If you've ever had a flickering MacBook Pro® screen, you know how easily it can ruin your work day or movie night. Fortunately, there are some simple fixes that can help resolve the problem. Show
At Asurion, when tech breaks, we fix it—whether your MacBook® won't turn on or it needs a factory reset. We'll walk you through what to do if your MacBook Pro screen is flickering so you can get back to what's important. What causes a MacBook Pro screen to flicker?Both physical damage and software problems can cause a flickering MacBook Pro screen. Here are some examples:
There are various ways to try to stop your screen from flickering. Our suggestions go from simple to increasingly more complex, so start at the beginning and work your way down the list. Restart your MacBookSometimes, a simple restart will fix your MacBook screen glitch. Just click on the Apple® logo in the top-left corner, then select Restart. Check for a software updateUpdating your MacBook Pro to the latest iOS® version can solve all kinds of issues, including a flickering screen. Here's how to confirm that your laptop is running the latest version of macOS®.
You can’t work when your computer doesn’t want to Get it repaired fast at one of our stores. Just stop in or make an appointment⎯we'll handle the rest. Schedule a repair Disable Dark Mode and True ToneWe're all used to staring at a bright white screen, but Dark Mode offers a darker color scheme that's easier on our eyes. Meanwhile, True Tone technology adjusts the color and intensity of your retina display to match the light around you, so that what you see on your screen appears more natural. Both features can occasionally lead to screen flickering. To disable Dark Mode:
To disable True Tone:
Remove recently downloaded files, unwanted data, and junk filesAnother cause of screen flickering lines on your MacBook Pro? Recently downloaded applications and files, which may have viruses. To erase them from your computer:
You can also use the optimization tools found in Storage by opening the Apple menu, clicking Storage \> Manage, and choosing from the different options: Store in iCloud, Optimize Storage, Empty Trash Automatically, and Reduce Clutter. Disable automatic graphics switchingMany MacBooks come with two graphics systems. They also come with the automatic graphics switching option turned on to enable your computer to use the best one for whatever you're doing—and to maximize battery life. But sometimes the two graphics systems can cause screen flickering. To turn off the setting:
If you don't see automatic graphics switching listed, your computer has one graphics system. Reset NVRAMIf that acronym looks more like a foreign language than a tech term, you're not alone. NVRAM stands for non-volatile random-access memory, which stores different kinds of data, including your screen resolution, volume preferences, and time zone information. Screen flickering can start when the NVRAM is cluttered or outdated. Here's how to reset your NVRAM:
Reset SMCYour MacBook Pro's System Management Controller (SMC) determines how your computer manages power. Much like restarting and updating, resetting the SMC can resolve various glitches, including a flickering screen. There are different ways to reset the SMC, depending on which model you have. If your MacBook Pro has Apple siliconReset the SMC by restarting your computer. There are two ways to check if your computer has Apple silicon:
If your MacBook Pro has a T2 security chipTo find out whether your computer has a T2 security chip, check out this list of device models from Apple, or follow these steps:
If your computer does have the T2 security chip, does, follow these steps:
Restart your MacBook in Safe ModeDoing so will help you figure out whether the software that loads as your Mac starts up is causing your screen to flicker. Keep in mind, your screen resolution may be low and your computer may run slowly—that's normal in Safe Mode. When you're ready, check our guide to how to start your computer in Safe Mode. If the flickering stops in Safe Mode, turn off your Mac and then turn it back on as usual—you're good to go. Run Apple DiagnosticsIf you've tried the troubleshooting tips above but the screen flickering continues on your MacBook Pro, it's time to run Apple Diagnostics. It will help figure out if there's a hardware issue.
If you're using a Mac with Apple silicon:
If your Mac doesn't use Apple silicon:
In both cases, Apple Diagnostics will run a scan for any problems and identify where a defect may be. You'll receive one or more reference codes, which you can read more about here. From here you can do a few things:
If you've tried these steps and still need a little help, we're right around the corner. Schedule a repair at the nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion store and our certified experts can get your device back up and running as soon as the same day. *The Asurion® trademarks and logos are the property of Asurion, LLC. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Asurion is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the respective owners of the other trademarks appearing herein.* Why does my Chrome browser keep flashing on Mac?Disable Hardware Acceleration for Browsers If the flickering screen problem only occurs during browser-based activities like streaming video, consider disabling hardware acceleration for your browser. In Chrome, click the three-dots icon, go to Settings > System, and disable Use hardware acceleration when available. Why is my MacBook Pro screen flickering at the top?Reset NVRAM: Reset it to fix issues like screen flickering. Shut down your Mac. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds. Your MacBook will restart with the NVRAM reset and, hopefully, your flickering screen will be resolved. Why is my MacBook screen flickering red?If the display is flickering: Make sure your Mac and display are connected to one another with good quality cables and adapters. You may also be experiencing interference from a nearby power line, a fluorescent light, a radio, a microwave oven, another computer or another electrical device. What is the red dot on the top corner of my Mac?If you have this red dot appear in the top right corner of your iMac, it doesn't have a connection to the internet — which the computer needs to connect to the database of users your login is on. |