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Thunderbolt Display turns off randomly

I have a new Mac Mini 2011 i7 Quad CPU version. I have a Thunderbolt 27 inch display. I have found that the display randomly turns off and won't turn on when I use the keyboard or mouse. This occurs when I am doing stuff on the machine, it is not a display sleep issue. The first couple of times I had to use Remote Desktop to reboot the Mac Mini to fix the issue. The last time it happened I removed the Thunderbolt plug from the Mac Mini and reinstalled it and this fixed the issue. I have the latest software updates on the Mac Mini and the Thunderbolt Firmware update on the Display.

I am running Lion 10.7.1

Posted on Sep 21, 2011 9:35 PM

Top-ranking reply

Shawn Carey

Level 2

249 points

Posted on Feb 20, 2017 6:19 PM

No news here, just another data point for anyone who still cares. 😁

tl;dr: another instance of this issue improving with an external Thunderbolt cable.

2011 Mac Mini Server with Thunderbolt Display that started blacking out after 5+ years of being awesome. The blackouts increased in duration from 1-2 second flashes that recovered autonomously to apparently indefinite darkness that required a monitor power cycle or signal cable unplug/replug to recover.

I tried:

PRAM/SMC reset, multiple times.
Display settings hoakus poakus:
- reduce brightness
- disable automatic brightness adjustment
- disable power save
Software updates
All updates to TBD and Mac mini had been applied already. Even so, I downloaded and launched the standalone update installers from support.apple.com. Each installer indicated that the update was already installed.

The frequency of the blackouts had been increasing over the course of the last few weeks, until reaching a crescendo over the weekend where the display would remain illuminated for only a few seconds before needing another power cycle or signal cable dis/re-connect.

The number of posters to this thread who found relief from this issue by using an external Thunderbolt cable gave me hope. I picked up a new Thunderbolt cable from my local Apple Store today, and for the first time in a few weeks my TBD has been solid for more than a couple of hours.

I've seen enough posts in this thread to know that victory can never be declared on this issue, but I'll post updates over the next few weeks as I suspect at least a few folks are in my situation and ready to buy new hardware when Apple freshens up the desktop offerings. Until then a working TBD is the best possible setup for me.

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537 replies

bikkuri

Level 1

1 points

Oct 20, 2011 8:34 AM in response to ajoy1216

Changing your peripherals hoping to avoid the issue? Apple should come up with a solution, not the user.

And why return the display? We still don't know, whether the problem is software or hardware related. Or does Apple actually think the units are corrupted?

I haven't seen any statement from Apple admitting there are issues with the TBD.

Oct 20, 2011 4:48 PM in response to bikkuri

Apple have been in contact with me asking for additional information as they investigate this issue so they are definitely working on it.

Since I removed the firewire disks from the back of the display and also made the display the last in the Thunderbolt chain - I have a Promise R6 and LaCie Little Big Disk also connected - and also unchecked the autobrightness box I have had no blackouts. I unchecked the box on Saturday so that is 6 days blackout fee.

Oct 20, 2011 5:36 PM in response to WestVanPete

Just got off the phone with Apple support: havng the same as everybody issue I was requesting a replacement. I was advised that unchecking ambient light sensor in display preferences should take care of this problem. They promised hardware is OK and once 10.7.4 update is release - it'll take care of it. Will see... Hope it helps someone.

Oct 20, 2011 6:35 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

Going on day three...no blackouts on new screen since last reboot.

Have not updated TB firmware as directed by Apple. Just wanted to test out and see how long the out of the box display will last. This is my 2nd TB.

I did swap the Thunderbolt wires to plug into the Pegasus HD. This too, against advice of first Apple tech.

Nothing plugged into Thunderbolt display.

I'm leaving well enough alone for now.

Oct 22, 2011 7:53 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

I also had this problem when I connected a new Thunderbolt Display purchased about 1 week ago, to a new I7 Mac mini server running OSX Lion Server. The display has gone blank now on 4 times in the last week and only a power cycle to the display brings it back.

Initially the server ran with OSX 10.7.1 and the display, with factory-default firmware and had the problem.

Then display firmware was updated but still had the problem.

Later, applied updates to OSX to bring to 10.7.2 but still had the problem.

Having spent $AU 1,200 on what I thought would be the best display on the market...I am very unimpressed. Up until this point, I have been a loyal Samsung customer with over 30 screens bought in the last 6 years, all still in service and no failures. I am thinking I should have bought the Samsung 27" for $600 instead.

The Thunderbold display is a beautifull thing...but only when it is on.

bikkuri

Level 1

1 points

Oct 22, 2011 4:39 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

Day 5 without any blackouts.

The last few days I intentionally put heavy traffic through the display's USB ports to see whether it goes dark.

So far, no success. 😉

Oct 22, 2011 5:00 PM in response to AusPowEng

If you have not done it already go to display preferences and uncleck the autobrightness box. That seems to be a temporary fix for this issue. I did it 8 days ago and no blackouts since.

Oct 22, 2011 5:34 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

Same problem here. Apple fix it plz.

Hacir

Level 1

0 points

Oct 23, 2011 10:31 AM in response to Hacir

I have been able to reproduce this problem without the Thunderbolt display. I have a Dell U3011 which is a 30" monitor that supports 2560x1600. It flashes and shuts down and exhibits the same problems and yet it is a DVI display, not a Thunderbolt-based display.

From what I can tell, the Mac Mini Server is unable to properly support the top resolution. I run a duel display setup without the Apple Thunderbolt display (two monitors) and am able to reproduce these symptoms, especially when playing video or something with much movement. In other words, I suspect the flaw is with the Intel HD 3000 because the Dell U3011 is stable when I lower the resolution to 1920x1080.

Oct 24, 2011 3:10 PM in response to gadget_aussie_man

It's been five days with ambient light sensor being off as per apple tech adivse (see above) and there was no "blackouts" since. I suggest everyone having that Thunderbold going black issue to give their advise a try. Cheers

SkullOne

Level 1

0 points

Oct 25, 2011 9:23 AM in response to gyakushkin

Nope... didn't work for me... I wish it had though 😉

Thorrr

Level 1

0 points

Oct 26, 2011 8:24 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

Same problem here.

Configuration:

Latest MB Air and Tunderbolt Display. All soft- and firmware updates installed. An ext. HDD is connected to the display via Firewire. Keyboard via USB.

Problems (while working on the machine):

1) Dispaly turning off for 0.5-1sec and then turning on again as if nothing happened.

2) Display turning off and remaining off. Two ways to bring it back to life are (a) un- and replug the thunderbolt cable or (b) pulling the power plug of the display

This is not acceptable for a 2500€ piece of equipment! Hope a firmware update will fix this issue. Soon.

bikkuri

Level 1

1 points

Oct 26, 2011 8:34 AM in response to gadget_aussie_man

Since I rarely turn off or reboot my server, I didn't realize it before. When I boot up my engine, the TBD stays black and doesn't light up in one out of five cases. I have to unplug and replug the TB-cable in order to get it to work properly again.

Having said that, besides these new symptons I haven't had any blackouts while the system was up for nearly a week now.

Oct 26, 2011 9:36 PM in response to bikkuri

There is a efi firmware update and driver for the thunderbolt issued tonight. I don't have these issues on my 2011 imac with my TBD. Did this work for you guys?

Hacir

Level 1

0 points

Oct 26, 2011 10:21 PM in response to BarrettF77

No, I continue to see this issue the moment I switch to native resolution. Tonight's new firmware update did not resolve this for me.

Thunderbolt Display turns off randomly