Why is my screen flickering with this new macOS big sur update? I have a 2020 macbook air

Found this on another thread with the same problem. Fixed up just right on my iMAC!

Hello Roro9,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

We understand that since updating your MacBook to Big Sur your screen keeps flickering when watching Netflix. We're happy to help!

Let's try an SMC reset. 

How to reset the SMC of your Mac

You may also want to try an NVRAM reset. 

Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac

We also recommend starting in safe mode. Sometimes just starting in this mode and then restarting normally can resolve issues like this: 

How to use safe mode on your Mac

Let us know if that worked for you.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!

I have the same problem since I updated my MacBook Pro (13" 2017) to Big Sur.

I called the Customer service and they suggest me to do:

• PRAM reset
• SMC
• Safe Mode

None worked.

Can someone told us what is happening? I can't go to the Apple Store to try something/change hardware/buy a new Macbook.

Same problem with my Macbook Air 2015 11". I just updated my Mac OS to Big Sur last night and since then I have been experiencing alot of screen flickering -- more noticeable when watching Netflix.

I hope Apple will do something about this.

I'm also having this problem. I have a 2020 MacBook Air Retina 13". It would be cool if there were an official response from Apple on this thread - I'm worried that there is something seriously wrong with my computer!

Same here. I have an iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) and had zero problems running Catalina. After upgrading to Big Sur my screen will go blocky and flicker and sometimes just freeze and reboot itself. When it comes back there is a kernel panic report. This will happen multiple times a day. I've tried upgrading to Big Sur 11.1 and still the same problems. I did a Time Machine back to Catalina 10.15.7 which was what I was running before Big Sur and now I am experiencing the same problems with Catalina. At this point I'm wondering if there was some kind of firmware update to the hardware that happened during the Big Sur upgrade and that is why the problem has followed me back to Catalina?!? This is very frustrating and hope Apple fixes this soon.

Flickering is very bad. Unplugging the external monitor for a few seconds, SMS reset work temporarily. Flickering could return back pretty randomly at a very inopportune time. Apple need to fix this quickly. This is happening ever since I have upgraded to BigSur. I see this issue has been there for some time. Its not worthy of Apple to take this long to fix it. Not sure what's the underlying issue and why it is showing up with BigSur.

Hi. Mine as well, my screen is flickering when i put full screen on a video e.g. apple tv+, netflix. It starts for few seconds to flickering the screen light and eventually it gets screen frozen with randomly green and magenta stripes while the mac is unresponsive. Mac book pro late 15

We had this happen on an imac when it updated to Big Sur 11.2.1. Discovered a weird fix for it. It has a Sharp VT-800 LCD projector attached to it. Even with the projector turned off, unplugging it from the imac fixed the flickering!

Update: Apple Support had me take my iMac to Simply Mac. They ran their tests and determined the Logic Board was bad. They replaced the Logic Board and everything works perfect now!! I guess it was just a coincidence with the upgrading to Big Sur and the screen flickering etc...

Fixed the logic board?? really? The internet is swamped with iMac, iMacPro, MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro problems with screen flickering. I too have the problem, which seems to be random....sometimes, I restart and it goes away temporarily. Sometime, I quit Safari, and it again goes away temporarily. Sometime I don't have the problem at all! Come on, Apple techs, let's figure this one out! You guys are supposed to be the cream of the crop, right? I expect better than average support on what seems to be a widespread issue. Why should we pay for extra support when the problem doesn't seem to be "going away"? This, to me, feels like a software issue, I.e., a bug. Where's the patch? Please escalate this to a higher level in order to get brains moving faster! For your best customers?? My family owns more than 30 Apple devices (a low estimate) because we love your products. This flickering issue need rectification, and it needs it NOW!

Loyal and frustrated,

Frank Swiatek

Columbus, Ohio

I've got the same problem, it's so upsetting. It started randomly and now I cannot login anymore as the flickering is non stopping. I can only login in safe mode. Tried all the tricks but it just worsened over time.

Has anyone tried to reformat the HD??

I have a MacBook Pro 2020 i5 and started getting glitching on the bottom of my screen. I tried everything from going into safe mode to completely restarting my laptop and still nothing. I’m really worried.

Does anyone from Apple actually read these discussions? What has happened to Apple? They used to be so good at keeping their systems working. Now, I see many people dealing with the same problem and WE are the ones reinstalling, rebooting, restoring, rebuilding. Not once have I heard someone say “Ah-ha! THAT fixed it!”

Mine did this just now, but only when I had my iPhone XR leaned up against the screen. My mac updated like three days ago and this is the first time it did this. Freaking out because I have finals soon

I have faced the same issue with my mac book pro in late 2017, I have just called Apple Support. They have diagnosed it and as it is in the AppleCare program. They had replaced my screen.

We have done all sort of solutions to reset hardware settings but it won't work.

The reason for such an issue is pressure on your screen when you have it in your bag.