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MacBook Pro 13" 2020 Screen Flicker bottom 1/3rd

I'm coming up on 3 weeks of owning the new 13" MacBook Pro 2020. I've got the i7/32GB/1 TB SSD and it's normally connected to 2 external monitors without issue. When I use just the native screen on the laptop, sometimes I'll notice that the screen will flicker in the bottom 1/3 area and it just keeps happening every few minutes. Sometimes it won't do it at all, and I'll have no issues.


Can anyone help me figure out what's going on? Is this a hardware or a software issue? I'm super irritated that this computer would act like this especially considering the price tag.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 5, 2020 10:36 AM

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Posted on Jul 5, 2020 10:54 AM

Make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service after the stores re-open. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. Also, see How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD). You may also get Apple authorized service at a local Best Buy or contact Apple Support for more options.


Contacting Apple Customer and Support Service


  1. Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
  2. You get 90 days of free telephone support from date of purchase of your Apple device. You should use it.
  3. Primary support help at Contact Support.
  4. To contact product and tech support:  Contacting Apple for support and service including international calling numbers.


"Your Apple-branded or Beats-branded hardware product (“Product”) is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original retail purchase (“Warranty Period”) when used in accordance with Apple`s user manuals (refer to www.apple.com/support/country). Under this warranty, you will be able to direct your claims to Apple even in situations where you purchased the Apple Product from a third party.” [Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty – Accessory - For Apple and Beats Branded Products Only.]


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Question marked as Best reply

Jul 5, 2020 10:54 AM in response to SOJHA

Make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service after the stores re-open. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. Also, see How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD). You may also get Apple authorized service at a local Best Buy or contact Apple Support for more options.


Contacting Apple Customer and Support Service


  1. Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
  2. You get 90 days of free telephone support from date of purchase of your Apple device. You should use it.
  3. Primary support help at Contact Support.
  4. To contact product and tech support:  Contacting Apple for support and service including international calling numbers.


"Your Apple-branded or Beats-branded hardware product (“Product”) is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original retail purchase (“Warranty Period”) when used in accordance with Apple`s user manuals (refer to www.apple.com/support/country). Under this warranty, you will be able to direct your claims to Apple even in situations where you purchased the Apple Product from a third party.” [Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty – Accessory - For Apple and Beats Branded Products Only.]


Jul 5, 2020 11:15 AM in response to SOJHA

If you think it's software, then see the following:


A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    If possible, backup your files before proceeding.


  1. Shutdown the computer and disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  2. Wait 30 seconds before you restart the computer.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences, if needed, after resetting the PRAM.
  6. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.  Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac and Playing Safe - what does Safe mode do?
  7. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  8. Reinstall a Combo Updater: macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Combo Update, macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Combo Update, macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Combo Update, macOOS 10.12.6 Combo Update, OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update.
  9. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  10. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Install OS X then click on the Continue button.
  11. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


Jul 5, 2020 10:58 AM in response to Kappy

****. Do you really think it needs to be serviced or even brought to the store? I was thinking this was a software issue. The thing is that I only see the flickering happen when it's using the screen of the Mac, and not on my displays. and it only happens occasionally. Could this be due to the cable connecting the logic board to the display, or do you think it's an OS issue?

MacBook Pro 13" 2020 Screen Flicker bottom 1/3rd

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