16-inch MacBook Pro users reporting MagSafe issues, clamshell mode problems

For some users, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro does not always charge when completely shut down, and others are dealing with external monitors not waking correctly in clamshell mode.

Some users of the revised 16-inch MacBook Pro have been reporting hardware issues concerning MagSafe charging, and using external monitors.

Initially reported on Reddit, the first account included a video showing what happens when user "Trillionaire" is attempting to charge. With the M1 Max MacBook Pro completely shut down, the MagSafe charging connector flashes orange to indicate that it is not charging correctly.

According to "Trillionaire," Apple support staff are investigating, and say that "Apple is aware of the issue." Apple support recommends that users:

Charge the MacBook Pro while in sleep mode
Charge the MacBook Pro with the lid open
Attach the MagSafe cable, before shutting down the MacBook Pro

The issue does not seem to apply to charging over USB-C, according to the thread.

Separately, users on Apple's support forums have reported issues with using external monitors. Some issues concern use of external monitors on any Mac under macOS Monterey, but others specify that it is the new MacBook Pro that's having problems.

Typically in these cases, what is reported is that external monitors are not reliably waking up after a MacBook Pro lid is opened and closed. AppleInsider has not been able to reproduce either issue, and it is not yet known how widespread the problems are.

As with other similar issues, we recommend starting a support case with Apple, should the problems manifest locally. This not only protects the user should the problem be more serious than originally though, it also provides Apple with additional data points to triage accordingly, and to solve the issue.

20 Comments

joemailey 4 comments · 9 Years

About 2 years ago

I get the external monitor issue.

If I use my macbook pro m1 with a 49" widescreen. It works fine, but if I walk away from my desk and come back in a bit.

I can't wake up the screen using my wireless apple keyboard. Monitor connected via USB-C.

I need to unplug the USB-C cable and then plug it back in for the monitor to work. Also think the laptop needs to be a sleep for the disconnect to happen / be a sleep for a certain amount of time.

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

Yep, I'm having the display issue, though intermittently, with a monitor connected via DP through a TB3 dock. Not a major problem, but annoying, and the intermittent-ness actually makes it more annoying.

Haven't noticed the charging issue, though I charge mainly through the dock anyway, and I guess the issue is only with MagSafe?

Apple were pretty quick about fixing the Safari lockup issue, so hopefully they'll have a fix soon.

the3rdparty 29 comments · 19 Years

Is this specific to the 16-inch model? or are users also experiencing similar issues with the 14-inch version?

MplsP 4021 comments · 8 Years

This isn’t new (at least for me.) I’ve been having the monitor issue with my 2016 MBP for some time. Half the time when I plug it in to the dock it works fine, half the time it doesn’t and I have to unplug the monitor and plug it back in. I also routinely have issues with the BT ‘magic’ mouse not connecting and the BT keyboard hesitating then repeating keys unless I physically plug it in.

Seems like both of the issues reported in this story are likely software issues rather than hardware and should be fixable with an OS update.

mrstep 523 comments · 15 Years

MplsP said:

This isn’t new (at least for me.) I’ve been having the monitor issue with my 2016 MBP for some time. Half the time when I plug it in to the dock it works fine, half the time it doesn’t and I have to unplug the monitor and plug it back in. I also routinely have issues with the BT ‘magic’ mouse not connecting and the BT keyboard hesitating then repeating keys unless I physically plug it in.

Seems like both of the issues reported in this story are likely software issues rather than hardware and should be fixable with an OS update.

Agreed, I had to disable sleep on my old 2011 Mac Pro because it wouldn't turn the monitor back on consistently (it ran flawlessly for 8 years straight, probably rebooted less than 5 times other than OS updates) , and I also had to disable sleep (could let the screen sleep, mind you, but not the machine) on my 2019 16" MBP as well. That was with an old Apple 30" monitor, a AOC 4K, and an LG USB-C 4K over the years - just always inconsistent wake behavior. With both machines, I usually had to reboot them to get them to see the monitor again - awkward on the tower since I had to hard-power off. Hardware or software, it's probably not actually a new issue.

On the bright side, the M1 machines should at least not use much power if they need to not be allowed to sleep. 🤷‍♂️