macOS Big Sur - Multiple Display "… | Apple Developer Forums

I've found something thing macOS Big Sur broke - the "recovery" after changing display sources. Let me explain...

I have one big 4K monitor, connected to both my Mac (USB-C) and my PC (HDMI). I switch between the two sources on the monitor depending on what I'm doing. Each computer also has its own dedicated monitor (built-in for my Macbook, an old external for my PC).

Prior to macOS Big Sur, if I switched to the PC input on the monitor, all the macOS windows would shift over to the built-in laptop display, and then shift back to their correct window once I switched back. They no longer do that.

The application all stay on the laptop screen and the big screen is empty when I switch the source back on the monitor. I then have to move everything back to the big display.

I guess that's better than the PC behavior where even if you switch the source on the display back to the Mac, Windows still thinks its connected and continues to extend the display (the fix for that is to go to display properties and select "only show on display 2") , but thats a whole other gripe.

Has anyone else experienced this as well? Is there a setting I'm missing? Should I file a bug report?

macOS

50k

Posted by

IPv6Freely

I am just as frustrated. Brand new Samsung monitor and it is not working on Big Sur 11.4. Black border on each side. Same monitor works great on a Catalina Machine. @apple please fix this.

—
deepap19
I have a problem with my second monitor connected to HDMI on Mac Mini M1. Before the update of 11.4, it was working perfectly. I just recently updated the OS and now it takes time for my mac mini to detect the second monitor. Sometimes, I have to remove the HDMI cable and connect it again for the display to work again.

Please @apple fix this problem.

—
hmtugano
Same issue! After I upgraded my Mac, my hi-res HTMI-connected Samsung monitor streaked and blipped. The windows also jumped around when it would wake up. I had to unplug the Samsung and now it's worthless and collecting dust. I plugged in an old monitor with a VGA cable and the dock and menu still do not work on the second monitor. Luckily, I have not upgraded at home. ...I use three monitors there. I'm a graphic designer. I NEED multiple monitors. Apple, FIX THIS MESS!!!

—
bargnhunner

Replies

None of the work arounds listed worked for me and I require multiple displays for work. I corrected this issue with approximately $300 worth of new supplies from my local staples to include;

New apple brand thunderbolt cable (a different brand C to USB dongle does not work) $90.00
New HD monitor (lowest priced 24 inch HD with HDMI capability) $130.00
New 4K short HDMI cable (I did read in a previous thread the short cord made a difference for one user) $20.00

You may say this doesn't add up to $300 but I must take into account the four previous trips to the store for the new high resolution VGA adaptor ($50.00), dongle that didn't work ($40.00) and high speed HDMI cable that didn't work ($16.00). I will try to take back the dongle.

The good news is, it works now. Expensive little update. Thanks Apple

Posted by

mamamills

Add a Comment

Very Frustrating after upgrading to big sur 11.4, it broke USB-C communication with Acer Monitor, the monitor shows no signal, but other devices connected via monitor are working are mouse, key board etc. I guess some New Developer Joined and broke the code ( commented USB-C ) functionality. :D — Maddy11 less than a minute ago

Posted by

Maddy11

Add a Comment

I have the same issue. I have a 2017 27" iMac Retina running Big Sur 11.5. I have a 21inch iMac 2011 running !0.13.6. Apple Thunderbolt cable to a Thunderbolt to USB-C adapter. Trying to use my 21.5 inch mac as a second display and it is not working. This is very Frustrating as my wife needs the second display to do work. When are they going to fix this.

This is crazy. Apple Needs to fix this right away.

Posted by

dlindenfeld

Add a Comment

Having this same issue. A workaround that just worked for me was to:

Open System Preferences
Click on Displays
If not already selected, select Scaled under Resolution:
Choose a different scaling from the one that you current have selected
Switch back to your preferred scaling
If previously on Default for display, re-select that option

Once I switched back to Default (in my case), Mission Control started working as expected.

For reference, I'm running macOS Big Sur 11.4 (20F71) on a 2019 MacBook Pro 16 with a Radeon 5500M GPU. I haven't updated to 11.5.x yet because I use this laptop for DJing and upgrading is hit or miss for support with my mixer and DJ software.

Hope this helps someone.

Cheers, Flux aka Andy

Posted by

djflux

I. running Bug Sur 11.5.2 and used to be able to use a second monitor. Not now. I've tried all the suggestions from other comments other than the ones that tell me to change things I'm afraid to because it will change things on levels I don't understand. Does anyone know if Apple is preparing to fix this bug yet? Thanks, Bev

—
bevermont
This worked after trying everything else (reboot worked, reset PRAM, etc did not). Set all displays to Default for Display and the problem went away... at least for now.

Note, the NEC monitor I was using did not suffer from this problem so it would seem to be somewhat monitor specific as well.

The ASUS and Gigabyte monitors I am using now both exhibit this issue (one would turn on but the other would stay off and the problem could be moved from one to another of the monitors by plugging them in in a different order)

Hope the additional info helps someone.

Kim

—
ibkimc

Add a Comment

Big Sur 11.5.2 here. Every time my screen goes off from power saving, resuming the computer will only detect 2 of my 3 external monitors, and I have to manually "detect" the third one myself each time in system preferences.

Come on, Apple, Big Sur has already been out for so long. Fix this mess!

Posted by

DrTree

Add a Comment

Yes, upgrading to Big Sur will make your secondary display disappear from the display settings. To regain your display arrangement settings, do the following: (1) Install/Upgrade DisplayLink software (2) Reboot (3) Manually assign permissions to this software in Security & Privacy settings. Now count 1-2-3, and thank me later. Have fun!

Posted by

Basavapatna

Add a Comment

I have two monitors on only one macmini, when I turn them off because I'm leaving my office, and turn the on when returning, most apps from 2nd monitor are now on 1st monitor. Not always all apps, but most of them, but not always the same apps.

super frustratiing and annoying. never had this with catalina.

Posted by

noonespecialtbh

Two monitors, 1 Mac mini M1. Whenever the Mac goes to sleep or is forced to sleep for more than 10 seconds, ALL the windows on the extended display are moved to the main display. With Apple Support's help today, I turned on 'Displays have separate Spaces' in Mission Control in System Preferences and now the windows stay where they were placed on the extended display (2nd monitor), as has been the case since I started using two monitors with a 2009 Mac mini and then a 2012 Mac mini (for 8 years). MacOS 12.3.1.

—
graus

Add a Comment

macOS Big Sur - Multiple Display "Recovery"

Replies