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M1 MBP Screen Flickering, External Monitor Crashing, & Unable to Connect to Apple Watch

Hi all, I LOVE this new M1 MacBook Pro, but it is exhibiting some issues that my Intel MacBook Pro never had!


First, I have noticed the built-in display sometimes flickers if the resolution is scaled down. Scaling it back to default seems to fix the problem. Anyone else seeing this? I want to make sure it's a software and not a hardware issue.


Second, when connected to an external monitor, I have seen the M1 lock and log me out and the external monitor will go black. It's the same monitor and cable I used with the Intel Mac and never had this issue. It's EXTREMELY aggravating because it will lock me out in the middle of work.


Lastly, and maybe this is somehow related to the display issues, my M1 MacBook Pro does not automatically unlock when my Apple Watch is nearby like my Intel Mac used to. I went into Settings>Security and I click on the "Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps..." and then I get this error every time: "Your Mac was unable to communicate with your Apple Watch."


These three things are really affecting my workflow, so I'm hoping these are easy fixes. Anyone else seeing these issues?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Dec 4, 2020 7:26 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 8, 2021 3:15 AM

SOLVED!


I had a similar/same issue: M1 Macbook Pro screen flickering when plugged in to HDMI external monitor through the Digital AV Apple Adapter.


I noticed that the screen flickered when I stood up and went to sit down. I figured it might be the proximity sensor. And it was! So when you rub over your webcam, you can trigger the flickering! You can even see it being triggered if you open up the display settings and see the brightness bar automatically adjust itself as you are rubbing your webcam.


If you open your Display settings and switch off "automatically adjust brightness", the flickering will stop.


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Jan 8, 2021 3:15 AM in response to jmz2009

SOLVED!


I had a similar/same issue: M1 Macbook Pro screen flickering when plugged in to HDMI external monitor through the Digital AV Apple Adapter.


I noticed that the screen flickered when I stood up and went to sit down. I figured it might be the proximity sensor. And it was! So when you rub over your webcam, you can trigger the flickering! You can even see it being triggered if you open up the display settings and see the brightness bar automatically adjust itself as you are rubbing your webcam.


If you open your Display settings and switch off "automatically adjust brightness", the flickering will stop.


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Dec 29, 2020 5:27 AM in response to jmz2009

Same problem. Mac Mini M1 16GB, from rear Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port straight to a BenQ EL2870U display (3840x2160) Display Port. Tried various resolutions, with/without HDR, etc. — exact same vertical lines and flickering once there's enough 'dark areas' visible on the screen. Other forums have screenshots, they all match exactly the issue we're having here. It was NOT fixed by Big Sur 11.1, I am on the latest updates, did nothing.

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Feb 26, 2021 10:35 AM in response to jmz2009

For me this happens depending on the monitor connected. Using my Mac mini M1 (Big Sur 11.2.1), this is what I see:


  • LG UltraFine 5K (the older model from 2016) TB -> TB. => no issues.
  • Sceptre U279W (4K 60hz) over DisplayPort -> TB => no issues
  • Lenovo A19270QY1 (1440p 144hz 27") over DisplayPort -> TB => picture goes black and then comes back a couple times per minute


So it does look like a real issue, but whether it occurs depends on the external display being used.

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Feb 2, 2021 2:30 PM in response to pluka

i installed the update this afternoon. I’ve got a Mac mini did anyone get a weird flashing on the screen like this.

I thought it had bricked itself! It stopped after a couple of minutes. The flickering now seems fixed and no more Bluetooth issues.

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Mar 4, 2021 10:30 AM in response to jmz2009

Having the same issue here as well. MBP M1 running Big Sur 11.2.2.


Screen on MBP flickers inconsistently. Yesterday no issues. This morning no issues. But right now...it's flickering every few minutes. Currently attached to HP 22cwa external monitor via a USB-C splitter to HDMI.


Additionally, having issues with screen resolution on MBP as well when connected to external monitor. Can only see as far as the Siri icon...can't see date/time. It's very annoying when using the laptop as a dual monitor and trying to work in full screen windows on the laptop.


Apple, can you please fix this?? Never had this issue with my intel MBA.


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Mar 10, 2021 3:43 AM in response to HillAustinD

Today an apple technician in russia refused to replace my defective device with a new one, referring to the fact that now I could only use the repair, I am sad.


My acBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) — flickers even without connecting an external display.


The automatic keyboard backlight just doesn't work.



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Dec 8, 2020 11:02 AM in response to pinklemonbar

I'm having the exact same issue. I just got my MBP today, and after I plugged in an HDMI to connect to my TV, the screen on my MBP will occasionally flicker. I'm guessing this is just a bug with the new software, or with Google Chrome, as it only happens when I'm in Chrome. It's not a huge issue, as it only happens when I'm plugged into the HDMI.

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Dec 10, 2020 10:45 AM in response to jmz2009

I have this exact same issue with my MBA M1, an apple usb-c to hdmi + USB dongle and a Dell HDMI monitor. It flickers A LOT in the built-in display when I'm connected to my external monitor. At first I thought it was an issue with the dongle, but that's not the case, since so many are reporting the same.

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Dec 10, 2020 10:53 AM in response to andrelmaraujo

This is maddening! I can’t get any work done with this new machine because it cannot keep a stable connection to the external display. For the record, I have an M1 MacBook Pro with 8GB RAM and 512GB storage. I’m using the Apple HDMI to USBC dongle with a 60hz HDMI cable and connected to a Samsung 4K monitor.

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Dec 11, 2020 7:13 AM in response to jmz2009

I have the same issue. Dell external monitor directly connected to the MacBook Pro M1 via the USB-C port. With the dual monitor, the system first kicks me out and need to enter my password again. Then, the external monitor goes blank-the ports on the monitor remain active. I then unplug the monitor and plug it in again to the other port and it works. Both ports work fine as I use the other port for charging. This doesn't happen every time only periodically when I boot-up the computer.

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Dec 20, 2020 3:02 PM in response to pinklemonbar

My m1 mac mini is connected to 2 4K monitors - A Dell and an LG. The LG was intermittently flickering and then completely going blank for a few seconds - this would happen every 1-2 minutes. The Dell was fine and is connected via a DP to usb-c cable. The LG was using some random HDMI cable I had. Replacing that HDMI cable with a high speed "premium" cable completely fixed the issue on the LG !


tl;dr - check quality of cables

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Dec 25, 2020 5:55 AM in response to jmz2009

Yes my M! MacBook Pro is doing the same flickering, but it's on the Laptop screen not my external monitor. It started about 3 days ago, but it started when I wasn't connected to my external display. It continued after connecting. it goes away if I move the screen after some time, but it's clearly an issue of some sort with the machine. In my case, the external Monitor is always fine it's only the laptop screen that flickers.



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Dec 25, 2020 5:56 AM in response to PaRedVFRRider

Yeah, my built-in display is still flickering every now and then when not connected to the external display. Apple said they could replace the Mac but it would take a month to get me a replacement and they don’t know for sure if it’s a software or hardware issue yet

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Dec 26, 2020 6:26 PM in response to jmz2009

Does anyone else have this problem??? My Mac is running Os 11.0 Big Sur. And my computer will crash. For a millisecond it flashes pink then the screen goes black. The Apple logo appears and I’m brought to my log in. This has happened about 20 times since I got my MacBook Pro M1 for Christmas literally yesterday!!!

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M1 MBP Screen Flickering, External Monitor Crashing, & Unable to Connect to Apple Watch

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