2nd 4k display refresh rate issue w/ 2018 MBP

Thunderbolt 3 TBT3-UDZ
#1

I’m having an issue with a dual 4k monitor setup where the refresh rate for my my second monitor won’t go above 30hz. The two monitors are identical NEC EA271Us. The second monitor is connected to my TBT3-UDZ via the stock DP 1.2 cable that came with the monitor.

I’m running Big Sur 11.2.2 on a 2018 MBP. Strangely, system profiler reports both monitors as 5k, not 4k. It may be notable that these are 10-bit monitors (although not HDR).

I fear this is a Mac/MacOS issue, as connecting the second display directly to my MBP via a Plugable USB-C to DP cable also results in the second monitor being recognized as a 5k monitor and running at 30hz.

#2

Hello Rafe,

Thank you for contacting Plugable support! Sorry to hear about this issue. I’d be more than happy to assist you.

Unfortunately this does sound like it could be a macOS issue, we’ve been seeing some severe display issues since macOS Big Sur 11.1 that have not yet been fixed with 11.2.2 or the 11.3 beta: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/03/macos-big-sur-external-display-issues

Users are having issues with incorrect resolutions or refresh rates, sometimes unable to get a second display working correctly at all. Since you’re seeing the monitors reported incorrectly as 5K when they’re actually 4K, and because a separate USB-C to DP cable behaves similarly, this does make me think you’re one of the affected users.

10-bit displays shouldn’t have any troubles as long as they’re not HDR or HDR is disabled.

To try and troubleshoot the issue, for the display stuck at 30Hz, which port on the dock is it connected to? “Display 1” or “Display 2”? Does it change behavior if you swap the connections around on the back of the dock? I’d be curious to know if the issue stays with the same port or if it follows the monitor to the other port.

Please don’t hesitate to let us know of other questions.

Thanks again for contacting Plugable support and best wishes!

Joshua Henry

Senior Engineer | Product Owner
Plugable Technologies

#3

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