MacBook Screen Freeze

When I use Zwift on my MacBook with a usb-c lead connected to hdmi out. The screen intermittently freezes for long periods.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Processor - 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Memory - 32 GB 3733 MHz LPDDR4X
Graphics - Intel Iris Plus Graphics 1536 MB

If I use a separate usb-c connector for the ANT+ and the HDMI lead I can unplug the HDMI and then the screen goes black for about 10-15 seconds on both TV and MacBook, then unfreezes (on the MacBook) and I plug the HDMI back in and continue; until the next freeze in (x) minutes.

This happens every time I use Zwift without fail. It does not affect any other programs therefore it is certainly a problem with Zwift and not with my MacBook or the MacOS (this is a problem that has spanned MacOS updates).

A number of Zwift updates ago - I used Zwift without any issues on the same MacBook, same screen, same leads, same internet router and network adapters etc. This problem was introduced by one of the previous updates - however, I cannot say when it started.

This is VERY frustrating as it ruins the ergonomics of my training setup (I spent quite a lot setting it up).

Hi Michael!
I’ve been experiencing a very similar issue when a second screen is plugged via a C-USB hub with HDMI. In my case Zwift is on the MacBook Pro’s main screen and when it freezes it never unfreezes until I disconnect the C-USB cable. I see it’s been 3 months and you haven’t received a reply from Zwift.

Ronny,

hi, no I got no response at all - and yes it sounds like you have exactly the same issue as me. I eventually switched to AppleTV 4K and thus far all is good. I have had a couple of connection issues but that could have been wifi related. No screen freezes and back on the large widescreen via the Apple TV HDMI output. Only issue is now I have no keyboard for messages.

Good luck

Mick

Hey Michael,

I also have a 2020 13" MBP with i7 and have been experiencing the same problem for the last few months. As you said, the only solution seems to be unplugging the HDMI cable to get the display to ‘refresh’, and then reconnecting. The freezing only occurs on the actual MBP screen, and seems to happen completely randomly - could be every few seconds, minutes, or not at all (very rarely) during a ride. Despite the screen being stuck, the program continues to function with a 0 frame rate, and doesn’t stop my ride. It’s not only extremely annoying, but also difficult because I occasionally need to fiddle with cables while doing intervals or racing.

I originally thought the freezing only occurred with an external monitor connected, but confirmed yesterday that it can happen to the laptop on its own. Unfortunately, I can’t force the display to ‘refresh’ without a monitor, and Zwift ended up crashing every time rather than continuing to run with the screen frozen.

Sad we’re all experiencing this issue, but it’s reliving to know I’m not alone hahaha. Hopefully they can get a fix released soon?

Happening to me as well. 2020 13" i7 MBP, connected via USB-C to HDMI. I (like others) am relieved to know it’s not just me. I find that if I close/open the lid, it’ll “think” for a moment and then un-freeze. Hopefully the bug can be fixed quickly, but also hoping this helps for the time being. It usually happens to me on the pairing screen or ride selection screen. Sometimes in the actual world before I start riding. But I don’t think it’s happened at all while I was actually moving in a ride.

Hey, Did you have any luck resolving this issue? I quite Zwift about a year ago because of this fault. I thought that 12 months would have been long enough for them to fix it but it would seem not.
I have a 13 inch 2020 MacBook Pro
Processor 2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
Graphics Intel Iris Plus Graphics 1536 MB
Memory 16 GB 3733 MHz LPDDR4X
OS Ventura Version 13.0.1
Been bouncing around with Zwift’s enthusiastic but pretty ineffectual support but I’m getting no-where. I may just have to stick with Wahoo for another year…
Any insight would be much appreciated, Michael.
(by the way, I just run Zwift on my laptop and use a dongle for connectivity).

I don’t use external monitor but still experience the freeze. The game doesn’t crash (sound and sensors etc still works). If I press the key combo to switch to another program (e,g. cmd + tab) it immediately starts working again. This happens quite random. Sometimes the game runs for quite some time and other times it happening every 5 min or more.

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Same problem, but it’s about a 10-15 complete screen freeze then it comes back. Started happening about 2 weeks ago.

I’m on a brand new MacBook Air M2, usb-c to hdmi out to my Tv. I actually changed to using a laptop because the ATV had become so unstable, and now this, ffs…

I see nobody really has a solution so far, so anyways wanted to report it. Thanks

Same problem as above in the last 3 weeks. Random freeze. Exactly the same configuration as Richard:
13 inch 2020 MacBook Pro
Processor 2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
Graphics Intel Iris Plus Graphics 1536 MB
Memory 16 GB 3733 MHz LPDDR4X
OS Ventura Version 13.0.1

Never happened before.

Very annoying and I think I will not renew the subscription if it keeps freezing.

That could be the problem, try to find a solution in forums (I have no idea how drivers work on Mac, sorry).

Hi guys,

Sad to say I experience this bug as well.
Macbook Pro 2020, i5, 16gb

I don’t use external screens but it still freezes within a couple of minutes of each ride. The weird thing is, it doesn’t freeze when i just maximise the screen WITHOUT going in to full-screen mode. So i just run in windowed mode and then drag the screen to the corners.

So that is my workaround. Still a bit salty about it, but at least i can do my rides this way.

Yesterday zwift updated to 1.33.3 (107565) and in one hour of session, in full screen, the screen did not freeze, differently from the past. Maybe the bug has been solved. I will check in the following days.

Hi is this issue solved for you? I have exactly the same since I switched from Ipad to Macbook pro 2020 32GB ram. Game is running extremely smooth, but every now and then it freezes. I can undo it by cmd tab it, but it is annoying. Anyone a solution?