MacBook Pro 2017 (13") – screen pixel/line flickering

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Level 1

8 points

MacBook Pro 2017 (13") – screen pixel/line flickering

Hi everyone,

I ran into a very frustrating issue today and have tried a variety of solutions (all described in more detail below), to no avail. I would greatly appreciate any help or useful pointers that you provide!

My questions with regards to the information below:

1. Has anyone encountered this specific issue before? If so, was it on the same/similar model?

2. Does anyone know what the cause may be, and if so, what the fix/solution is?

=====

Hardware and software:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
masOS Catalina Version 10.15.5

Description of problem (see attached images):

Short horizontal lines (one to several pixels wide) randomly flicker/flash on the screen.
The problem seems to be worse in certain applications, especially web browsers (this holds for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox). However, there seems to be no difference between pages with static (only text/images) and dynamic (GIF/video) content.
This flickering can also be seen above the Dock from time to time, especially when an application is open and on screen (i.e. not minimised).
When all windows are minimised and only the desktop is visible, these random flickers do not seem to occur.
During boot/start-up, when the Apple logo and loading bar are shown, there is a single, vertical line stretching all the way from the top to the bottom of the screen, on the right-half of the screen.
Now, whenever I open the screen, the Apple logo and loading bar (i.e. same as during boot/startup) are shown briefly before the lock screen is show. This is new behaviour that I have never encountered before.

Further notes:

I frequently use an external monitor as a second display. None of the above mentioned flickering occurs on the external monitor. For example, if there is flickering in a given browser window, as soon as I move that window across to the other display, the flickering in that window stops.
I have never dropped or otherwise damaged by MacBook.

Attempted solutions:

(Please note that none of these attempted solutions have fixed the problem.)

Regular restart; regular shutdown and boot/startup
Unplugging and re-plugging external monitor/display (HDMI via Apple "USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter")
NVRAM reset
SMC reset
Safe Mode boot (and subsequent shut down and boot in normal mode)

Posted on Jun 24, 2020 11:57 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Jun 28, 2020 5:27 PM in response to nic294

Hi nic294,

It seems you're having trouble with your display. You've taken some great steps already, and we can find the next steps on the path to getting this fixed together.

From the steps you've taken so far it indicates there's a hardware issue with the actual display on your Mac.

It may be in line with the symptoms outlined here:

13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program - Apple Support

At this time it would be best for you to contact Apple Support to review your repair options:

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Good luck.

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

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Answer 2

nic294 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 30, 2020 2:33 AM in response to CarlAVII

Hi PsyDye

Thanks for your reply.

I took my MacBook to my local Apple authorised reseller (where I originally purchased it). One of the technicians ran the diagnostics and notified me over the phone yesterday that it is definitely a hardware (screen) issue, in line with what you indicated. It has now been sent in to the service centre for repairs. Hopefully I will get a clear indication as to what exactly the issue was (in which case I will relay that info here for the future reference of anyone else who encounters the same problem).

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MacBook Pro 2017 (13") – screen pixel/line flickering

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