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.

57 replies

Nov 18, 2024 2:17 PM in response to DP TX

I experience the same issue with the following :

  • MBP 14 M2MAX
  • Anker 778 dock


1st monitor is a 4K60 32' BenQ connected from the dock over USB-C => no issues

2nd monitor is a 1440p75 27' Dell 2771S connected from the dock over HDMI or DP => flickering in both cases


No issues with the same setup with a Windows computer (Intel 10th gen over TB).


Anybody tried the latest 15.2 Developer update?

Dec 12, 2024 1:12 AM in response to diogocnunes

The original installation remains untouched, and all the documents/files are still there, however, I had to re-install the Applications for the new install.


For example, the original volume was (in my case) "/Volumes/Macintosh HD", and the files were accessible as usual:

$> ls -l /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/<user_name>


and the files for the new installation are under:

$> ls -l /Volumes/sequoia_v15/Users/<user_name>


Not sure if the Applications from the original installation location would still be able to execute, and most likely they won't be able to execute from the original installation, since the OS version and Library locations etc. are changing.


Creating a new Volume, installing the latest OS version with softwareupdate command gives chance to try the latest OS version(s) to see if the issue is resolved 8-)


Hope it helps.


Thanks.

Feb 16, 2025 11:45 AM in response to DP TX

Same problem here. I have an older M1 macbook pro, no issues until I installed Sequoia (and this wasn't the only issue. My laptop no longer updates properly, always entering safe mode after an update, and there were numerous other things that just went nuts after the initial update). It started flickering immediately after that, on my external monitor.

I also have a newer M2 Studio that I bought late last year, attached to a new 39" Ultrasharp at the same time. No issues at all, installed Sequoia, and now every few minutes it flickers. This is 100% an Apple software bug, which they refuse to acknowledge. I was planning to upgrade my M2 studio and possibly my M1, but no chance in you know where after the horrible experience I've had with Sequoia. Apple is officially the new Microsoft!!

Nov 5, 2024 1:16 PM in response to DP TX

I'm having the same issue after updating to macOS 15.1. In my case, though, the horizontal white lines appear on 85% of my MBP 16" 2023 M2 Pro screen from left to right. I'm wondering if anyone else has had that issue (not on an external display but on the MacBook's display itself).


I am having flashbacks of my last MBP (2018 15") which eventually lost all display functions starting with little lines (in that case, vertical). But that seemed to be a hardware issue eventually suffered by many other people using the same model from that period.

Dec 19, 2024 11:58 AM in response to diogocnunes

That sounds like a different issue than this thread is experiencing, most/all the posters have been talking about the Anker 778 dock. Maybe I've missed something though: I will re-read the discussion.


Edit to add: It feels as though two different threads (One for Anker 778, one not) would be beneficial to keeping these issues straight... As the OP's question was specific to the 778 dock as are about 2/3 (roughly) of the replies, a fresh thread for not-docked may be ideal.

Dec 19, 2024 3:33 PM in response to WhippetRanch

Alright, I will defer to you WhippetRanch.


I still think they're separate issues and that it's Anker's fault based on Anker's reply, but frankly it sounds like either of them *could* do something to address the problem for their end regardless of who "owns" it.


(My testing was done with an official Apple Thunderbolt Video Adapter plugged into the Anker 778's TB Out port and it did nothing to remedy the situation - To be honest with you if the OEM Apple adapter doesn't work in that scenario then the absolute last thing in the world I'm about to do is start throwing more adapters at it.)

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Screen Flicker Immediately After macOS 15.1 Update

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