Mac mini and external display issue

[Timbre70]

I have a Mac mini 2012 connected to external display. It has been functioning very well until recently.

The display (ViewSonic) monitor will blank out suddenly every now and then (about 15-30 mins interval) despite I am actively still using the computer.

I need to turn off the display and wait for a minute to turn it on again.

What is the likely cause?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[shawn_sboi]

Try another monitor to see if it happens.

If it doesn't it means your view sonic monitor is having a problem

If another monitor having same issue. It may be the mac mini

Try doing the hardware test

https://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT201257

 

[Timbre70]

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately, I don't have another spare monitor to try out. I tried the AHT, given clear "bill of health". Lol...

I will try to dismantle every connections and rewire back to see what happen again...

 

[Timbre70]

I unplug and plug back all points, straightened all wires (instead of bundling the excess up). It seems to "improve" a bit. It does not turn off as frequently as before, Then again, it is less predictable compared last time, making trouble-shooting even more difficult.

 

[R4YM0ND]

this seem to be a problem for os x on certain monitors. do you have bootcamp? does it happen in windows?

 

[Timbre70]

this seem to be a problem for os x on certain monitors. do you have bootcamp? does it happen in windows?

I don't have bootcamp, used purely as a Mac. Never had this issue before until very recently.

 

[szeli]

without another monitor to troubleshoot very hard to isolate e issue...

 

[R4YM0ND]

If you have firefox, turn off hardware acceleration

 

[Timbre70]

Quick update:

Quite sure now it's a display issue rather than Mac mini issue as the display randomly shuts off by itself, i.e. no lighted ON/OFF indicator, power cut off. Needs to turn off main switch, wait for >20 seconds and turn on again.

Experimented by turning on aircon and putting a USB fan behind the monitor to cool it down. Seems to work well.

Probably the internal fan (if there's one inside???) is fried.

 

[jeffrey745]

Quick update:

Quite sure now it's a display issue rather than Mac mini issue as the display randomly shuts off by itself, i.e. no lighted ON/OFF indicator, power cut off. Needs to turn off main switch, wait for >20 seconds and turn on again.

Experimented by turning on aircon and putting a USB fan behind the monitor to cool it down. Seems to work well.

Probably the internal fan (if there's one inside???) is fried.

To b sure, bring ur mac mini to an apple shop to try on the cinema display?

 

[Timbre70]

Conspermed monitor fault. Totally gone case now. Bought a new DELL P2014H. Couldn't been happier.