MacBook Pro not extending to LG 32-inch monitor

Hello, I've trouble in using my LG 32 inch external monitor that is connected to my MacBook Pro. I bought this monitor a week ago and it was working fine without any issue for couple of days. Later, I am unable to drag screen from MacBook to external screen. I've tried using different cables with no luck.


When I connected this monitor to my MacBook M1, it connects without any problem. I've tried using adapter and still issue remains.


I assume there's some issue with MacBook Pro settings. Could someone guide me please? This is important for my day-to-day work life.


Thanks a lot!!

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 28, 2026 8:33 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 30, 2026 9:08 AM

it is not clear that you have successfully removed the required preferences. I suggest using Finder and this procedure:


For MacOS 12 Monterey and some later versions, some users got relief by deleting some preferences files, then Restarting.

To access the folder using Finder for the system-wide preference

Copy and paste this string into:

Finder > Go menu > Go to Folder


/Library/Preferences


then find and delete this file:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver


-AND- To access the folder for your-user preference

Copy and paste this string into:

Finder > Go menu > Go to Folder


~/Library/Preferences


then find and delete whichever of these two files you find:

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.<UUID>.plist -OR-

~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver.<UUID>.plist


-- where [~] tilde is an active abbreviation for "current user"

-- and <UUID> is a string of hexadecimal numbers unique to your system, grouped as 8-4-4-4-8 hexadecimal digits


Restart REQUIRED after these deletions.


11 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 30, 2026 9:08 AM in response to srinivazs

it is not clear that you have successfully removed the required preferences. I suggest using Finder and this procedure:


For MacOS 12 Monterey and some later versions, some users got relief by deleting some preferences files, then Restarting.

To access the folder using Finder for the system-wide preference

Copy and paste this string into:

Finder > Go menu > Go to Folder


/Library/Preferences


then find and delete this file:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver


-AND- To access the folder for your-user preference

Copy and paste this string into:

Finder > Go menu > Go to Folder


~/Library/Preferences


then find and delete whichever of these two files you find:

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.<UUID>.plist -OR-

~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver.<UUID>.plist


-- where [~] tilde is an active abbreviation for "current user"

-- and <UUID> is a string of hexadecimal numbers unique to your system, grouped as 8-4-4-4-8 hexadecimal digits


Restart REQUIRED after these deletions.


Jan 29, 2026 12:46 PM in response to srinivazs

You could try this. It shouldn't be necessary, but sometimes it fixes problems with the Mac recognizing multiple monitors when a bad preferences file (rather than a cable, adapter, or dock issue) is behind the problem.


Disconnect the external monitor. Then,

  • In /Library/Preferences/, delete com.apple.windowserver.plist and com.apple.windowserver.displays.plist
  • In ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/, delete com.apple.windowserver.XXXXXXXXXX.plist and com.apple.windowserver.displays.XXXXXXXXXX.plist


If some of these are missing, delete the ones that are there. Note that ~/Library is the user-level Library folder, a folder that the Finder likes to hide, although there are ways of forcing the Finder to show it.


Restart the Mac.

Jan 29, 2026 10:28 AM in response to srinivazs

that is a 1920 by 1080 display at 8 bits/color, with refresh rates up to 100 Hz.

interfaces include

2x HDMI 1.4

Analog VGA


HDMI cables you want for HDMI-only Displays (higher resolutions than 720p TV sets) are marked as Certified with an anti-counterfeiting tag and are labeled:


"PREMIUM High Speed HDMI cable" or that + "with Ethernet" (up to 4K at 30Hz) --OR--

ULTRA High Speed HDMI cable" or that + "48G" (supports higher resolutions and backward-compatible)


Cables with No Certification tags are good for your standard 720p TV set, and not much more.


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.


When choosing to convert from USB-C, the USB-C portion of the cable, up to the converter electronics, should be no longer than one meter at this resolution.


Using a different cable is a check against failed cables. It does nothing to address cables that and not high enough spec for the job.

Jan 29, 2026 10:16 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Model: LG 32MR50C

Cable: HDMI direct connection between Mac and monitor. Also, I’ve used type C adapter that connects Mac and it has HDMI port in it which connects to monitor. The cable length would be 1m


Note: I’ve used two different cable with no luck. However, this same setup works with my MacBook Air M1 laptop.


once again I presume this is something related toto Display settings as this monitor worked for two or three days without any adapter in place.

Jan 30, 2026 12:17 AM in response to Servant of Cats

I just got following files and I removed/deleted it. I restarted my Mac and once again I am unable to drag my screen to external monitor.  

 

srinivasan.govindraj$ rm com.apple.windowserver.displays.plist

override rw-r--r-- root/admin for com.apple.windowserver.displays.plist?


Is there anything else I could to make this setup work? Any help would be greatly appreciated from you guys. Thanks

Jan 30, 2026 9:05 AM in response to srinivazs

srinivazs wrote:

I am pretty sure there's no issue with the HDMI cable as this was working for couple of days and then all of sudden it stopped working. As I said earlier, with same HDMI or Type-C adapter, I am able to drag screen using my another Mac Air M1.


I am pretty sure you are telling us your display is not being recognized.

I suggest you make absolutely certain your cables are adequate, as I described above, and if not, then replace them with ones that are adequate.



MacBook Pro not extending to LG 32-inch monitor

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