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Thunderbolt Display "dead" after firmware upgrade to Version 1.2

Hi,

I just run the Thunderbolt F/W update to 1.2 as offered by the AppStore Update. I have a 2014 MacPro with 2 Displays connected. In good faith I just confirmed to apply the update without much reading the fine print. The F/W update brought the system to a complete standstill. After 2 hours of waiting in the boot screen, I rebooted the system manually (5 secs power button). One of the Thunderbolt displays first just flickered, then decided to completely die. The System report says: unknown device in the Thunderbolt section. The 2nd display hasn't been updated during this procedure.


How can the F/W of the 'dead' display be re-installed? I also tried to connect it to a MacBook pro. Same result. The display is entirely black.


Any help or suggestion is much appreciated. Thanks!

Posted on Nov 16, 2014 8:00 AM

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82 replies

Nov 17, 2014 12:18 PM in response to Hans-Uwe Brackel

Same issue here. Firmware update never completed and after forcing a reboot the display was completely dead. I've tried connecting it to 4 different Macs and none of them even recognize that anything is connected. Basically at this point I suspect the display has a corrupted firmware version on it and is essentially bricked. Made a Genius Bar appointment so they can tell me my display is out of warranty and refuse to fix it, even though it was their firmware update that caused the issue. Super job Apple. Next stop: Dell monitor.

Nov 17, 2014 12:24 PM in response to 2drinksbehind2

Does anyone from Apple read this? Can Apple acknowledge responsibility for their firmware upgrade and provide free support for fixing the display?

I can't believe this. I am going to Apple tomorrow and hope they will be more comprehensive.

If anyone with this problem posts a message here, we might raise some their attention.

Please contribute if you ran into this problem.

Nov 18, 2014 8:03 PM in response to Hans-Uwe Brackel

Put me on the list as well.


I've had this TB display for two years and have had no issue with it. Clicked OK on the firmware prompt and now I have a $1000 paperweight/laptop charger.


What I have tried:

Reset SMC and NVRAM on my MBP.

Unplugged the display from power and all peripherals and let it sit for ~24 hours before trying again.

Downloaded the firmware installer from Thunderbolt Display Firmware Update v1.2. It tells me that no thunderbolt display is connected.


So far nothing has produced a result.


System report shows an unknown device on the TB port.


A used logic board for the display is around USD$220 on ebay.


I really wish I had not attempted to install the firmware now.

Nov 18, 2014 10:59 PM in response to Hans-Uwe Brackel

Also put me on the list. After the FW 1.2 update nothing. The only thing I now have is a very big and expensive power cord for my MBA.


After I tried the update and failed, I took the MBA to leave for work. Strange thing was I still saw the attached HDD (Thunderbolt) blinking... without a laptop attached. Now it isn't doing anything anymore apart from providing power to my MBA.

Thunderbolt Display "dead" after firmware upgrade to Version 1.2

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