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2 Points
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1418
November 16th, 2024 22:47
U4025QW, likely causing MacBook Pro M3 Max kernel panic restarts
I recently purchased a new 14" MacBook Pro M3 Max and simultaneously purchased a Dell U4025QW monitor. My Mac is powered by the monitor's Thunderbolt cable.
My Mac periodically restarts when left alone for long enough to go into sleep mode. I cannot figure out a pattern to it, and this happens both when no applications are open and also when many apps are left open in the background. The restart appears random some days, the Mac will restart each time when left alone for long periods. Other time, the Mac will run for a few days without any issue. The only thing I think (and I say "think" because I'm not 100% certain) I've determined is that the kernel panic-related restarts are associated with my Dell monitor. I believe in this correlation because over a few day period where I unplugged the Mac from the monitor whenever I would leave it long enough for the Mac to sleep, the Mac experienced no kernel panics. The absence of a restart strongly suggests that the Dell monitor is causing the kernel panics.
I contacted Dell about this issue, which began after I updated the new monitor with the latest firmware (M3T103). Dell told me that they discovered a bug in this latest firmware, and promptly sent me a replacement monitor, which has M3T102 installed. While I applaud Dell's customer service, I'm a little skeptical that they were telling me the truth since M3T103 is still posted on their website for download. Further, now with a replacement monitor running M3T102, the Kernel panics have continued.
I ran an EtreCheck Pro report, but unfortunately, the report tells me nothing other than this is likely a hardware related problem, and that the test I've already done (removing the USB-C Thunderbolt cable when the Mac is going to sleep) does appear to confirm this is a problem stemming from the connection between my Mac and the Dell.
I love this monitor, perfect size for me. But this frequent restarting isn't sustainable. I've only had the computer and monitor for about six weeks and I'd say I've experienced this issue more than a dozen times already.
Anything someone can suggest?
Much appreciated.
- David
Chino de Oro
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November 17th, 2024 02:14
For testing, keep the Mac power adapter plugged in.
DELL-Chris M
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November 17th, 2024 15:07
You should also post the issue on the Apple Forum to see if other U4025QW user have the same issue.
DavidsMac
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November 21st, 2024 01:26
@Chino de Oro the thunderbolt cable is the power cable.
DavidsMac
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November 21st, 2024 01:28
@DELL-Chris M I did. The responses I got from the forum and from Apple support was that this is very likely a firmware incompatibility issue with the Dell monitor. The panic logs refer to the monitor in several places, apparently.
Apple level 2 support says that Dell needs to update the firmware.
Chino de Oro
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November 21st, 2024 01:55
You meant the issue is persisted even with the Mac power adapter plugged in?
DavidsMac
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November 21st, 2024 02:09
@Chino de Oro Let me clarify:
The benefit of this monitor is the single Thunderbolt connection for A/V, power and data exchange.
- David
(edited)
Chino de Oro
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November 21st, 2024 02:32
Understood. Hence my suggestion said testing. The thunderbolt cable can carry video signal, data, and power. Which one that cause the Mac to wake up and reboot?
There should be no activity of data while monitor is in sleep mode. For display signals, the device wakes up the monitor, not the other way around. That leaves power as the last connection. To test if power was the cause, using the Mac adapter should disconnected thunderbolt charging power from monitor.
In other words, put yourself in engineers' shoe, unless the issue is identified, what do you fix in a firmware when it already works within specifications as product descriptions?
DavidsMac
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November 21st, 2024 02:47
So, are you suggesting I test thunderbolt + native power adapter?
And what does this tell the engineers if after a week of testing, there is no restart? And how about if despite using this combo, there remains a restart problem?
Chino de Oro
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November 21st, 2024 03:01
My posts are commenting of suggestion for identifying the issue. It could be a workaround but was not a solution for your preference setup. When there are enough of reports threshold circulating about firmware problem, the issue will gain Dell attention and be justified for working on resolution. Otherwise, changing the firmware that currently works well for majority of users can have a reversed affect.
DELL-Chris M
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November 21st, 2024 11:16
MacBook Pro M3 Max TB4 port --> U4025QW 1.5 M TB4 active cable --> U4025QW #6 140W TB4 upstream port
Kernel Panic restarts
I do not know where in the macOS to change the U4025QW refresh rate Hz? But if you can find it, change it from 5120x2160 120Hz to 5120x2160 60Hz and retest.
Wall power socket --> Apple power adapter --> USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable --> MacBook Pro M3 Max TB4 port
MacBook Pro M3 Max TB4 port --> U4025QW 1.5 M TB4 active cable --> U4025QW #6 140W TB4 upstream port
No Kernel Panic restarts
Wall power socket --> Apple power adapter --> USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable --> MacBook Pro M3 Max TB4 port
MacBook Pro M3 Max HDMI port --> U4025QW 1.8 M HDMI 2.1 cable --> U4025QW #3 HDMI 2.1 port
No Kernel Panic restarts
(edited)
Deltasight
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November 22nd, 2024 07:44
I have exactly the same problem and setup (M3 Max, MacOS, TB4, U4025WQ).
When I connect my laptop in the morning via TB4, the laptop shows the login screen, the monitor awakes, and then shortly after, MacOS crashes and reboots.
I'm running firmware M3T102 by the way and macOS 15.1.
Chino de Oro
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November 22nd, 2024 07:55
See my suggestion. Use the Mac native power adapter in addition to the thunderbolt connection.
Deltasight
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November 22nd, 2024 13:09
@Chino de Oro I will try if this as a work-around.
I hope they address this bug and release a firmware update soon.
DELL-Chris M
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December 11th, 2024 16:35
Our displays team tested multiple U4025QW (M3T102 and M3T103 firmware) with two MacBook Pro M3 with Sonoma 14.6.1. Then updated both MacBook Pro M3 to Sequoia 15.0.1. They tested for 48 hours without using the additional Apple native power connector and did not see any kernel panic restarts. Their conclusion is that the fault is not with the U4025QW.
DavidsMac
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December 14th, 2024 15:43
I've been holding off on a reply to have enough of sample to conclude the issue appears to have resolved itself with the last MacOS upgrade to 15.1.1 (from 14.7.1). I remain on the M3T102 firmware but in roughly three weeks, I've experienced no unexpected restarts.
I'm optimistic that there was some OS-level software compatibility issue, which the newer MacOS addressed.