External Displays are no longer recognized

I am having an issue with my MacBook Air 11", 2013 Model where it will no longer connect to external displays. When I plug in a Thunderbolt display adapter to the port on the right side of my machine, the laptop screen will briefly flash black but never recognize an external display.


I have tried the following configurations:

- Thunderbolt to DVI in Samsung External Display

- Thunderbolt adapter to HDMI in Dell External Display

- Thunderbolt to DisplayPort in Lenovo External monitor


All exhibit the same behavior. I have tried to reset the SMC (although I do not get any screen feedback so I am not sure how I tell if it actually reset?), reinstalled the OS from recovery mode, behavior still exists.


Any help or tips/tricks would be great.

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jun 24, 2016 7:10 AM

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2 replies

Jun 24, 2016 7:47 PM in response to xIlluzionx

Hello xllluzionx,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

It is my understanding that your MacBook Air is no longer connecting to external displays. I know how nice it is to be able to use more than one display with your Mac. The following article may be of some help to you:


Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac

Detect your display

If you're using an external display, sleep and wake your Mac to make it check for connected displays:

  1. Press the power button on your computer to put it to sleep, or choose Apple menu > Sleep.
  2. Wait a few moments, then press a key on your keyboard or click your mouse or trackpad to wake your Mac.


Cheers

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External Displays are no longer recognized

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