Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen

Dear Old Toad,

According to Apple support, it's an LCD malfunction and the only solution is to replace it.

So it's not a software problem.

It's a hardware problem.

That's already established.

So to everyone who has this problem, there's no point in wasting time trying to find out which App is causing it or which OS update is to blame and reinstalling the OS and all the Apps again and risking losing data trying to solve a problem that has already been determined to be a hardware issue.

Jotap62 wrote:

Dear Old Toad,

According to Apple support, it's an LCD malfunction and the only solution is to replace it.

So it's not a software problem.

It's a hardware problem.

That's already established.

Then maybe the most economical path forward might be an external 3rd party monitor. When you upgrade to a new Mac it can be a second monitor for that Mac.

Horizontal Lines happened to me just today. Bought in Jan 2022. Happened after like 27 months.

Crazy part is display issue happened for me on macbook pro 2017 15 inch after 3.5 years of purchase. Got it replaced for Rs 54000 in india. And keyboard was replaced on it once under warranty.

But keyboard malfunctioned on it too and still does not works effectively. But macbook works nice with external monitor still.

Bought iMac so that if keyboard malfunctions , i can buy it. And it did, after like 16 months, keyboard key 0 stopped working. Bought new keyboard.

But now display issue and that too device that has been on the same place not like moving with macbook.

Again spending same on display. will be too much loss.

Never needed AppleCare before but it seems i should have bought it with iMac.

Just this morning, my 14 pro max dropped and broke back glass but atleast it was my fault not in imac's case.

Double loss on same day. 24/04/2024. I will not forget this day.

This one is 4 usb-c. two fan model.

I have the same problem with a 24inch iMac purchased December 2022, in Athens, Greece. Black horizontal lines filled the screen and the upper right corner of the screen is strangely hot when you touch it. I have not updated macOS, I do not think it is related to that.

Yes, it works. It’s not a software issue. It’s a malfunction of the screen so if you replace it for a good one it will work as it should. I got mine replaced with no additional charges because I decided to pay 150€ for a 5 year insurance plan when I purchased it back in 2021.

Same issue here. iMac M1 2021, pre-ordered it. I've taken the best care of it, after all, it's just sitting on a desk. Seems like the display just spontaneously failed. This happened a week ago.

I don't know if I should replace the screen, because what if it happens again? I'm afraid it's the problem with the design of the screen and/or the computer itself, therefore a replacement may not completely fix the issue in the future.

Can we please get a response from Apple? This doesn't seem like it's an isolated issue, as evident from this thread. A lot of people are having this same problem. This makes me think it's a problem with the design or the manufacturing process.

The tech that did your analysis was thorough. Thats awesome since it's something Apple Stores people will never do for us. If the part is replaced with the same type of components then failure is again inevitable within 2-3 years. Perhaps if the display is set to 50%-60% and turn off auto brightness to prevent ramping it up higher will help make it last longer? Maybe? Sadly unlike cars which can endanger the passengers life, Federal Agencies monitor this, computers are not subject to same Federal Consumer Safety guidelines for component failure. If that component does not pose a safety risk. Like Fire, explosion type results from a component failure.

Hello @erinaki. I called apple again after like 20 days explained this, that someone is being offered free replacement. They were not quoting price. They said reach the genius bar, drove 1 hour 30 minutes in 48 degree celsius heat to reach the mall, there the genius bar said different countries have different rules/laws. And said i have to pay for this. I thought for a while and had no alternatives.

this is the 2nd mac on which i had to change the display by paying. But it was after 3.5 years on that macbook pro 2017 which was like even if i had apple care , wouldnt have mattered but in the case of imac, it was really necessary like the keyboard failed on me and this display now. Even all my future apple products, will make sure to buy apple care. First time broke my iphone back, because of not so good protection case. And back glass can be changed at like 50 dollars outside local shop but he said i will lose waterproof which is sad

I have same problem. 2021 24 inch M1 Desktop Mac. Bought Dec 2021, lines turn up May 24. A little bit more than 2 years. Emailed Tim, hasn't gotten a reply yet.

I find recent apple products' built quality gotten worst. As example the Macbook light i bought 10 years ago last till today. The subsequent 2 macbook i bought, 1 died after a reasonable few years. And 2nd one the screen turned flakey but apple change the screen free for me credit to them.

But it's a worrying trend. If this persist.. i think i'll just stick to iphones going forward.

I am facing the same issue, same model (M1 iMac 24", 2 ports), about 2 years old (purchased Feb 2022).

Hope Apple will do something about it. It is just unacceptable for us to pay an extra 700 just to extend the usage. Does that mean, for me to continue using this device, I have to pay 700 every 2 years?

Last year, my monitor is having the horizontal lines about 1/4 from the bottom. Just yesterday, the horizontal lines is between 1/2 to 2/3 of the screen. Not usable anymore unless using another attached monitor.

When will APPLE act and help us on these?

I bought an imac m1 2021 and black lines started appearing then eventually this weird blotch of purple color started showing on the top left hand screen. Then it gradually got worst to the whole screen is black and the computer is unusable. I also noticed a burn mark up in tge left side of the screen where the putple blotches of color was. I just read someones post that took his computer with same problems to a repair guy to get a diagnosis of it and said something like there is a faulty cable that overheats so this explains it. Im really angry as Apple told me that can’t do anything because it’s out of warranty. I’ve been using Apple for decades and I always take care of my equipment. I use it for work feel really cheated because this computer was defected from the beginning. There was so many issues.

Dear VanCitySean,

I followed exactly all the steps you advise.

I managed to speak to a supervisor in Ireland, which is Apple's base of operations in Europe (case # 102 . 307 . 107 . 711).

The conversation was very nice and friendly. The supervisor even offered to call the next day with more information.

In fact, the next day the supervisor got back to me, but all I got was "I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but since it's out of warranty, Apple can't fix the monitor until a replacement program is set up, which is an exception created by Apple for special cases of widespread equipment breakdowns".

So the solution really is to wait for other cases besides yours to develop and see what solutions Apple comes up with, because for now Apple isn't taking any responsibility for these failures. At least here in Europe.

For you to have been able to solve your problem with such understanding on Apple's part, I assume you're in the USA.

I believe that at Apple's headquarters, the value of a good brand image is more important than the cost of repairing these devices. So it's easier for Apple to take decisions more quickly.

Here in Europe it will be different. They have to report to Apple's headquarters, so decisions take longer...

So, despite this problem, you're a lucky guy ;-) to be in the USA...

I found this on the Apple Support page that shows country of origin by part number. I suppose it can apply to iMacs also.

Origin country of macbook - Apple Community