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Macbook pro retina flicker

Dear Support,


I bought a Macbook pro retina recently, and now the screen keeps flickering, and is very annoying.

I am not sure how to reproduce it, when it happens, it will have horizontal lines cutting across the screen very quickly and disappear.

It happens randomly across all application.


It is the same as,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq0l-bHmSYE


I have updated all patches, and still doesn't help.


Could you please advice how to fix it? Do i have to send it back?


Kind Regards

Andy

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Oct 17, 2012 6:10 AM

Reply
249 replies

May 5, 2013 12:25 PM in response to jprobson3

I too have the flicker with my MBPR. I bought mine in Sept and the flicker stared months later. I also bough my son one in Jan. He hasnt seen the flicker but it sound like maybe some burn in although he though maybe a book rubbed against the display. My flicker doesnt seem to have any pattern. It will go for hours or days without doing it then might do it 4 times in 15 minutes. Heat or grounding seem to make no difference. Iguess I will watch it and make sure the Genius look at it before the one year waranty expires. I was suprised to hear that they will probably replace the logic board and display even if they cant see the problem. How do I check the type of displays we have?. System report doesnt seem to show anything beyond the video chips? Has anyone noticed the flicker starting after the computer wsa bumped hard? Its a great machine with or without the flicker.

May 16, 2013 5:57 PM in response to YCLAM

I'm another member of the screen flicker club. I bought mine sometime in late June 2012 and it just started this week. No rythm or pattern to the screen flicker. It can occur multiple times in a few minutes and I can be fine for several hours. I'll be taking my Mac back to the store for repair.


I'm saddened that Apple is not taking this issue seriously.

May 17, 2013 4:53 AM in response to YCLAM

Use the bottom of your fist (pinky finger side) to hit the aluminum area right above the F5 key and the flicker will stop. You don't have to hit it very hard for the flicker to stop. Yes, I know... don't hit your precious Macbook Pro. I'm sorry but the flicker is so insanely irritating that you'll do anything to regain your sanity. Hit it right there and watch the flicker disappear... it works like a charm. Note that this is only a temporary fix. It will likely recur within a day or two. When it does just hit it again. This will keep you sane until you bring your laptop in for repair.

May 30, 2013 3:30 PM in response to jonpegnato

@jonpegnato: Not sure why you expect to get the shaft from the genius. Take video of the flicker - many people on this board were unable to produce the flicker when at the Apple store, but showing video of it convinces the genius. The problem is a trapped wire or bad connection between the computer and the screen which runs through the left side hinge. It's pretty well known by the genius community now. Good luck.

May 30, 2013 5:34 PM in response to davidbsmith

It took me three visits, even with video.


1. All I got was a diagnostic.

2. They replaced my logic board.

3. The problem returned and they replaced my screen.


I brought video all three times and none of the geniuses had heard of the problem or could find anything about it in their 'special genius files'. It seemed like no one believed me. So they very well can give you the shaft. At least they do around here.


My Apple Store is in Oak Brook, IL if that matters.

Jun 1, 2013 2:24 PM in response to YCLAM

YCLAM,


You have a 1 year warranty, 90 days of free phone support, and 14 days from purchase to swap for another machine. If you take it in to the Genius bar, I recommend making an appointment. If it seems to do it when warm, go early and fire it up to get it up to temp so you can show them.


Take advantage of this!


Phone support 800-692-7753

Jun 7, 2013 8:27 AM in response to YCLAM

Having the same issue since purchasing mine 10/2013, not sure when it started but seems like it was not too long after I bought it. It was seriously wacked today with lots of flicker after coming out of sleep mode, which is what brought me here looking for some answers. Thanks for all the details on what others have done to get it resolved, hopefully that will help get it done righ the first time.

Jun 11, 2013 12:54 PM in response to YCLAM

Im so starting to get annoyed now.

My screen flickering started about 3months ago. Every once in a while, nothing major.

At this stage it is getting worse and worse, the whole screen judders and shakes and flickers that im getting sick. Apple obvoiusly dont care. I spent fortune on my macbook pro retina ( so called high end laptop).

Im totaly disapointed in this product, and i wonder when will apple do something about it.

Macbook pro retina flicker

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