Screen Flicker Immediately After macOS 15.1 Update

My monitor started an odd flicker and ghosting of images almost immediately (less than 5 minutes) after performing macOS 15.1 update. Monitor is connected via HDMI and has not had this problem with any monitor in the past.

Mac mini, macOS 15.1

Posted on Oct 28, 2024 8:50 PM

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Posted on Nov 5, 2024 1:40 PM

I have the same issue with the same Anker 778 dock. This has worked for the last year without issues. In that time I've used a M1 MBP and a M3 MBA without issues. Immediately after updating to macOS 15.1, I started experiencing minor horizontal line flickering and signal loss black screens every 30-90 seconds. It's work-stopping and literally makes this Samsung G9 unusable.


In case anyone wanted to try any other docks, I ordered a replacement Anker 778, Anker 575, CalDigit TB4, all new cables, many active DP to HDMI adapters with no change in behavior. The one thing that did work, was to use the CalDigit TB4 dock (which only has DP output) and directly use the DP input on my monitor which seemed to be working ok. My display only has 1 DP (and 2 HDMI) inputs and I need the DP input for my gaming PC so swapping to DP is not an option for me.


I had a troubleshooting session with an Apple senior advisor and we checked everything and they offered no solution. They blame the dock/monitor and suggested I use an Apple display. They also said this issue was not on their issue tracker so please keep posting and upvoting here.


My old M1 works fine via the old Anker 778 through HDMI (it's on macOS 14.6.1). I updated the display's and dock's firmware without success.


There seems to be some change to how macOS deals with downstream displays in the new macOS update. I suspect there is some bandwidth issue thats affecting the output on HDMI via a dock/hub. Using an Apple branded USB-C to HDMI adapter works without issue so it's something downstream through the dock.

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Nov 5, 2024 1:40 PM in response to Nodnarbmai

I have the same issue with the same Anker 778 dock. This has worked for the last year without issues. In that time I've used a M1 MBP and a M3 MBA without issues. Immediately after updating to macOS 15.1, I started experiencing minor horizontal line flickering and signal loss black screens every 30-90 seconds. It's work-stopping and literally makes this Samsung G9 unusable.


In case anyone wanted to try any other docks, I ordered a replacement Anker 778, Anker 575, CalDigit TB4, all new cables, many active DP to HDMI adapters with no change in behavior. The one thing that did work, was to use the CalDigit TB4 dock (which only has DP output) and directly use the DP input on my monitor which seemed to be working ok. My display only has 1 DP (and 2 HDMI) inputs and I need the DP input for my gaming PC so swapping to DP is not an option for me.


I had a troubleshooting session with an Apple senior advisor and we checked everything and they offered no solution. They blame the dock/monitor and suggested I use an Apple display. They also said this issue was not on their issue tracker so please keep posting and upvoting here.


My old M1 works fine via the old Anker 778 through HDMI (it's on macOS 14.6.1). I updated the display's and dock's firmware without success.


There seems to be some change to how macOS deals with downstream displays in the new macOS update. I suspect there is some bandwidth issue thats affecting the output on HDMI via a dock/hub. Using an Apple branded USB-C to HDMI adapter works without issue so it's something downstream through the dock.

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Nov 1, 2024 2:18 PM in response to DP TX

Having the same issue on my Apple M1 Max MacBook Pro after 15.1 update. I'm plugged into an Apple XDR Monitor with Apple ThunderBolt 4 cable. Super frustrating cannot use it, laptop plugs in, hear battery is charging sound, monitor flickers on, then goes to black, I hear power unplugged sound, repeat.


What's the fix, Apple?

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Dec 12, 2024 5:03 PM in response to gt2015

Great news, Anker is aware and working on it. Kind thanks to their support department for a very speedy reply! Their update is:


We are aware of the compatibility issues between the Anker 778 dock and macOS 15.0 or higher. Our team is currently investigating the problem to find a solution. However, we cannot provide a specific timeline for when this issue will be resolved. We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience. In the meantime, keeping your MacBook on macOS 14 is a practical workaround.
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Oct 29, 2024 1:04 PM in response to DP TX

Having the exact same issue on my Macbook Pro M3 Pro... immediately after the update I was getting black screen flickers and screen tearing on my Alienware AW3423DW 34" 3440x1440 HDR 165hz monitor. I tried restarting (again), reseating cable, lowering refresh rate and resolution, display mirroring, etc. Still flickers between lost signal black screen or screen tears (even on static image). Using an Anker 778 Thunderbolt 4 Dock (fabulous solution for Macbook and a Win desktop) with latest firmware.


Will try turning off HDR when back at my screen but it is certainly isolated to the 15.1 update. Only change made before issue. ** Ryan (@whippetranch)

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Dec 11, 2024 4:20 PM in response to DP TX

I have (temporarily) resolved the issue by:

  • Creating an APFS Volume (e.g., sequoia_v15) with 25GB reserved space and no quota limit
  • Downloading the Sequoia 15.0.1 installer (earliest version for me that did not have the issue for external monitor [plus Anker 778 dock]) using command:
softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.0
  • Installing the Sequoia OS to the newly created volume (e.g., sequoia_v15)
    • Once the above command completes, go to Applications, and click on Install Sequoia, and select the new Volume created
    • After the installation, the Startup Disk was automatically set to the new Volume, so I didn't have to manually set the Startup Disk
  • Disable the Software Updates until the issue is resolved by Apple, or a workaround is found


Just to summarize, this issue is not specific to Anker dock IMO - since I use the same dock and external monitor (Dell U3415W) with other laptops without any flickering or blanking issues.


Hope this helps.


Apple - please take a look at this since this is preventing from getting security updates.


Thanks.

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Oct 29, 2024 2:14 AM in response to DP TX

DP TX wrote:

My monitor started an odd flicker and ghosting of images almost immediately (less than 5 minutes) after performing macOS 15.1 update. Monitor is connected via HDMI and has not had this problem with any monitor in the past.

Also using a Mac Mini M2 updated to Sequoia 15.1


The External Display is Directly Connected via a HDMI cable from Display to female HDMI connector of the computer


Sometimes when connecting a USB-C Drive to the computer


I have inadvertently touched or nudged the HDMI Cable for the Display


You may consider Reseating the Display Cable on the computer


An aside to to your actual issue


The Apple Support Community Forums are sometimes visited by AI / LMM / ChatBots.


AI / LLM are basically a Super Version of Predictive Text which is based upon a Data Set.


When that Data Set is based upon older data points, the outcome of the response will be equally out dated and / or  unreliable


Suggest being very careful about this.


Some suggestions can be incorrect, misinformed , incomplete, impossible to do, out right wrong.


If your machine is an Apple Silicon M1,M2,M3 computer


Resetting the SMC and Or NVRAM does not apply at all




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Nov 1, 2024 1:29 PM in response to WhippetRanch

I wonder if this has something to do with the Anker Dock - I am also using the 778 and having similar connection issues with one of my displays immediately after upgrading to Mac OS 15.1 on my M1 MacBook Pro . I tried connecting my DisplayPort monitor to the other port on the Anker dock and seem to be getting better response.

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Dec 19, 2024 11:01 AM in response to Popal24

@Popal24 @diogocnunes The reply from Anker support indicates that they know it is an issue on their end.


It's awesome if Apple does fix this through a macOS update, but based on what we know today, I wouldn't expect them to address this - since it's an Anker Issue.


I will continue to share any updates I receive from Anker Support, and if any of you contact/hear from them I hope you'll please share your updates here too. They offered no timeline, so we should continue using macOS 14 or as Popal did, switch docks.

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Screen Flicker Immediately After macOS 15.1 Update

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