Mac Studio M1 Ultra External Monitor Flickering

This happens with my Apple M1 Studio as well! I got this computer a year ago and love the way it runs but the flicker drives me absolutely insane. I use a 4K Dell Monitor. I've tried replacing and even buying new a new monitor to troubleshoot.

I've called Apple support multiple times and they tell me there's nothing they can do about it.

To know my computer is not just faulty makes me hope that this is something that can be fixed in an update. I fear that this is just a bug that comes with the computer. I am also sure that if you buy Apple's $2000 monitor it will not flicker. Nonsense.

Anyway, maybe if enough of us complain this issue can get resolved somehow. I would love Apple to at least acknowledge the issue considering a lot of people are having it happen. It tends to get worse when more windows are open or the screen gets busy and it's THE WORST!!!

To use a ThunderBolt to DisplayPort adapter/cable, the Thunderbolt/USB portion from the computer to the adapter electronics must be shorter than one meter. The cable from the adapter electronics to the display must also be shorter than one meter.

if the adapter electronics are in the distal (far from the computer) end, the total length of the adapter/cable is limited to one meter.

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If supporting a high-end display with a genuine Thunderbolt cable, that cable needs markings at both ends indicating it is a [tested and] certified Thunderbolt cable. The length of such a cable is limited to 0.8 Meters, maximum for highly engineered Apple brand cables, and 0.5 meters max for Brand-X cables. Such cables are not 'active' cables (with ThunderBolt repeaters in them), which cost in excess of US$200 each for modest lengths like two or three meters.

Hello. Have some odd flickering since a few days, like old graphic card bug. Especially when working in c4d, the viewport starts flicker, stromboscop style. Very bad for my eyes. Certainly not good for the graphic card. Apple macstudio m1 ultra 2022, Apple Studio Display 27p, Sonoma 14.4.1

Bad driver ?

I'm having the same issue. Flickering interlace image over HDMI with a mac studio m2 max and a Dell S2721Q 4k monitor.

I've tried:

• different HDMI cables (no change)
• disable nightshift (no change)
• disconnect and reconnect monitor (no change)
• power cycle computer (no change).

It tends to happen late afternoon for me (so could be triggered by night shift starting).

After 10-15 mins it goes away.

Agreed this is a massive problem. This has been ongoing for years and Apple has not said a thing.

I'm going to report this to the FTC and the General Counsel of my state because I can't even use this technology without getting migraines. It's baffling how there hasn't been a recall of this yet.

It really is very frustrating, I've got exactly the same monitor and have exactly the same issues. I'm coming to the point where I have no choice but to swap out the monitor because just as I am in the middle of something important it happens and it's so hard to look at the screen when it's flickering like that. If a reboot or something fixed it, then it would be at least bearable but it doesn't.

The real question is, what monitor do I even pick, I daren't rely on any reviews.

Does anyone have/know of a list of 'safe' monitors (32" 4k) that work well with the Mac Studio MAX that don't have any flickering?!

I just want to chime in that this is still a problem. M1 ultra, Dell curved monitor, Hi-speed display port cable that I purchased separately and is not a lower end brand (I forget the exact brand, I've just dealt with the issue for about a year). I've tried both active and passive cables. I've done a similar amount of testing and swapping, same issues.

This issue also occurred with 2 other monitors that I've tried. It however does not occur on my crappy 1080p monitors.

Everything is within spec. Less than 10' cables. I believe 6' but it's been a while since I checked. I don't buy longer cables than are necessary. I've tried multiple resolutions, options, and refresh rates. Nothing changes. Darker screens always flicker. Which sucks because I prefer dark mode.

I said both active and passive in my original reply. Do you have a solution or just the same questions that have been asked?

Please assume that literally everything that has been suggested in this thread has already been tried. Are there any OTHER possible causes besides cables and settings? Is there some sort of apple firmware that can be requested or anything? This is not an external problem. This is absolutely an apple problem (likely with the chipset).

If there are extremely specific setups that need to be utilized, outline that, exactly, with all limitations and optimal setups. Something like:

"Use this adapter to go from thunderbolt to display port, use this length of cable from this brand, use these monitors at these refresh rates at these resolutions."

Alright, with that in mind, here is a link to a Certified Cable. Will that one resolve the issue? It is 6.6 feet, but certified to transmit 40gbs. If I'm understanding correctly, no adapters should be used except the cable itself it sounds like. Since virtually no monitors besides apple's own monitors are thunderbolt capable, this leaves a lot of room for improvement on clarity for customers.