MacBook Pro M4 Pro HDMI External Display Problems
I have an external display (Acer CBA272) which works perfectly with an older MacBook Pro M1 and used to work perfectly with my newer MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro chip (all fully updated on the OS front).
Suddenly, a few months ago, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro stopped detecting the external monitor when plugged in via HDMI directly and via HDMI using a USB-C adaptor (the external display does not have a Thunderbolt connection).
Strangest of all though is that, when connected, the monitor recognises that it is plugged into the computer (just not the other way around) and there is also a work around that will allow the MacBook Pro to detect the monitor. If I connect an iPad as an external display first, then close the lid on the MacBook Pro M4 Pro, I will get a signal to the external monitor and it can be set up as the main display. I can then disconnect the iPad and use the external monitor as normal. Clearly though, this is an annoying work around and only works when I have the iPad around. But it does show that there is no problem with the cable or the monitor, just the process of macOS recognising it.
Apple Support have checked the device and they have confirmed that there is no hardware issue with the MacBook Pro M4 Pro. I have used multiple HDMI cables including the Apple recommended Ultra HD Belkin cable, plus the MacBook Pro M4 Pro works fine over any HDMI cable to my television.
My sense is, therefore, that something is wrong at a software level and, although I can't find exactly similar views online, it looks like others have had problems with Sonoma, MacBook Pro M4 Pro models and external displays. It feels terrible that such an expensive Pro-level device should require such an annoying workaround for what should be a very straightforward task. I'm looking, therefore, to see if others are facing a similar problem and whether you might have found any solutions.