Display Blinks/Flickers then Dies

Question

Display Blinks/Flickers then Dies

Howdy all,

I have a Thunderbolt Display and a MacBook Pro, both purchased in 2013. Over the past few weeks the display has been having some problems. It will at some point start to blink/flicker then, after about a minute of this, just die completely. I have to unplug it for a few minutes then plug it back in then it works again, but until I unplug it it is dead.

I took three videos over the past week on my iPhone of this happening, and I stitched them together for easy watching: https://youtu.be/2_ZAp1QxdVk

Any thoughts about how to fix this? Should I just walk it into an Apple Store and see what they say?

Matthew

Thunderbolt Display-OTHER

Posted on Aug 3, 2015 9:10 AM

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Answer 1

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Aug 5, 2015 7:09 AM in response to Matthew Kelling

Hello Matthew,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

To troubleshoot this issue where your Thunderbolt display is flickering when it's plugged into your MacBook Pro, please follow the steps outlined below.

No video or no signal, image distortion, "snow," or flickering

Check connections

When using an external display be sure to check the following:

If you're using an Apple notebook, confirm the AC power cable or adapter is securely connected to the computer and the cable providing power to the display is also secure. It is always good to have your notebook connected to AC power when an external display is in use.

Confirm display adapters are fully seated in their respective connections and that they are supported models and for the computer and display. Refer to these articles to assist you with adapter compatibility and further configuration information:

Monitor and Display Adapter Table

About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters

Apple Mini DisplayPort adapters: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Remove all display cable extenders, KVM switches, or other like devices and retest to determine if the issue is resolved.

Try unplugging the video adapter or cable and then plug it back in.

If more than one video adapter is in use (or "daisy-chained"), troubleshoot by using only one adapter.
Example: A mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter connected to a DVI to HDMI adapter is an unsupported configuration because there is a series of adapters in use.

If available, try using a different display and or adapter (or use a different connector by using DVI instead of VGA, for instance).

Reset the system

You can reset the Mac's parameter RAM and SMC.

Reset the resolution

Start by resetting the Mac's parameter RAM. If the display does not come up, was previously set to an unsupported resolution, and still results in no video:

Start up in Safe Mode.

From the Apple () menu, choose System Preferences.

Choose Displays from the View menu to open the preferences pane.

Select any resolution and refresh rate that your display supports.

Restart your computer.

If you tried all of these steps for your display and the video issues persist, contact Apple technical support or take your Apple computer to the nearest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for diagnosis. If you plan to visit an Apple Retail Store, make a reservation at the Genius Bar using http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/ (available in some countries only).

Note: Diagnostic fees may apply for issues not covered under warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan (APP).

Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays - Apple Support

Take care.

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