thunderbolt display won't wake up!

I have exactly the same issue. The Thunderbolt display works well with two other MBP's, but not with the MBP it should. All PRAM/SMC resetting did not help. Sorry, I have no solution, but wonder, if you found a fix.

My 2nd Thunderbolt display works just fine... Until I put the computer to sleep. Then it won't come back on. I go from a two display setup down to a one display setup unless I reboot the iMac. These are both 27 inch thunderbolts, one the main unit with the computer in it, the other attached to the first with the vid cable it comes with. I would think the iMac would communicate or wake up the 2nd unit. Can Preferences>Display be improved to have a wake up or search for additional display button to kick the 2nd monitor back on? Their are no power buttons I can see on the 2nd display for me to toggle on and off.... Support, what do you recommend??? Thanks, Ed.

bump... same problem

I've been using a Thunderbolt display with my MBA. I have had the same problem. My display was exchanged by the local store, but the problem persisted. By trial and error, I have worked out a "protocol" that seems to deter (if not totally eliminate) the problem. I do the following (in strict order):

1. Eject any drives attached (via the display)

2. Put the MBA to sleep (or shutdown)

3. Turn off the power to the display

4. Disconnect all cables between the MBA and the display.

When reconnecting:-

1. Connect all cables

2. Turn on power to the display

3. Wake the MBA

Every so often I have missed a step (usually not putting the MBA to sleep). There is then a 50:50 chance whether the display will come to life immediately on connecting. When it does not, leaving it connected with the display power off for 5+ minutes, then switching on the display power, seems to do the trick. If not, repeat (irritating, I know) -- turn off the power, leave for 5+ minutes then power on again.

Hope this helps.

I used your link to find out how to make my Thunderbolt display wake up, but I did not find anything related to this particular problem om that page. What exactly are you referring to?

Here is how to fix the problem with 27" Thunderbolt screen waking up from sleep. Just do as esisoon indicated, check out the instructions for resetting NVRAM and PRAM on http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US . Just follow the simple instructions 1-6, and check out whether you need to reset screen resolution, time zone, sound etc when you are done. The whole procedure does not take more than 5 minutes. Very likely the issue with the wakeup will be solved. Good luck to the rest of you with this problem, and thank you esisoon!

My joy unfortunately was short. After having left the harddrive on my MBP sleeoping overnight, the screen would not wake up this morning. It is back to acting like prior to my procedure resetting VRAM and PRAM. There is obviously a bug which I hope will be resolved,– hopefully sooner rather than later.

Hello there,

I had the same Problem with my 2011 Macbook Pro 13" (10.8.2) and a TB-Display. PRAM reset didn't help. Yesterday I did a full reinstall leaving out the Macbook Pro prefs when restoring from TimeMachine. Until now no problems.

Best Regard,

J. Dähn

Hello again,

I have to admit that it solved the problem for 2 days, now it's back to the former miserable state.

I have to pull the TB-plug and the AC-plug to reviev the display.

Best regards,

J. Dähn

How do you "turn off power to the display"?

My 27" Thunderbolt has no On/off switch in sofar as I know

Did you mean unplugging the electric cord?

Does your MBP waken immediately?Or is does it, also, stay asleep

Hi Barbara,

pull the plug. I wish this thing had an on-off-switch. Apple idiosynchrasy. Like non-user-serviceable batteries and memory slots. Oh well.

For some unknown reason the TB-Display has stopped it's annnoying behavior. I don't know how long it will last.

Hoping for an update.

J. Daehn

Thanks, I was not sure if that was what you meant

Yup, an on-off switch would be nice