response to samdb90

Try with settings changed as follows:

Enable "Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off"
Disable Wake for network access entirely
Turn off "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" - i.e. to Never Sleep
Disable Power Nap
Turn the display off on timer, say after 10 minutes (under Lock Screen) for both battery and power adapter

Finally, do not manual-sleep, shut for long absences/overnights and let the above settings do their stuff for normal operation.

Reply

Answer 5

samdb90 Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 13, 2024 5:36 AM in response to pruppert

Hey hcitas and pruppert,

So, the problem seems to have been resolved for the time being. hcitas, I can't thank you enough!

I have tried to work out what did the trick, I think it could be one of three things:

1) Enabling "Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off"

2) Disabling Wake for network access entirely

hcitas, I did a bit of research and apparently powernap is no longer a setting available for with non-intel Macs (i.e. the M family): https://alkhaleejtoday.co/technology/5479664/Mac-M1-computers-that-never-sleep.html - is that right?

For the other thing you suggested - to turn off "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" - I think that option might only exist of you don't have an SSD? Which I don't as I have the new M3.

3) The third thing that could have done the trick is just good old patience. Which makes me feel a bit embarrassed! Basically, just plugging the laptop into the Studio Display again, after it has been in clamshell mode all night by my bed (for example) and waiting for a few moments and then pressing enter on my KeyChron keyboard, the log in screen appears as expected on the monitor and peripherals work fine! but equally it could have been changing the above setting too, goodness knows!

Reply

Answer 6

hcsitas

Level 6

13,970 points

Jan 9, 2024 1:25 AM in response to samdb90

Is your book on macOS Sonoma latest?

All good on the changes you’ve made thus far. As for Power Nap and hard disks, have you checked under Battery? Scroll all the way down and click on Advanced/Options if shown. Likewise, check the settings under Display > Advanced. You could also search for it in Settings.

Reply

Answer 7

hcsitas

Level 6

13,970 points

Jan 8, 2024 7:31 AM in response to samdb90

Could you post screenshots of the MacBook’s Battery, Display & Energy Saver settings please?

Reply

Answer 8

hcsitas

Level 6

13,970 points

Jan 9, 2024 3:10 AM in response to samdb90

Ok, let’s keep the settings while also switching gears (feel free to move over to the MacBook community at any time since as of now it doesn’t look like a Display issue.)

what does “MBP in its dock” mean exactly?
have you tried connecting the mouse & keyboard to the Display instead of MB?
Does it happen with a wired mouse?
are there any other peripherals that you haven’t yet mentioned?

Reply

Answer 9

samdb90 Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 9, 2024 1:12 AM in response to hcsitas

Hi Hcsitas, I was able to change the following two settings:

Enable "Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off" - done
Disable Wake for network access entirely - done (changed to 'never' - is that right?)

But, plugging the MBP in again this morning, and sticking ii into clamshell mode, it still froze when connecting to the Studio Display. DOh!

But I could not find the three options you refer to below, perhaps that's because I have a different MBP? Is says here that "Note: Some of the options may not be available, depending on your Mac" Set sleep and wake settings for your Mac - Apple Atbalsts (LV)

Turn off "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" - i.e. to Never Sleep
Disable Power Nap
I have the below screen for the 'lock screen' settings, what should I change here when you say "Turn the display off on timer, say after 10 minutes (under Lock Screen) for both battery and power adapter"?):

Once again, thank you so much.

Reply

Answer 10

Jan 18, 2024 1:04 AM in response to pruppert

Same problem here after updating to Sonoma on a 2021 MacBook Pro (I was previously on OS 12 I believe). Every morning when I get into work and I plug the MacBook in the studio display is unresponsive. If I open the MacBook I can use it as a dual screen, but closing it again freezes the studio display. Only thing that seems to work is a restart and then its fine for the rest of the day.

And by unresponsive I mean that I cannot see or launch any apps but I can use the mouse (just not click anything), its as though there is a hidden dialog box blocking me from doing anything on the studio display. The toolbar is greyed out, I can't interact with anything

Reply

Answer 11

samdb90 Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 8, 2024 7:48 AM in response to hcsitas

Thank you so much hcsitas! Lifesaver. Okay so here are screenshots (including 'display' screenshots for both when the MBP is in clamshell mode (i.e. only the Studio Display showing in display) and open (i.e. both the Studio Display and MBP showing in display).

Reply

Answer 12

samdb90 Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 9, 2024 2:54 AM in response to hcsitas

Thanks pal, yes I am running Sonoma 14.2.1

For Power Nap and hardisks, the screen shots I have posted under ‘battery’ is all I have. When I click ‘options …’ all that appears is those four options in the first screenshot I posted at 7:48am on 8 Jan.

I have searched for Power Nap and when I find that the four options (ie when I click ‘options’ above) appears.

for Display > Advanced this is what I get:

Reply

Answer 13

awerry

Level 1

9 points

Feb 21, 2024 7:30 AM in response to samdb90

M3 Macbook with Studio Display works perfectly in clamshell mode. M1 Macbook does not. As others have tried, I've switched on and off various settings to see what can fix this. To no avail.

Just an observation. We are paying WAY TOO MUCH money for Apple computers and Apple displays for them not to work together seamlessly.

"Apple just works" is sadly no longer true.

Reply