External monitor no longer wakes from sleep (10.11.2 update)

I have an external LG LED-LCD panel connected to my Mac Pro 2013 via HDMI.


No problems with display sleep at all before... but since updating to 10.11.2, it just does not wake from sleep and I have to force a reboot. I have since turned display sleep options off and I now use a password-protected screensaver instead (for security), and just switch my monitor off with the power button.


I had this problem also with Beta 2 and Beta 5 of 10.11.2. Both times I reverted back to 10.11.1 from Time Machine, hoping it would be fixed in the final release.


Before anyone says it, the following link is not welcome... I didn't come down in the last shower: If your Mac doesn't sleep or wake when expected - Apple Support


It's definitely something that has changed in El Capitan 10.11.2. I now have a $10,000+ beast of a computer that can't put its own display to sleep 😝

Mac Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2), Late 2013 model

Posted on Dec 10, 2015 7:27 PM

Reply
88 replies

Jan 8, 2016 2:20 PM in response to DaemoNZ

Thanks everyone for keeping the dialogue going.


Reminder -- Using MacMini 2011, connected to an Onkyo Receiver, which is connected to a Samsung LCD. This has worked for 6+ years across multiple different TV's, A/V setups, and 2x MacMini's until the latest SW update.


I've tried the hot corner method of putting the display to sleep, and then trying to reactive. I've also tried the Fast User Switching/Sleep method which didn't work for me either.


Does anyone know how to downgrade back to 10.11.1 from 10.11.2? I'm not sure if I have a TM backup of that but getting tired of waiting for a fix.


I will try the hot key method the next time I run into an issue

Jan 10, 2016 8:40 PM in response to DaemoNZ

Same issue on mid-2012 15" macbook pro with BenQ FP202W monitor. Only happens when the hardware is asleep overnight, and waking the display up requires fiddling and waiting - same thing does not work each time. I will give the hot corners method a go.


Very disappointed to hear about the lack of customer support from Apple. Denying a problem or passing the buck does not fix it.

Jan 13, 2016 4:46 AM in response to DaemoNZ

Have exactly the same issue, Late 2013 MacPro running LG IPS Superwide 29" monitor connected via displayport to thunderport. Machine goes to sleep but wont wake the monitor.


A work around that seems to work most of the time is to remove the thunderport and plug it into another bus port. Luckily the Mac pro has 3 busses (6 ports). but not what you would expect from a £5K machine.


Come on Apple - with so many people with the same issue - fix the problem!!

Jan 13, 2016 11:50 PM in response to DaemoNZ

I have found a temporary FIX to this problem. Reboot the Mac in safe-mode by restarting and holding SHIFT until boot. This will activate the slave screen but it will be inaccessible. This is ok. Once the computer has fully loaded all icons under the safe mode, reboot the computer and allow it to start normally. The slave screen will now be active and accessible. Remember if the screen slips into sleep then you will have to undergo this process all over again. My recommendation is to shut down the computer when you have finished working with it, this way it should start properly again.


It appears to be exclusively a problem with the sleeping function.

Jan 14, 2016 6:42 AM in response to DaemoNZ

Best solution so far:


1. System Prefs/ Energy Saver set computer and display sleep to 1 hr. 15 min.

2. System Prefs/ Screen Saver set for 20 min.

3. End of session, go to login window by clicking user icon upper right menu bar. Select "sleep".


This mostly works (MBP late 2011, El Capitan 10.11.2, BT LE4 installed), but occasionally fails.


4. When it fails, open Displays Pref (through System Prefs or icon in menu bar). In "Display Port" under "Rotation" select any-- 90°, 180°, whatever-- doesn't matter. After a few seconds, hit return, which will select the default to reject the rotation change. 2nd monitor lights up. This consistently works.

Jan 14, 2016 12:47 PM in response to juulonline

I concur. I have just installed OS X Public Beta 10.11.4 and the issue appears to have been resolved. I will use Feedback Assistant to provide any feedback to Apple should the situation change as the beta nears completion. Thank you to everyone for your feedback. I'm certain your feedback on this forum, along with any formal submissions via the Apple Developer's Bug Submission site, have helped Apple to address the issue.


Many thanks! 😎

Jan 19, 2016 6:24 AM in response to DaemoNZ

I understand that 10.11.3 fixes the problem, but just to record another solution in case anybody needs it...


I have a 2010 iMac Pro with a Phillips 24" LED second monitor, which of course was not waking up after sleep on 10.11.2. I have just (after several days annoyance) discovered that the following works to awaken the second screen:


a) System Preferences > Displays (first tab)

b) Press the Opt / Alt key and a new button will appear on the bottom right, called something like 'Identify displays'. (Apologies, can't test it now for the exact name - in any case, click on the button that appears when you hold down the Opt key).

c) Click on that and the second screen will awaken.


Or, at least, it has done reliably for me so far.


Hope this helps somebody.

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External monitor no longer wakes from sleep (10.11.2 update)

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