Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

10 points

When waking Macbook Air 2012 from the Login Screen, the display flashes, then works normally. Mildly concerned.

I have only noticed this behavior when no users are logged in, and the computer is put to sleep by closing the clamshell. It also only appears to happen after an extended sleep, meaning 30 minutes or more. I open the clamshell, the backlight comes on, I see the login screen, then the screen flashes like when Photo Booth takes a picture, then the computer works normally. This is not a great concern, but it is unusual. It doesn't happen when a user is logged in. It doesn't happen during boot. I am running 10.8.2, and do have power nap enabled. I have noticed the behavior both when running on the power adapter and on the battery. No Accessibility functions enabled. Trying to isolate the issue, and reaching out for others with same behavior. Cheers.

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Sep 20, 2012 7:45 AM

Best reply

Jon P D

Level 4

1,522 points

Posted on Sep 20, 2012 11:25 AM

the screen flashes like when Photo Booth takes a picture

Do you have any security software installed? Some have features that take a photo with the webcam when the lid is opened.

View in context

72 replies

Sep 30, 2012 7:20 AM in response to davidnave

Same display flash on my 2011 Macbook Air. Turning off powernap on battery off does not reslove issue. Has to be a software issue as I cannot remember my Air doing this before 10.8.

Sep 30, 2012 10:48 AM in response to martyfromtx

Apple released a firmware update shortly after releasing Mt Lion. The Powernap settings were greyed out when Mt Lion was first released. The firmware update fixed the problem, enabling the Powernap settings. I set Powernap On for both power adapter and battery. And I experienced the same problem of the screen flashing twice on wake. Changing the setting Enable Power Nap on battery power to Off, fixed the problem.

Macbook Air mid-2011

Sep 30, 2012 11:06 AM in response to nodnilrac

This seemed to have worked for me as well. Thanks!

Oct 5, 2012 10:16 PM in response to martyfromtx

I'm having the same issue. Mid 2011 MBA and the screen flashes when waking up from sleep. I do not have Power Nap enabled on battery power and it still flashes.

Noticed the issue on 10.8.2.

Oct 9, 2012 3:50 PM in response to martyfromtx

Disabling PowerNap did not rectify the screen flash on wake-up... somewhat concerning... Ed

Oct 15, 2012 6:04 PM in response to davidnave

Same issue here, noticed it the very first morning after upgrading to Mountain Lion. Question to others experiencing this issue... how many of you have an SSD HD installed in your Macs? just playing with some ideas..

Oct 15, 2012 6:07 PM in response to VistaUltimate29

I have. After all, I'm a MacBook Air user.

da-cam

Level 1

0 points

Oct 16, 2012 8:37 PM in response to davidnave

I too have a Macbook Air, 13 in and have the flash issue. I thought something was wrong, but that seems to be my only issue with M. Lion. I have never enabled Power nap so... that isn't the issue. Hope someone comes up with an explanation/solution. It is an annoying new phenomenon. Glad to know it is not just my machine.

Oct 17, 2012 5:00 AM in response to davidnave

I've got the same issue on my mid 2011 Macbook Air 2011 - never before upgrade to Mountain Lion - disabling power nap does not resolve it for me - hoping Apple will fix this as clearly a software issue.

macdaddy

Level 2

205 points

Oct 17, 2012 7:50 AM in response to davidnave

I've noticed the same thing, if I put my air to sleep while it's under a bit of load the screen will flash at wake the way it fashes if connecting an external monitor. Im pretty sure it's just the video card starting up or resetting.

Oct 19, 2012 1:56 AM in response to davidnave

Bizarrely my Macbook Air has stopped doing this - I turned off powernap, but it was defintely still flashing. I've since rebooted a couple of times and it no longer flashes - doesn't make a great deal of sense because I'm fairly sure I didn't make any other changes....

Oct 23, 2012 1:33 PM in response to davidnave

I was able to solve this by disabling "Show mirroring option in the menu bar when available" from System Preferences > Display

Oct 24, 2012 9:27 AM in response to cosminium

Good tip. That seemed to do the trick for me as well.

davidnave Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 26, 2012 3:59 PM in response to cosminium

I thought at first you had found it. I tested it for several days after disabling that feature, and the issue persists on mine.

Oct 26, 2012 9:23 PM in response to davidnave

Looks like I spoke too soon. It went away after disabling the feature...but now it's back.

When waking Macbook Air 2012 from the Login Screen, the display flashes, then works normally. Mildly concerned.