MacOS 11 M1 DisplayLinkManager Crashes and System logs out user

[wassiz]

UPDATE: ROSOLVED

When I first installed DisplayLinkManager everthing worked fine (Dell 1440p Monitor HDMI), then I rotated the display in Settings. The Image freezes as from another forum user.

I know read that M1 BigSur Screen Rotation is not supported right now, which is fine.

But now Display Manager Crashes and my user gets logged out of BigSur everytime I start DisplayLInkManager with Monitor attached.

Reinstalling the app didnt resolve the issue.

any suggestions? Like clean delete macos display settings or similar could help?

UPDATE:

Deleting window server plists files resolved the isssue:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist (sudo rm ...),
~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver.blah-blah-blah.plist

[Hnswrstnllngssn]

thank you for your post @Wassiz - I am having the same issue, but the resolution doesn’t seem to work for me.

Would you mind posting the detailed steps you took? What I did:

Uninstalled DL software
removed .plist file (there was only one in my case)
Rebooted

—-> still the same issue of crashing and logging out after starting DL manager.

[kmillard]

I do not see that file when I go to Finder - Go - Library....is it in a different spot?. thanks

[cyphun]

First off, thanks for posting this, it helps to know that I am not alone with this issue.

I was able to find the .plist files you mentioned and removed them, but I am still experiencing the exact issue you described. Does anyone know how quickly things like this get addressed? I am really liking the M1 MacBook Pro, but not being able to use multiple monitors may be a deal breaker.

[jimmy5]

I'm experiencing the same issue. Deleting windowserver file did not work for me.

[cyphun]

First off, thanks for posting this, it helps to know that I am not alone with this issue.

I was able to find the .plist files you mentioned and removed them, but I am still experiencing the exact issue you described. Does anyone know how quickly things like this get addressed? I am really liking the M1 MacBook Pro, but not being able to use multiple monitors may be a deal breaker.

I updated to 1.2 this morning and it is still doing the same thing, just as a another data point.

[KatarzynaCzaja]

Hello,

Thank you all for reaching out!

We'd appreciate if you could gather logfiles and detailed description of the issue you are seeing and steps already taken to find a solution.
The steps to gather the logfiles can be found here: https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/755301-how-to-report-macos-issues-to-displaylink


Those along with description of the problem please email to technical-enquiries@synaptics.com or post in the response here.

Thank you,
Katarzyna

[jailbreak]

The steps from the first post DID work for me (I rotated a display on M1 and found out it didn't work), here's what I did to recover:


unplugged the docking station
removed TWO files - yes there are two files: one is in system-wide /Library/Preferences, and the other is in your home directory - note the "~" character in beginning of the path! ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver*
rebooted
reconnected the dock, all works fine in landscape mode


Paste below line in the Terminal and hit Enter to see exact locations of files you need to remove:

for f in /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver* ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver*; do echo $f; done

Hope this helps.....

[helixpt]

Exactly the same problem here, I'm so glad I've found this post!

I've already sent a UserVoice and was about to re-install my OS, although I've run to some complicated issues (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211983) while formating an M1 mac and was fearful of doing it again just before the week starts.

I've attached a DisplayLinkInfo with the most detailed settings here that I was logging just before getting loged out after pluging in the screen.

I'm gonna try the proposed solution here and report back in a few minutes.

[helixpt]

Just tried it and was only able to find the file on the first location. Deleted it and it didn't work.

Btw here's the LS of the second directory:

helixpt@Andres-MBP ~ % cd /Users/helixpt/Library/Preferences/ByHost
helixpt@Andres-MBP ByHost % Ls
com.apple.AMPLibraryAgent.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.AOSKit.RegInfo.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.AOSPushRelay.TopicInfo.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.Bluetooth.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.FaceTime.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.ManagedClient.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.QuickLookDaemon.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.accessibility.universalAccessAuthWarn.7D F273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.commcenter.csidata.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.configurationprofiles.user.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.controlcenter.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.dock.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.finder.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.identityservicesd.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.imservice.SMS.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.imservice.ids.FaceTime.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.imservice.ids.iMessage.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.loginwindow.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.screensaver.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.settings.storage.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.sharingd.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.soundpref.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.apple.systempreferences.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.logmein.COLVideo.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist
com.logmein.GoToMeeting.7DF273B3-79B3-58C7-AEE1-06252AF00941.plist

Also the command to find it didn't return anything as expected, but it should be cached somewhere.

helixpt@Andres-MBP ByHost % for f in /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver* ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver*; do echo $f; done
zsh: no matches found: /Users/helixpt/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver*

[helixpt]

Solved

Guys, although I wasn't able to find both files as reported in the previous post, I was indeed able to fix the issue. I'm not recommending this solution since it's a nuclear approach, but it worked nonetheless.

It makes total sense to me that should be some file stuck with preferences after attempting to rotate the screen. Something (resolution, window position, wtv, gets recorded in a way after attempting to rotate de DisplayLink controlled display, that makes something in the OS crash. Then you're logged out.

Since I only was able to find 1 of 2 files reported in this topic and was ready to format the machine if fixed, I backed up the complete preferences folder and deleted everything I could (the OS doesn't allow the deletion of only 2 files), and rebooted.

Surprise surprise, the next time I logged in, opened DisplayLink, connected the dongle and it was fixed for good.

Ideally, the next step will be for the DisplayLink team to at least make a script to find those preference files and auto-delete them for all those that encounter this issue go back to a functioning device ASAP, until the driver properly supports rotation on M1 Macs running Big Sur.

Keep up the great work.

[pecham202020]

I also have an M1 Mac with Displaylink 1.2 installed. As soon as I open Displaylink Manager the computer crashes. Then I log in again and since Displaylink Manager is set to open at login I end up in a reboot cycle. So the only solution is to either disconnect the adapter or to uninstall Displaylink Manager. For now I have uninstalled Displaylink Manager.

I have not tried any of the proposed solutions.

[pecham202020]

I also have an M1 Mac with Displaylink 1.2 installed. As soon as I open Displaylink Manager the computer crashes. Then I log in again and since Displaylink Manager is set to open at login I end up in a reboot cycle. So the only solution is to either disconnect the adapter or to uninstall Displaylink Manager. For now I have uninstalled Displaylink Manager.

I have not tried any of the proposed solutions.

I have now tried the proposed solution and removed the plist files. My M1 Mac still crashes upon the launch of DisplayLink Manager.

[pecham202020]

Any update?

[pecham202020]

Has anyone found a fix to this?

[hlitgtg]

Had the exact same problem. Solved with the method from this post by jailbreak.

The steps from the first post DID work for me (I rotated a display on M1 and found out it didn't work), here's what I did to recover:


unplugged the docking station
removed TWO files - yes there are two files: one is in system-wide /Library/Preferences, and the other is in your home directory - note the "~" character in beginning of the path!
rebooted
reconnected the dock, all works fine in landscape mode


Paste below line in the Terminal and hit Enter to see exact locations of files you need to remove:

for f in /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver* ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver*; do echo $f; done

Hope this helps.....

[valdirjrpv]

Guys, so even with version 1.3, I can't even try to rotate the monitor? Risky? Still, do we have support? MAKES MONTHS ... = (

[KatarzynaCzaja]

Guys, so even with version 1.3, I can't even try to rotate the monitor? Risky? Still, do we have support? MAKES MONTHS ... = (

Rotation currently requires an Intel-based computer on macOS Big Sur 11.0 and later.
Display rotation is yet available on computers using Apple M1 silicon. This feature is under development.

For anyone having issues with the logouts please make sure that with M1 computers you do not have any of your screens rotated.

We have received reports of crashes and subsequent user logouts on MacOS machines with M1 chips, usually triggered by setting screen rotation.


If you are experiencing such issues, please do the following:
Unplug the dock and restart your machine to make it operational again.
Download fixing script from our website: Reset macOS display persistence (https://synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads/macOS-display-persistence-reset).
Unpack the archive, so that you have ResetDisplayPrefs v1.20.command in your Downloads folder.
Run Terminal and execute these commands to run the script:
cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
sudo ./ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
The script has to be run with administrator privileges, this is required to forcefully delete defective system settings. Type in your password and press enter.
The script will display list of display-related settings files that will be deleted and will ask for confirmation before proceeding.
After confirmation the script will delete those files, forcing MacOS to recreate them from scratch.
After the script finishes it will ask you to reboot your machine. You can plug in your dock after reboot and the issue should be resolved.

Best regards,
Katarzyna

[rboerner]

Rotation currently requires an Intel-based computer on macOS Big Sur 11.0 and later.
Display rotation is yet available on computers using Apple M1 silicon. This feature is under development.

For anyone having issues with the logouts please make sure that with M1 computers you do not have any of your screens rotated.

We have received reports of crashes and subsequent user logouts on MacOS machines with M1 chips, usually triggered by setting screen rotation.


If you are experiencing such issues, please do the following:
Unplug the dock and restart your machine to make it operational again.
Download fixing script from our website: Reset macOS display persistence.
Unpack the archive, so that you have ResetDisplayPrefs v1.20.command in your Downloads folder.
Run Terminal and execute these commands to run the script:
cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
sudo ./ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
The script has to be run with administrator privileges, this is required to forcefully delete defective system settings. Type in your password and press enter.
The script will display list of display-related settings files that will be deleted and will ask for confirmation before proceeding.
After confirmation the script will delete those files, forcing MacOS to recreate them from scratch.
After the script finishes it will ask you to reboot your machine. You can plug in your dock after reboot and the issue should be resolved.

Best regards,
Katarzyna

The post above mentions a script to download, however it does not include a download link.

I am aware of a link to download version 1.10 of the Reset Display Persistence script --> https://www.displaylink.com/downloads/file?d=145

However the instructions from DisplayLink mention version 1.20. Is there an updated link available to the version DisplayLink mentions?

[KatarzynaCzaja]

The post above mentions a script to download, however it does not include a download link.

I am aware of a link to download version 1.10 of the Reset Display Persistence script --> https://www.displaylink.com/downloads/file?d=145 (https://synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads/macOS-display-persistence-reset)

However the instructions from DisplayLink mention version 1.20. Is there an updated link available to the version DisplayLink mentions?

Thank you for pointing that out, I corrected the post and added the link.

[Gorg]

Rotation currently requires an Intel-based computer on macOS Big Sur 11.0 and later.
Display rotation is yet available on computers using Apple M1 silicon. This feature is under development.

For anyone having issues with the logouts please make sure that with M1 computers you do not have any of your screens rotated.

We have received reports of crashes and subsequent user logouts on MacOS machines with M1 chips, usually triggered by setting screen rotation.


If you are experiencing such issues, please do the following:
Unplug the dock and restart your machine to make it operational again.
Download fixing script from our website: Reset macOS display persistence (https://www.displaylink.com/downloads/file?d=330).
Unpack the archive, so that you have ResetDisplayPrefs v1.20.command in your Downloads folder.
Run Terminal and execute these commands to run the script:
cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
sudo ./ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
The script has to be run with administrator privileges, this is required to forcefully delete defective system settings. Type in your password and press enter.
The script will display list of display-related settings files that will be deleted and will ask for confirmation before proceeding.
After confirmation the script will delete those files, forcing MacOS to recreate them from scratch.
After the script finishes it will ask you to reboot your machine. You can plug in your dock after reboot and the issue should be resolved.

Best regards,
Katarzyna

Thank you for this, completely fixed the issue for me! Looking forward to the screen rotation update.

I can't believe apple doesn't support these things automatically and makes their customers find 3rd party solutions. Does no one working at apple use 2+ monitors or vertical monitors!?

Anyway, thanks displaylink, you guys are doing god's work!

[press_play]

Thanks for this thread, it saved me. I kept crashing and being logged out due to having a display rotated. Where can I follow the update to enable rotated displayed on M1 chip MacBooks?

[karlissimo]

Hi all. Thank you a lot for the solutions here, helped me a lot with getting out of logging out cycle.

I recently found a way, how to have two monitors where one monitor is rotated. MacBook has two USB-C ports. Use one port with DriverLink to connect one external monitor (which is NOT going to be rotated), and use the second USB-C port with a different hub (I used HyperDrive) to connect the second monitor to it, which allows rotation.

Enjoy!

[kckingc]

Rotation currently requires an Intel-based computer on macOS Big Sur 11.0 and later.
Display rotation is yet available on computers using Apple M1 silicon. This feature is under development.

For anyone having issues with the logouts please make sure that with M1 computers you do not have any of your screens rotated.

We have received reports of crashes and subsequent user logouts on MacOS machines with M1 chips, usually triggered by setting screen rotation.


If you are experiencing such issues, please do the following:
Unplug the dock and restart your machine to make it operational again.
Download fixing script from our website: Reset macOS display persistence (https://www.displaylink.com/downloads/file?d=330).
Unpack the archive, so that you have ResetDisplayPrefs v1.20.command in your Downloads folder.
Run Terminal and execute these commands to run the script:
cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
sudo ./ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
The script has to be run with administrator privileges, this is required to forcefully delete defective system settings. Type in your password and press enter.
The script will display list of display-related settings files that will be deleted and will ask for confirmation before proceeding.
After confirmation the script will delete those files, forcing MacOS to recreate them from scratch.
After the script finishes it will ask you to reboot your machine. You can plug in your dock after reboot and the issue should be resolved.

Best regards,
Katarzyna
Hi, the link goes to the DisplayLink installer, not the ResetDisplayPrefs tool. Is there another link?

[JakubDabrowski]

Hi, the link goes to the DisplayLink installer, not the ResetDisplayPrefs tool. Is there another link?

Hello,

Here is the new link for you, please try with it: https://synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads/macOS-display-persistence-reset

Best regards,
Jakub

[robert.2]

Hi, I just registered to tell you that it solved my problem. Thanks! :)

After upgrading my MacOS X from 11.5.x to 11.6 the mentioned problem appeared, crashing monitors and logout.

I did delete the two files and executed the script as described and it worked.
Thanks also for the new corrected download link for the script.

[sinaudjango]

Rotation currently requires an Intel-based computer on macOS Big Sur 11.0 and later.
Display rotation is yet available on computers using Apple M1 silicon. This feature is under development.

For anyone having issues with the logouts please make sure that with M1 computers you do not have any of your screens rotated.

We have received reports of crashes and subsequent user logouts on MacOS machines with M1 chips, usually triggered by setting screen rotation.


If you are experiencing such issues, please do the following:
Unplug the dock and restart your machine to make it operational again.
Download fixing script from our website: Reset macOS display persistence (https://www.displaylink.com/downloads/file?d=330).
Unpack the archive, so that you have ResetDisplayPrefs v1.20.command in your Downloads folder.
Run Terminal and execute these commands to run the script:
cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
sudo ./ResetDisplayPrefs\ v1.20.command
The script has to be run with administrator privileges, this is required to forcefully delete defective system settings. Type in your password and press enter.
The script will display list of display-related settings files that will be deleted and will ask for confirmation before proceeding.
After confirmation the script will delete those files, forcing MacOS to recreate them from scratch.
After the script finishes it will ask you to reboot your machine. You can plug in your dock after reboot and the issue should be resolved.

Best regards,
Katarzyna


hello could you fix this link?
invalid download ResetDisplayPrefs.command link

[rboerner]

hello could you fix this link?
invalid download ResetDisplayPrefs.command link

The updated link to the 'Reset macOS Display Persistence' script is here --> https://synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads/macOS-display-persistence-reset

[nickspiel]

This also solved the issue for me. Keen for an update when monitor rotation is supported.

[adrummer11]

If anyone is encountering this persistent issue and is having trouble with the terminal commands in the solution, you might try adjusting the commands to:


cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x ResetDisplayPrefs.command
sudo ./ResetDisplayPrefs\.command


I found that iOS rebuilds the deleted files upon reboot, which starts the problem all over again. For now I just drop the above in the terminal when I start up in the morning and then don't reboot at the prompt. It's an annoying couple of extra minutes but works, unless anyone has a better idea.

[KatarzynaCzaja]

I downloaded the zip file and extracted. But the command line reports no file in directory or command not found after entering password. Has there been any further updates to this?

Please follow the below steps:


Download the DisplayLink Support Tool available here (https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads/macos-support-tool)
Disconnect your docking station from your computer for a moment - so you are able to log into your computer.
Run the DisplayLink Support Tool.
Then select Advanced in the left top corner of your top menu bar and once expanded select Reset Screen Layout
Then restart the machine, connect dock again and try to log in - this may require to setup your layout one more time.

[jyhwks]

The DisplayLink Support Tool worked for me. Thanks!

[Tikumo]

I have tried it all, still not working. Up until my update from Sonoma i've had no problems..

I have found that removing the Displayport from the dock (Lenovo) makes that the App won't crash. Only a HDMI connected gives me no errors but also no screen. It will give me the "sharing" icon in the top bar.

As soon as I add the Displayport, no matter what port, it shuts the app down and only the usb hub still works.

- Removed plist files with and without the tool.
- Used the info tool to remove the layout.
- Reinstalled windowlink manager app
- Tried older version
- Tried much older version.

-------
Just set the monitor that was registering to 30 HZ and it shows up. (always worked on 60Hz).
Then adding the displayport monitor (4K) and they both stop working again, not even showing up.

--- Second update.
After setting my 4k monitor to Freesync it works again. HDMI monitor still wont go higher as 30Hz. At least it won't quit the app anymore. Now i need to get a second displayport cable, to test Freesync on the second 4K monitor.