Mac Book Pro 2019, Touch Bar started flickering and won't stop.

Same issues here for me with the suggestion to just buy another one. Not impressed as this is my first mac after making the switch from a windows PC. I bit the expensive price tag because they’re known for lasting a long time. Now my mac book is constantly restarting unexpectedly and flickering touch bar issues. Very disappointed that Apple refuses to issue a covered fix for their faulty technology. I am now less likely to purchase another macbook.

Yeah, my 2020 MBP just started flickering a couple days ago and today it got stuck with my password and wouldn't go to the browser Apple really needs to fix this or it will be the last Apple product I buy!

Slorigan wrote:

Yeah, my 2020 MBP just started flickering a couple days ago and today it got stuck with my password and wouldn't go to the browser Apple really needs to fix this or it will be the last Apple product I buy!

Are you saying that, when you took the MBP to Apple for service they didn't fix it? If not, did they tell you why not?

I have the exact same problem with my 2019 MacBook Pro. I am a pro user using my machine for work everyday. This issue is so annoying and very common with these machines. There should have been a product recall with these laptops as there is an obvious problem.

Hey msdollman

This is the most intuitive solution I can read here...

And exactly what I thought to do!

I have a good machine that it's brilliant in all other aspect and certainly can live without the touch bar, even the only other solution is get rid of it and spend all that money for a new one!

(or tinkering with too much risky terminal operations)

How is you black tape solution is working now? Still ok?

Would love to know!

Hello BertieSupernova,

It still stops the flickering! Sadly, this has not fixed the crashing problem, but I can work on the darn thing without the additional annoyance.

I did break down and bought a new one with the new processors (video rendering is magically fast now!), and that's when I was reminded why I left this one in clamshell mode for years. This is my proper laptop now (like on my lap), so I had to do something.

So yours doesn't crash?

Good luck!

MSD

I actually haven't tried yet!

My laptop isn't with me at the moment (partly because of the bar issue)...

But it's still a possibility!

Someone else in the chat also seems to have gone down the black tape route...I wonder if they also have something to report??

Thanks anyway!

I have a 2020 MBP and I am having the same issue. It flickers and then goes black and stops working until I restart the computer. I'm concerned that this is a sign that it will die soon. This is a very expensive laptop and I can't afford a new one.

Starting with Ventura, I had this problem on a Macbook 13 Pro M1, 2020. And no touchbar restart scripts, no tricks and hacks help fix the flicker, but the trick you specifically suggested works! This is the least obvious thing I could have guessed. It's terrible that no solutions from Apple have been offered so far.

Your dismissal of the "flashing" Touch Bar issue as merely unfortunate, and your assertion that it hasn't affected your own device, reflects a profound ignorance of the gravity of the situation. The fact that not every affected individual voices their concerns on this forum does not diminish the validity or urgency of the problem. There is ample justification for a recall, as this issue undermines the functionality and reliability of affected MacBook Pros, impacting users' productivity and overall experience. It's essential to acknowledge the widespread nature of the problem and take decisive action to rectify it, rather than downplaying its significance based on individual experiences.

Could be software, could be both.

You're not alone though, for some reason, notifications informs me, these messages have been viewed 25,000+ times.

Until, if & when, Apple comes comes up with a fix, covering the flickering touch bar with black tape seems the best solution? 

The touch bar was really annoying even when it worked...

(screenshot of original post, now deleted, below)

[Edited by Moderator]

Glad that fixed worked! I bought the new M2 chipped laptop to replace and it’s a dream so far. I’ve kept my old Intel one since applying the black electrical tape a few weeks ago, and while I want to throw it against the wall because of the crashing, it’s otherwise serviceable. I’m in for any “consumer rights” action if they gave you any more info.

Hmm so I had my battery replaced in 2022 without them asking for that info. It went in due to a malfunctioning touch bar. Two years on, the whole thing is defunct at 4 years old, and they tell me it is a $1200 'fixed price' resolve. I am taking mine back to the retailer, under Australian Consumer Guarantee. A $3500 laptop should last more than 4 years without 3 major failures. (Or I would have bought a $700 one.)

Obvious failure...will use this thread should I need to take to ACCC...hopefully Apple stay in touch with threads.

13-inch, M1, 2020. Purchased in spring 2021.

Updated to the latest OS.

Flickering is getting worse and worst ...

It starts whenever I open the lid or start the computer. After a while, it stops flickering.

Laptop is out of warranty. It's clearly a hardware issue.

Apple support care can't support at all. That is shameful. Specially for a laptop who has less than 3 years.

There are no solutions to this. We should make more and more noise, as I believe it happens to everyone who purchased a magic touch bar macbook.

It's no wonder they stopped producing them. We now know why.

The Magic touch bar is really magic. Like the black tape you need to put sort of magic.

Guido Paap wrote:

Same here, Macbook Pro 2020, touch bar flickers after clamshell mode. Also having the flexgate issue on this laptop, so all I can do is use the laptop as a network server.. :(

"clamshell mode" means using the laptop closed, and with an external display, keyboard and mouse.

The touch bar is obviously inaccessible in that mode, so this does not seem to make much sense...