studio display not detected by macbook pro 2019 after sequoia update

Question

studio display not detected by macbook pro 2019 after sequoia update

cable connection not the issue. have tried the usual dis-/re-connect procedures. have tried powerdowns and reboots. have tried nvram reset reboot.

had the issue soon after update to sequoia. nvram reset cleared it. display periodically went dark but was able to recover via display power cycling and/or display dis-/re-connect ops.

this moment, none of that is working anymore. would like to try a studio display firmware update if any but this moment System Settings do not see the studio display -- so, that seems undoable

MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Feb 9, 2025 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

wayne mfromfairfax Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 9, 2025 6:15 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant, you've been a help (thank you).

On a hunch before your latest, I powered up my deprecated MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015) to which I'd formerly attached this Cinema Display. That hook-up required no Thunderbolt adapter. Connected today to the deprecated Mid 2015 MacBook Pro, this old display is gleaming like a newborn.

The fault could still be a Sequoia issue -- this deprecated MacBook Pro Retina runs on Monterey 12.7.6 -- latest macos for it. But given sporadic MacBook Pro 2019 success before failure, I'm best-guessing it's a hardware issue -- a presumed fault in my 6.5-inch Thunderbolt cable adapter, required by the MacBook Pro 2019, and acquired about then. My more than several dis-/re-connects at the MacBook Pro 2019 over time may have exacerbated a short within the adapter.

So, before buying a replacement Display today, I'll first try a replacement adapter.

Model numbers have changed since I acquired my Model A1790 EMC 3062 adapter for the MacBook Pro 2019. This looks like what I need, though:

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

Thank you again, sir.

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Answer 2

Feb 9, 2025 2:13 PM in response to wayne mfromfairfax

The Mac does not rely on windows-like side-loaded "Drivers" which are actually packages of resolutions and settings for a specific display. Instead, it goes straight to the immutable source -- it asks the display itself.

To get a Mac display to become active, you need the Mac to query the display, and the display to answer with its name and capabilities. Otherwise, the display will not be shown as present, and no data will be sent to the display. "No signal detected" is generated by the DISPLAY, not by the Mac.

This query is only sent at certain times:

• at startup

• at wake from sleep — so momentarily sleeping and waking your Mac may work

• at insertion of the Mac-end of the display-cable, provided everything on that cable is ready-to-go

• hold the Option key while you click on the (Detect Display) button that will appear in Displays preferences (from another display)

so try doing some of those things and see if the display comes alive.

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Answer 3

Feb 9, 2025 2:17 PM in response to wayne mfromfairfax

that display has a detachable cable, which brings up the possibility that you are using a different Thunderbolt cable that the original.

¿are you using the original Apple Thunderbolt cable?

if not what cable are you using, and how long is it?

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Answer 4

Feb 9, 2025 3:00 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I've possibly misidentified my display model. Purchased in 2012, this has fixed, not removable, power and graphics cables on the backside. This may have been marketed (then) as Cinema Display?

Aside from that, all I wrote still stands, plus and to restate:

o non-detachable cables (hence, original cable, though for a long while now w/a Thunderbolt adapter)

o have tried sleep/wake-up, restarts and cable un-/re-plug ops in an attempt to generate a device recognition

o have tried clicks on Detect Display from System Settings (but nothing is detected)

Thank you for your reply -- any other suggestions come to mind?

This display did work for a while under Sequoia (after cures mentioned in my original post) suggesting it is hardware supported under Sequoia. There were occasional black-outs before Sequoia but none not readily fixed. I'm now concerned the display may have (finally) failed owing simply to age and that the timing w/the Sequoia upgrade may be only a coincidence as opposed to a cause?

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Answer 5

Feb 9, 2025 4:31 PM in response to wayne mfromfairfax

there is an Apple Thunderbolt Display and nine others called Cinema Display. ¿which is yours?

Apple Display

Size (Optimum Resolution)

Cinema Display Original (22-Inch)

22-Inch (1600x1024)

Cinema Display ADC (22-Inch)

22-Inch (1600x1024)

Cinema Display HD (23-Inch)

23-Inch (1920x1200)

Cinema Display 20-Inch

20-Inch (1680x1050)

Cinema Display 20-Inch (Aluminum)

20-Inch (1680x1050)

Cinema Display 23-Inch (Aluminum)

23-Inch (1920x1200)

Cinema Display 30-Inch (Aluminum)

30-Inch (2560x1600)

Cinema Display LED (24-Inch)

24-Inch (1920x1200)

Cinema Display LED (27-Inch)

27-Inch (2560x1440)

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Answer 6

Feb 9, 2025 4:49 PM in response to wayne mfromfairfax

OK. that one has a captive Mini DisplayPort cable. DisplayPort <-> Mini DisplayPort is a 'just wires' adapter, no re-drivers.

On modern Macs running recent macOS, the DisplayPort cable length is limited to one meter max. That says to me you should be using a very compact adapter applied to the cable, because the display's lead-in cord is almost a meter already.

But it is troubling to not see the display self-identify in Displays settings. That exchange takes place (at the times mentioned above) at low speed over the EDID wires, and is not cable-length sensitive.

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Answer 7

Feb 9, 2025 7:15 PM in response to wayne mfromfairfax

that adapter supports ONLY Thunderbolt displays on the ThunderBolt-2 side. it DOES NOT support your Mini DisplayPort display at all ever and no amount of additional adapters can make it work.

save your US$50. a far cheaper adapter will do the trick for you.

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