New LG 5k display not working

Question

New LG 5k display not working

Ok,

So, I just received the new LG 5k. I have tried driving it from my brand new MacBook Pro laptop using the supplied cable but nothing appears on the display. The display is charging my laptop, so I have a $1000 charging station. ;-(

I also tried driving the display from my iMac 5k, late 2016, Retina model, using the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adaptor cable but nothing shows up on the screen either.

Something makes a faint binging noise when I plug in either computer. The monitor is so intelligent, it has no switches, reset buttons, or status buttons that might provide some comfort.

Sigh. Any thoughts?

Posted on Jan 11, 2017 2:31 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 12, 2017 9:12 AM in response to amill5

Thanks for posting your experience. I'm exchanging it for another one. I hope I'll have better luck next time.

I wasn't able to get anything to appear on the screen. I talked to Apple Support and LG but there really doesn't seem to be anything I can do. I tried Command-F1 to try to force the computer to use the external display but that doesn't do anything. Like I mentioned, the display does not show up in System Preferences.

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Answer 2

Jan 13, 2017 10:07 AM in response to Lawrence Kellogg

I bought 2 5K LG displays to use with my new macbook pro 15". The second monitor is only recognized after a reboot sometimes but quickly disconnects itself after a short period of time. It also causes performance issues on the laptop. This is the awesome new Thundrbolt 3 / USB-C interface?????? I spent a lot of money on something that was advertised to work. Can anyone help????

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Answer 3

amill5

Level 1

4 points

Jan 12, 2017 8:51 AM in response to Lawrence Kellogg

I have a similar issues on my 13'' MacBook Pro with touchbar, except my MacBook crashes when I plug in the screen. It worked great for the first 5-10 mins but it's been crashing ever since, sometimes right after it's plugged in, other times the screens exchange turning off and on then eventually crash after opening any applications.

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Answer 4

Jan 13, 2017 1:10 PM in response to Rich Reid

I think you should get in touch with Apple Support. I'll let you know how it goes once I get my replacement.

I thought I read somewhere that the MacBook Pro was not powerful enough to drive two 5k displays.

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Answer 5

Jan 18, 2017 9:41 AM in response to MacKaren

Really! Why didn't anybody mention that to me? I called Apple, LG, and visited an Apple store. Well, I'll have to wait until I get the replacement to see if it works. I have installed the LG Screen Manager now.

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Answer 6

Jan 19, 2017 11:18 AM in response to Lawrence Kellogg

Food for thought. I got the replacement monitor today and it worked as soon as I plugged it in. I didn't need to run the Screen Manager software.

Nice monitor, too bad it is so reflective. The old 30 inch cinema that the LG is replacing was a matte display. What I wouldn't give for another matte display. Sigh.

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Answer 7

Jan 19, 2017 5:51 PM in response to Lawrence Kellogg

So, the new monitor was working great until I raised my standing desk and then it started blinking like crazy!

There is a post on this thread:

http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/lg-ultrafine-5k-issues-bugs.2024679/

where someone says their router is causing their monitor to blink! I think that may be what is happening to mine.
I lowered my desk again and the blink has been reduced to perhaps once every three minutes. It's annoying and I'm going to have to look for other solutions.

I'm not happy.

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Answer 8

Jan 20, 2017 8:47 AM in response to Lawrence Kellogg

It seems there are several issues with this monitor. I have it here and it's unusable as it locks/reboots my computer (2016 13" rMBP) within a minute of connecting. I just installed the beta as some have suggested but the problem persists.

I have a replacement cable from LG apparently on the way but that's my last attempt to get this working before my 14-day return period is up with Apple.

I had high hopes but there's definitely hardware (cables, maybe monitor itself as reported by people with router interference) and/or software issues on a portion of this production run and not worth my time to be a beta tester. It seems this was released prematurely.

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Answer 9

Jan 20, 2017 8:55 AM in response to magic_software

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.

Today, the monitor is locked on and not blinking, at low desk position and at high desk position!

I have no idea what fixed the problem. All I did was to try to move the time capsule away from it a little. The time capsule is directly behind my iMac 5k and LG5k.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that I've fixed the problem.

What is this beta? Sierra beta? Does anybody have any evidence that they've tried to fix problems with the monitor in a beta release of Sierra?

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Answer 10

Jan 20, 2017 9:02 AM in response to Lawrence Kellogg

Yes, the latest Sierra beta. I've seen some comments on the discussions here that the Sierra beta has resolved the issue for some. My new computer is rock solid without the monitor connected but for whatever reason(s) (I hope it's just the cable) it is just not functional with my setup.

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Answer 11

Jan 20, 2017 9:25 AM in response to MichelQC

To the LG Ultrafine 4k? I actually had that one before this 5k but although there was anecdotal evidence it should work with my 2014 15" rMBP, it did not, so I returned. Now, however, I have the 2016 13" rMBP which is why I thought to give the 5k a try.

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Answer 12

amill5

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2017 11:31 AM in response to Lawrence Kellogg

For me, it was the LG thunderbolt 3 cord. LG is sending me a new one, but I couldn't wait the 10 days they estimated; especially if it didn't fix it. I ended up buying a new thunderbolt 3 cord on Amazon that supports up to 100w and everything is working fine now (linked below). I have not crashed or flickered since. The only warning I'd have is the length, it's short, so you have to dock your MacBook to the right side of the screen.

Akitio thunderbolt 3 cable:

Akitio Thunderbolt3 Cable 40Gbs (50cm :Supports USB-C, USB 3.1, Displayport) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KGTNYVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_htMGybNWMP4ZA

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Answer 13

Jan 20, 2017 12:16 PM in response to amill5

Interesting, thanks for posting. Seems strange LG shipped so many bad cables. Not sure I want to sink more $ into a possible lemon product. I requested an expedited ship on the replacement cable because of my 14-day return window but I'm not holding my breath based on their response. I wonder how many sales they're going to lose because of this issue (and returns)?

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Answer 14

Jan 20, 2017 2:14 PM in response to amill5

Akitio thunderbolt 3 cable:

Akitio Thunderbolt3 Cable 40Gbs (50cm :Supports USB-C, USB 3.1, Displayport) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KGTNYVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_htMGybNWMP4ZA

Now I'm tempted to try this out but the layout on my desk I don't think will support the length as you point out. And it doesn't appear there's even another good option with these specs that is longer.

Maybe there is something to this cable problem since there's not many/any other products on the market indicating challenges producing this. Not sure how LG was able to produce the longer cable, wonder what the actual specs are on their cable.

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Answer 15

amill5

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2017 4:46 PM in response to magic_software

You could try this cord it's also 100w. I was between the two and settled for the cheaper one to hold me over since LG is sending a new cord.

CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 Cable (2.0m, 6.56 ft) 40Gbps / 100W Charging / 5A / 20V / Active [Certified] 2016 Macbook Pro Type-C Compatible https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4MFG7J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yZQGybJF5AK02

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