MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017) screen flickers when NOT connected to an external display.

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Paroda Author

Level 1

8 points

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017) screen flickers when NOT connected to an external display.

Hi,

I am facing a weird issue with my 2017 MacBook Pro.

When my Mac is connected to an external display it(both built-in Retina display and external display) works fine.

But if it is disconnected retina screen flickers(like going off and on).

macOS Catalina

10.15.7

(Issue started a couple of days ago randomly. I updated from Mojave to Catalina thinking it might fix the issue.)

Resetting NVRAM and SMC doesn't do anything.

No flickering in Safe Mode.

It's basically unusable unless connected to an external display.

Any Idea how to fix this?

Thanks

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 25, 2020 11:07 PM

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Answer 1

Sharhari

Level 5

6,293 points

Sep 26, 2020 12:33 AM in response to Paroda

Since there is no flickering in safe Mode.

Please also check if you have same issue in another user (Test in a new user).

"To learn whether software in your user account is causing the issue, set up a new user account, then log in to it and try to reproduce the issue in that account."

Hope it helps.

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Answer 2

Paroda Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 26, 2020 2:19 AM in response to Sharhari

Thankyou for your response.

Issue is same in another user.

It starts to flicker on the login screen itself.

No issues in safe mode or when connected to external display.

Issue seems exactly the same as discussed in this thread from 2018.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8430138

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Answer 3

Sharhari

Level 5

6,293 points

Sep 26, 2020 2:42 AM in response to Paroda

Safe mode doesn't load/run complete graphics set.

Perform Apple Diagnostics Test: How to use Apple Diagnostics on your Mac - Apple Support

See if it reports anything.

Please backup and perform a clean install to check if the issue persists.

If you still have the issue you may need to contact Apple support or service to get it fixed.

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Answer 4

Paroda Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 26, 2020 4:27 AM in response to Sharhari

No issues found(ADP000) in Apple Diagnostics.

I will backup and perform a clean install to see if it helps.

Thankyou for your time, Sharhari.

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