Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen

I've posted once before in this topic and I'll repeat it again:

You have 3 options:

1 - pay the ~$600 US price for  Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider to repair the monitor (which is over ½ of a new M1 Mac Mini).

2 - get a monitor and use it with your M1 iMac. You can get a 27" or 32" monitor from $140 US on up.

3 - get a new Mac. If considering this option consider the following: a 10 Core Mac Mini M4 with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD ($1084 US) with a 32" LG 4k monitor ($331 US) from Amazon.com)  is $1415 which is $541 less than a similarly configured new 24" iMac ($1956 US)  re 07/2025. Keep your keyboard and mouse from your current Mac for use with the Mini. 

I got the above Mini with a 32" LG 4K monitor w/speakers for only $60 more than the 27" (didn't know the Mini had a speaker).  There are many monitors available in 27" size on up for $100 US to $500 US depending on what features you want.  The monitor prices are before tariffs.

Just some food for thought.

ADDENDUM: in addition to the 3 choices above keep tabs on the Apple Service (Recall) Programs - Apple Support

william0129 wrote:

It seems that the issue is downplayed with search result manipulation. May be it is just me, but I am not able to access this thread or any related ones with keyword search such as "iMac horizontal lines".

?

It is literally the first search result from Brave, and the second one from DDG.

You can contact all the specialists you want, but they won't solve the problem. Unfortunately, you'll have to replace the screen at a high price...

Apple, I wish you a Happy New Year...

Experienced the same issue for a 2021 M1 iMac, went to the Apple Store for checking and was quoted a service charge since it's out of warranty. I was told that since it's not on the official recall program, the staff are not able to offer any better options at the moment. I will try to find some senior specialist to see what are the other options.

It seems that the issue is downplayed with search result manipulation. May be it is just me, but I am not able to access this thread or any related ones with keyword search such as "iMac horizontal lines".

It's a shame

Immediately after the screen fault disaster I purchased a Mini and a very good monitor in order to keep on working.

For a long time I stood waiting hoping Apple would have fixed my M1 iMac screen for free, but it seems they are deaf.

I sold my Macbook as soon as I realize what "they" have become and I went for a Dell 5420 notebook (i5 refurbished 250 Euros) with Debian.

As soon as I'll complete some tasks here I'll roll back to Linux, only iPhone will represent an apple for future here.

I would consider moving back to a PC on my next purchase :(

The longer Apple waits to address this unfortunate issue, the more once loyal customers will find a solution on their own. Perhaps by buying another iMac and taking their chances it won't recur, perhaps by paying out of pocket to replace the screen assembly (and hope the issue won't recur), by moving to a Mac Mini or back to a PC with an avoidably bad experience under their belts and with a justifiable grudge against a multi-trillion dollar company that it appears has let everybody down.

Which are you / which will you be?

Has anyone tried replacing the screen's flat cable?

https://morrick.me/archives/9877

Apple knows the problem well....

I emailed the Register about this thread, and the issue.

If some media attention, may also get attention from Apple.

I think you have to navigate through Apple site till you find "feedback", which goes to Apple tho maybe - like me - i will seem like a message into the void, with no response at all.

Hi,

I'm contacting you about my M1 iMac 24" that recently developed lines on the screen. Unfortunately, it's beyond the warranty period.

While researching the issue, I came across numerous online reports of similar screen failures with this specific model. This suggests a potential widespread problem.

I understand your warranty policy, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could consider a one-time exception due to the documented issue. I'm a loyal Apple customer and would be happy to discuss options like a discounted repair or store credit towards a newer model.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

To Universall ,

we also have same issue with our IMac like yours. we contacted Apple support through chat with USA country in Apple account. but they assigned to India support team. Apple India denied exception and said it would be paid service. please let me know how to directly escalate to USA support. any help would be appreciated. thank you.