MacBook Pro display shows rainbow-like colors and drastic brightness changes

After opening my MacBook Pro (m5pro 24gb 2026) i sometimes get a bug where the whole screen is covered in „Rainbow“-Like Color and everything is Hard to read. Changing Display calibration preset fixes it but only for the Moment. Also when working in lightroom classic the brightness sometimes changes drastically even though everything relating to that is disabled.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.6

Posted on Sep 5, 2026 2:35 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 6, 2026 7:01 PM


An unusual display issue...


if this is brand new return for one that works as expected:

you have a limited 14 days for an exchange or refund for any reason—see Returns & Refunds Order status

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple


Only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either online or at an Apple Retail Store


Your 90 days of complimentary telephone support begins on the date of purchase.

Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)



To trouble shoot further you can:


—A SafeBoot Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support will sort many anomalies


Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled temporarily.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.


This test will tell you if third party interference; most extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.


*** (if you are using a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries— connect the charging cable, this will make the wired keyboard successful Safe Boot your Mac.)


—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 



unplug all non-essential peripherals when testing

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS



If no resolve try plugging in an external monitor and compare those results— it maybe a work-a-round if it is not cost effective to repair...



Get your mac repaired and how much will it cost

Product Service and Repair Information - Official Apple Support


Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support




2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 6, 2026 7:01 PM in response to Schermlon


An unusual display issue...


if this is brand new return for one that works as expected:

you have a limited 14 days for an exchange or refund for any reason—see Returns & Refunds Order status

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple


Only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either online or at an Apple Retail Store


Your 90 days of complimentary telephone support begins on the date of purchase.

Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)



To trouble shoot further you can:


—A SafeBoot Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support will sort many anomalies


Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled temporarily.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.


This test will tell you if third party interference; most extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.


*** (if you are using a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries— connect the charging cable, this will make the wired keyboard successful Safe Boot your Mac.)


—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 



unplug all non-essential peripherals when testing

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS



If no resolve try plugging in an external monitor and compare those results— it maybe a work-a-round if it is not cost effective to repair...



Get your mac repaired and how much will it cost

Product Service and Repair Information - Official Apple Support


Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support




MacBook Pro display shows rainbow-like colors and drastic brightness changes

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