Level 1

20 points

How to resolve flickering and unusable external monitors with the new MacBook Pro 16"? Displays have worked with previous MacBook Pros.

I have two different external monitors that both are behaving the same way.

HP ZR2740w connected via DisplayPort USB-C adapter

AOC USB-C Monitor

The HP is the primary external monitor, but I tested with the AOC monitor that is my travel monitor. Both are currently experiencing the same behavior. Both have worked with other Mac's (MacBook Pro 15", iMac 27"). Seems like there is an issue with the driver on this one alone.

At first I had the devices connected to USB-C on the left hand side. I tried different ports as part of the original troubleshooting a week or so ago and it resolved it by using the right side USB-C ports. Now this morning I come to wake the computer and we are back to flickering when I try to connect either of them. There does not appear to be any update available at this time.

Thoughts?

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Nov 27, 2019 6:28 AM

Top-ranking reply

GolpherZX Author

Level 1

20 points

Posted on Feb 7, 2020 9:54 AM

So this is the first time that I had this continue on to a new monitor (MSI 34" ultrawide) this morning. I changed to mirror my display with CMD-F1 and the monitor got to a good state, as well as my MacBook. Using CMD-F1 again to switch back to multiple monitors put my display right back where I wanted it. This was after multiple unplug and replugs.

Just to re-iterate the process I went through in steps

Came back from lunch, external monitor (set as primary display) would not come on, even though the Mac recognized the desktop (I could move my mouse to it)
Unplugged USB-C adapter, replugged. No change (laptop screen worked fine whole time)
Unplugged and moved USB-C adapter to new port, no change
Unplugged and moved back to the original port, no change
CMD-F1 to move to mirror displays, Macbook display adjusted to match the screen dimensions (21:9)
CMD-F1 to move back to dual displays - all is well

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74 replies

smsmlee

Level 1

4 points

Jan 18, 2020 8:29 PM in response to GolpherZX

I have the same issue with my Macbook Pro 16'. I've never experienced the external flickering issue with other Macbooks (Air, pro 13' and Macbook 11')

Feb 5, 2020 7:14 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

So what's the take away here? In your opinion, is this something that can fixed via a software or firmware update or is this hardware that needs to be replaced?

GolpherZX Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 7, 2020 12:19 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Using Display Port which was built exactly for this. Again, never had an issue with any other MacBook Pro, or iMac until this latest version. To me I'm thinking it is the display driver still...

Feb 7, 2020 2:04 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Flickering only on external.

Feb 8, 2020 8:23 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Well that’s a thought however, I’ve been using the same setup with another Mac for 4 years with no issue. Tried my new Pro 16 and suddenly there are issues.

Feb 8, 2020 8:25 AM in response to GolpherZX

I’ve had this issue as well with my new 16 inch. Also, it stopped charging as well after going to sleep. Something is awry.....

Feb 9, 2020 8:43 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Sounds good, but for me the issue is so intermittent it would be a real hassle to drag the gear in and show them nothing.

Ruban_B

Level 1

4 points

Feb 18, 2020 6:57 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks Grant I've tried this but still an issue.

Chayus

Level 1

4 points

Feb 21, 2020 1:24 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I receive the flickering issue with both USB-C hubs and when plugging my monitor in directly via USB-C to displayport cable, always with the power adapter plugged in

Feb 21, 2020 1:40 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Yes. The power is plugged into the hub. The same way it was with my 15” which had no issue.

palkris

Level 1

4 points

Feb 9, 2020 10:11 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

There’s no reason then why it should work with prev gen MacBook and/or Mac mini. There’s definitely an issue from 16” MacBook side. Also, the display works fine in safe mode. This again tells me that it is not a dock issue - it is something from MacBook

disguy2k

Level 1

4 points

Apr 7, 2020 4:58 PM in response to GolpherZX

Hi, I have this same issue. The flickering only occurs in MacOS. If I switch to Windows 10 with Bootcamp, the flickering goes away. However, when resuming from screen sleep, the screen displays noise for a few seconds.

It's an older Samsung display connected via HDMI, on a Satechi USBC hub.

Using multiple displays via Sidecar works ok, but still has the occasional glitches, so would prefer a proper wired solution.

Hoping this issue gets fixed soon!

Apr 25, 2020 7:28 AM in response to GolpherZX

We have had this same issue for months and finally solved it! Mac Book Pro 2018 was fine with any adapter connecting to our Apple Cinema Displays, we upgraded one of our computers to a MacBook Pro 16" and it flickered no matter what we tried (Dell WD 15 dock, other portable adapters). Contacted Apple Service, no resolve. After ordering multiple adapters to connect USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapters, we found one that finally worked.

Available on Amazon, this QGeeM adapter has worked with no flicker - Search: USB C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter,QGeeM 4K 60HZ Thunderbolt 3 to Mini Displayport Adapter Cable

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QW5QDHB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

zl9600

Level 1

36 points

May 21, 2020 10:29 PM in response to GolpherZX

Curious if anyone has monitored console output for errors to see what kind they're getting? I have a MBP 2018 that is doing this same thing, so it might not be related exactly to the 16" but I get this error whenever I lose my Thunderbolt Display connection (and al peripherals), etc. IT comes back on but I lose all my peripheral connectivity on the TB monitor. Sent MacBook back to Apple, they couldn't find the issue. Bought a refurb 2019 15" from Apple and same issue existed. Rebuilt my laptop from ground up when I got it back from Apple, thinking maybe that might help (vs installing from TimeMachine). No dice. Have tried everything now worried a new monitor might not be the answer after all.

error 22:53:43.477310-0600 WindowServer [ERROR] - Attempting to get capabilities from capabilities with no devices

error 22:53:43.477538-0600 WindowServer [ERROR] - Attempting to get capabilities when none exist

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How to resolve flickering and unusable external monitors with the new MacBook Pro 16"? Displays have worked with previous MacBook Pros.