MacBook Air M3 display flashes black after opening lid from lock screen

Question

Level 1

4 points

MacBook Air M3 display flashes black after opening lid from lock screen

I'm experiencing a persistent display issue with my MacBook Air M3 (16GB RAM).

For approximately two weeks, every time I open the lid after locking my Mac, the lock screen appears normally, then flashes completely black for a split second before returning to normal. The display works perfectly afterward.

I've done extensive troubleshooting and discovered the following:

No apps are listed under "Open at Login" in System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions.
I checked the LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons folders using Terminal. They contained only recognizable Microsoft, Zoom, Riot Games, and Steam entries. No osascript or bash entries were found.
I disabled all applications under Background App Activity, but the problem persisted.
I updated macOS to the latest available version, but the issue remains.
True Tone and automatic brightness are disabled.
I tested different wallpapers and screen savers without success.
The issue persists in Safe Mode.
The issue does NOT occur in a newly created macOS user account, even when repeatedly locking the screen and closing/reopening the lid.

Posted on Oct 27, 2026 2:43 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

210,963 points

Oct 27, 2026 5:32 PM in response to titas80

"MacBook Air M3 display flashes black after opening lid from lock screen: [...]The issue does NOT occur in a newly created macOS user account, even when repeatedly locking the screen and closing/reopening the lid."

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Mac Screen Flickering:

A. NOT in a New User:

Excellent job performing that --something I recommend to many, when ti comes to hardware issues. If you get the issue, then it is an issue with he entire Mac. If not, then it is an issue with the current user. So, there is something running that should not be, perhaps a configuration.

B. Reinstall the macOS:

Try reinstalling the macOS. IMPORTANT: Create a Time Machine Backup or your Mac prior to performing the reinstallation. That way, you can have something to restore your Mac from, should anything go wrong afterwards.

C. Restore from a Time Machine Backup:

Have you ever created a Time Machine Backup, prior to this issue? IF so, back up your Mac (for restoration purposes), and then restore from it, seeing if you no longer get this issue.

D. Clear "System Data":

"System Data" (formerly called "Other") contains caches, which are created so that apps open quicker by remembrance of application use. So, clearing them, you might rid of a few caches that are getting in the way --it takes effort, but it sure fixes a lot issues (clearing hard drive space, is another thing it is used for). Use my User Tip: How to Use Finder to Clear “System Data" on a Mac - User Tip

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Answer 2

titas80 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 28, 2026 2:49 AM in response to TheLittles

Fixed my Mac's black flash! Moved the wallpaper/screen saver files aside with a Terminal command, restarted, and it flashed once more then never again. Looks like old corrupted wallpaper data in my account was the cause.

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