Mac mini 2014 won't wake monitor via HDMI

Since I'm new to Mac and Apple I'm finding it incredibly hard to believe that 1. This problem exists and its not my lack of experience in solving this. 2. If the problem does in fact exist that there is no solution yet.

What I did tonight was to power off my ATV (3rd Gen) and reboot my Mac Mini (2014 10.10.1) and discovered that while the ATV is out of the equation then the HDMI connection works properly (i.e. when I switch the TV either onto standby or to another input source then when I switch back again the screen is displayed). When the ATV is powered on again then the HDMI connection starts misbehaving (i.e. when I switch the TV either onto standby or to another input source then when I switch back again the screen is NOT displayed).

I would be interested if someone else would try this to see if they get the same results.

Just to add my system to the collection. None of the workarounds in the thread have worked for me.

Mac Mini November 2014. Yosemite 10.10.1.

Viewsonic VP2770-LED connected to HDMI. Viewsonic input set to HDMI.

Wireless Keyboard and trackpad. Both Apple.

This is what happens for me.

Mac logged in and working. Viewsonic power light blue - i.e. Monitor on and connected.

Put Mac to sleep (Apple menu/sleep)

Viewsonic screen black. No signal message appears for 2 secs. Power light turns amber ( power saving mode according to Viewsonic manual)

Mac in sleep mode (LED on front pulsing)

Now press a keyboard key

Mac wakes up - LED solid

Viewsonic stays in power saving mode (LED amber)

So I have to

Power cycle Viewsonic - tap on/off button twice

Viewsonic wakes up(LED blue). All windows reappear.

What I want to happen

1. Put Mac to sleep - everything turns off.

2. Tap a key/click mouse - everything turns on.

Same problem here...November 2014 mac mini, Viewsonic monitor. This monitor worked fine with my MacBook pro connected via hdmi. Now it doesn't work -- computer will wake, but no monitor...have to reboot each time. Really a pain!

Same problem here but am still under Apple Care (for first 90 dys anyway...) and they are currently investigating. Ran a couple of tests via apps that they sent to me, but am yet to hear back. I shall report when something interesting comes to light. I also contacted Philips (I have a 234E monitor) and they said this:

"Regarding the issue you have reported, it might be related to the HDMI cable you are using.

There are cables that don't have the power passtrough option.

It would be important to test with another cable, do you have that possibility?"

When I questioned them about finding out if my MAC HDMI cable had this option, he replied saying it is not easy to tell other than finding out direct form the manufacturer. Could it be this? Does the (most recent) Mac HDMI cable have a powerpass through option?!

Same Issue with 2014 Mac Mini and Philips 234E Monitor - HDMI cable. 😟

I have the same monitor (Philips 234E) and it worked perfectly when connected toa MBA 12" using HDMI adapter for the Thunderbolt port. Both the HDMi cable and Thunderbolt adapter are from Cable Matter. As for the MacMini is a late 2014 8gb, 1 tb, 2.6 Ghz, iris .. etc...(second configuration available at Apple) . I tried to use the HDMi to Thunderbolt adapter on the Mac Mini but for some reason this won't work even after restarting the iMac... may be I am missing a setting or something 😕

This is what Apple have written to me:

"Our engineers, have looked at your system files and have come to the following conclusion :

The Mac mini wakes from hibernation as expected , but there is no signal from the connected monitor. As you can see from the user manual for the monitor, it also has a power-saving function and if this is active, there is no picture. Please contact the manufacturer for support."

The monitor manual says this:

"If you have VESA DPM compliance display card

or software installed in your PC, the monitor can

automatically reduce its power consumption when

not in use. If an input from a keyboard, mouse or

other input device is detected, the monitor will

'wake up' automatically."

BUT the 'software' is not Mac compatible. So I have asked Philips how I make the power-saving function inactive without this. I bought the monitor as it clearly states on their website that it is OSX compatible. So I am hoping they will take some responsibility to find a solution.

Either way, I remain open minded about it being a fault Macs end or philips end! Please let me know if anyone has any comments or solutions further to this 🙂

Thank you for posting your experience along with the information you were given from Apple. I don't buy the excuse that it's not Apple's fault that the monitor can't be woken up from power saving mode. There are hundreds of other computers that wake up their monitors from power saving mode, why can't Apple? I have an Acer monitor, you have a Philips, the Mac isn't waking up any of them. Is it the fault of every manufacturer of monitors out there? Apple should just take responsibility for the problem and fix it.

Thanks for your reply and for echoing my initial thoughts when the problem first occurred. I have now read that people with Sony, Acer and Philips monitors are all having the same problem. I will wait to hear back from Philips to see if they might (miraculously) have a solution. They probably won't of course, in which case I will feed back Philips comments and the variety of monitors stated on this forum back to Apple via the (gold dust) email address I now have for an advisor. Will update on this forum if and when there is anything of interest. On a mission!

Thank you for posting your experience along with the information you were given from Apple. I don't buy the excuse that it's not Apple's fault that the monitor can't be woken up from power saving mode. There are hundreds of other computers that wake up their monitors from power saving mode, why can't Apple? I have an Acer monitor, you have a Philips, the Mac isn't waking up any of them. Is it the fault of every manufacturer of monitors out there? Apple should just take responsibility for the problem and fix it and quit making excuses.

You're welcome. Apple, if you're listening: don't blame the monitor manufacturers. Just fix this issue.

You can add Asus to the list. Same issue. New MacMini, connected via HDMI. Most of the time the monitor comes back after the Mac wakes from sleep, but occasionally it won't. I've unplugged/replugged the HDMI a few times and can usually get it going that way without having to restart.

I don't understand how this could not be Apple's fault. If there was video signal, the monitor should turn on, especially after turning the display on and off.. but it just goes back to power saving mode as if the computer was off.

Add another one that does not wake up after sleep:

mac mini with HP envy monitor.

Also to note - there is an intermittent sound issue as well. Sometimes it is sending the sound via the analog out, and sometimes via the HDMI. If it is not working, I have to switch the active input on my monitor.

With so many brands of monitors not working, this is definitely an Apple problem. The annoying thing is that this issue has been reported already 3 months and Apple is still trying to blame the monitor manufacturers...

This was my first foray into Apple computers, and I must say - it is disappointing.

This was my first foray as well and I too have that same audio issue of random crackles! I'm going to see about returning this.

It's 100% not an HDMI problem.

I'm facing this issue with a VGA connection through Thunderbolt.