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thunderbolt display won't wake up!

I bought the first version of the MBP Retina and I'm loving it! So what better companion to use than the 27" Thunderbolt Display...

So I've been using it since the first day I got my MBP Retina. Everyday when I leave work, I log-out from my computer, and when I get in in the morning, I just move my mouse and both my displays wake up. This has never been a problem until this morning.

I have tried unplugging the power, doing a power cycle, disconnecting all USB devices from the Thunderbolt, etc. Nothing works.

Does anyone have an idea?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Aug 26, 2012 6:00 PM

48 replies

Dec 22, 2015 5:13 PM in response to Kenneth Penkowski

Here's my journey

Had the same problem, 27" thunderbolt would intermittently go dark or never wake up once asleep.

I performed this combination of things, and Im good. (not sure which one it was, but suspect it was a combination of the following)

• re set nvram

• did firmware update

• removed any usb, fire wire plugged in to the back of the screen (nothing is plugged in that can draw power)

• stopped using the built in mag safe power supply to power my laptop

• bought a new thunderbolt wire & stopped using the built in one coming from my screen, there's a 2nd thunderbolt input next to the Ethernet port

• plugged screen directly into a wall socket (not a power strip.)

It feels like the monitor is somehow sensitive to things that draw power, I suspect having the screen charge my laptop & my phone caused the problem, that and being plugged into a power strip, as long as it's used only as a 2nd monitor it seems to be ok, been 3 days straight now no sleep.....

Hope this helps.

Jan 11, 2016 3:46 PM in response to esisoon

This did the trick for me, thank you!

Jan 15, 2016 11:25 AM in response to IntenseSL

I have a related problem:

My thunderbolt display is connected to a Retina iMac.

When the iMac sleeps and wakes the Thunderbolt comes back on if it had been on. If the iMac is restarted the Thunderbolt display won't come on. The solution of me has been to disconnect the Thunderbolt display, restart the iMac and then connect the thunderbolt display. It will immediately come back on. It seems to me this started with El Cap.

At any rate I wish restarting the iMac didn't require disconnecting and reconnecting the thunderbolt. The iMac must be off when the Thunderbolt is disconnected. Sleep wake fine, restart disconnect the Thunderbolt first. Reconnect Thunderbolt after restart then all OK.

thunderbolt display won't wake up!