I had been tormented for a long time by a second-hand ASUS ProArt PA32UCG monitor.
It’s undoubtedly a great monitor, but both its previous owner and I ran into the same issue: once it entered sleep mode, there was simply no way to wake it up—except by restarting it.
I did some deep research using ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok. Based on their search results, they all pointed to the same conclusion: many users had reported similar issues with ASUS monitors—albeit different models. The suggestions were fairly consistent: try swapping HDMI cables, switch to a PD connection, or use a Thunderbolt cable. Some users had reportedly solved the issue by pure chance this way.
So began a frustrating period. I switched from Mac to PC, experimented with different power management settings, cycled through multiple HDMI cables, and updated to the latest firmware. Nothing worked. The AIs concluded that it was likely a design flaw—some ASUS monitors just can't be awakened from sleep. It was pure luck whether yours worked or not. The only hope? A future firmware update—maybe.
Today, I stumbled upon an accidental fix. Here’s what happened:
I wanted to try using a vertical mouse, but didn’t want to spend too much since I wasn’t sure if I could get used to it. So, I picked up a super cheap wired vertical mouse—Delux M618XS. When it arrived, I didn’t even bother plugging it into my Mac. Instead, I connected it directly to the PA32UCG’s USB port.
Then—like magic—it happened. After the PA32UCG went to sleep, I moved the mouse a bit and clicked randomly... and it woke up! I repeated it several times and confirmed it: connecting the mouse directly to the monitor allows it to wake from sleep. It takes about 10–15 seconds, but it works—and that's a wait I can live with.
My guess is that a mouse directly connected to the PA32UCG sends a signal that the monitor can actually detect—perhaps one with higher priority than what comes through HDMI. Either way, my long-standing issue is finally solved. I haven’t tested it with a wired keyboard yet, but maybe that works too. Would love for someone else to try and confirm.
That said, my PA32UCG still has issues. If it stays in sleep mode, the fan kicks in and makes an annoying noise. If I turn the monitor off, the next startup doesn’t always detect the HDMI signal. The trick is to hit keys on the keyboard right as the monitor powers up—get the timing right, and it works. If not, it’s back to turning it off and rebooting again.
Before this, I had completely given up on waking the PA32UCG from sleep—I’d just turn it off and back on every time. Now, finally, I have a reasonably easy solution. Thank goodness. Most of the time, ASUS products are brilliant. But sometimes, it’s hard to believe what you’re holding is made by ASUS.