M4 Mac mini not working with 27" LED Cinema Display

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M4 Mac mini not working with 27" LED Cinema Display

I am trying to connect a M4 Mac mini base model to the 27'' LED Cinema Display, (the one with three hard wired cables, mini display port, usb, and a laptop charger). I am using a third party adapter, the Answin mini display port (female) to usb-c (male) adapter and it does not work. All of the other forums that I have looked over say that this should work, but it won't. It is plugged into the thunderbolt 4 ports on the back of the Mac mini and it will not work.

here is a link to the adapter that I am using: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V828R4Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

the Mac mini is updated to the newest IOS version as of this post (Tahoe 26.2)

Posted on Dec 31, 2025 6:05 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 31, 2025 6:35 PM in response to DanMacMiniM4

The Mac does not rely on Windows-like side-loaded "Drivers" which are actually packages of resolutions and settings for a specific display. Instead, it goes straight to the immutable source -- it asks the display itself.

To get a Mac display to become active, you need the Mac to query the display, and the display to answer with its name and capabilities. Otherwise, the display will not be shown as present, and no data will be sent to the display. "No signal detected" is generated by the DISPLAY, not by the Mac.

This query is only sent at certain times:

• at startup

• at wake from sleep — so momentarily sleeping and waking your Mac may work

• at insertion of the Mac-end of the display-cable, provided everything on that cable is ready-to-go

• hold the Option key while you click on the (Detect Display) button that will appear in Displays preferences (from another display)

so try doing some of those things and see if the display comes alive.

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Answer 2

Dec 31, 2025 6:12 PM in response to DanMacMiniM4

You may need to connect the USB cable, as well.

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