M1 Mac Mini LG Ultrafine 32" Monitor Periodic Black Screen Fix

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Level 1

5 points

M1 Mac Mini LG Ultrafine 32" Monitor Periodic Black Screen Fix

I have an M1 Mac Mini and upgraded the monitor this year (model 32UP83AK-W). Great monitor, but I started encountering the black screen problem some others have listed. Essentially, while using the monitor, it would drop the display and show a black screen for 1-2 seconds, then start displaying again.

The monitor had a sixth sense to only do this while I was concentrating on something like Xcode or Numbers.

After reading about the other problems with LG monitors, I tried switching the display frequency from 60 Hz to 30 Hz. This seems to have removed the problem. There is a barely perceptible lag in normal activities, but not enough to be disconcerting.

Does anyone know if there is a way to get the LG firmware level through MacOS, System Settings or anything else?

Mac mini, macOS 26.5

Posted on Jul 3, 2026 9:21 PM

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Answer 1

rjldubois

Level 4

1,026 points

Jul 3, 2026 11:32 PM in response to HankMurphy

Hello HankMurphy, and welcome to the Apple Support Community.

Changing from 60 Hz to 30 Hz improving the issue may indicate a problem related to the display connection, cable, or how the external monitor is handling the video signal.

You can try these steps:

Make sure your Mac mini is updated to the latest available macOS version.
Try another compatible high-quality HDMI or USB-C/Thunderbolt cable.
Disconnect and reconnect the display, then check:
System Settings > Displays
and verify the resolution and refresh rate settings.
Test another port on the Mac mini if possible.

For the LG monitor firmware, updates are usually provided through the display manufacturer’s own software or support resources, not directly through macOS System Settings.

Useful links:

Connect displays to your Mac - Apple Support

Use Bluetooth accessories with your Apple TV - Apple Support

Please let us know if changing the cable, port, or display settings resolves the black screen issue.

Your feedback may help other Apple Support Community users with similar external display problems.

🙏🏻

Have a nice day.

And one more thing…

Never forget to think different.



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Answer 2

Sep 17, 2026 4:55 PM in response to HankMurphy

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.

Cables 'shipped in the box' with many displays can be "lowest bidder" cables that are not up to high-end display use. Cables with no markings 'found' behind your TV set are unlikely to be good enough.

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.

Because HDMI cables use higher voltages than Thunderbolt or DisplayPort, practical cable length limits are fairly long, on the order of 3 meters.

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Answer 3

Jul 5, 2026 7:21 PM in response to HankMurphy

Exactly what model LG UltraFine is this? (or a link to its exact specs)

What cables, adapters and Docks are being used to make the connection to the display? please mention EVERY item in the chain.

also, how long are these cables?

what sort of work are you doing on this display?

How important is 10 bits/color (billions) Vs 8 bits/color (millions)

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Answer 4

HankMurphy Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 17, 2026 4:05 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Monitor is LG 32UP83AK-W, 32-inch Ultrafine 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Computer Monitor, 60Hz, connected via HDMI.

When I started, the only connection was the HDMI cable which came with the monitor, and a USB connection to which I connected a mouse. HDMI might be one meter, didn't measure it.

The 30 Hz change has worked for two months now. I don't play games or watch movies on the Mini, so 60 Hz is probably overkill. In any event, I hardly notice any difference.

I normally use it for Xcode development. However, one project I assign to my class involves colors, and having accurate representation is important to me.

I theorize that the M1 Mini doesn't provide as much power to external devices as later Macs. In particular, the Apple A1379 DVD drive also is reported not to work reliably unless plugged in directly to one of the precious USB-A ports on the M1. Might work if a powered bus / dock was used. Or (probably more likely in relation to this problem) LG may be more finicky in power requirements. I'm not interested in researching it further.

In any event, for those of you dealing with the maddening LG monitor problems, setting display frequency to 30 Hz may work fine - try it before you tear out all your hair!

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