Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

Just an update... Genius bar hasn't been able to reproduce the problem with their equipment. I am feeling very lost. They said they will touch base with me tomorrow. I have a feeling this is a problem we're going to have to live with for a very long time.

I have the same issue on my 2016 MacBook 12". I'm using the Apple HDMI multiport adapter. I get intermittent screen black outs while in macOS and right to left screen tearing in Windows 10. I have the same (worse) behavior with an Anker HDMI/USB-C hub. I tried an Aukey hub and only had non-stop flickering that was unusable. I don't seem to have any issues with an Aukey USB-C to HDMI direct (non-hub) adapter, but since I can't charge while using the computer that is not a great option (really wish the computer had two USB-c ports 🙂) . I'm using an ancient Dell S2409W monitor and don't have other monitors with which to try the hub/computer. This is definitely frustrating.

Hi everyone,

Upon receiving my Macbook back from the genius bar, they had accidentally broken the trackpad. I was given a new 2016 12" Macbook.

This Macbook has the exact same flickering issue and the exact same work around as my previous one.

Does anyone have any advice what the next step should be here? I've tried Apple support, and the Genius bar and both haven't been able to fix the problem.

If we all send an email to tim lol

I have the same problem with my MacBook 2016 on macOS Sierra. I called Apple but they don't seem to understand the problem. It's getting really frustrating...

I exchanged my Macbook 2016 in for a Macbook Pro. I've had two different 2016s that both had the SAME problem. Apple doesn't know what to do with the problem.

I'm back to using a Pro, not a single problem all day so far.

I bought my MacBook 1 month ago, can I still exchange it for a pro?

That's a good question. I had bought mine three months ago when I returned it for an exchange. I used a pro all day and the difference is unbelievable. Not a single flicker all day long, I never have to worry about strange finicky connection issues.

The only draw back to getting a Pro right now is they're still on the early 2015 model so you're buying technology that is already about a 1000 days old.

I went through multiple MacBooks and advisors before they finally exchanged me for a Pro... so I think it really depends how long you've been dealing with the issue. I had multiple videos of the problem and the work around to show them that I wasn't making anything up.

Still the flicker here, driving me nuts!!!

...would swap for a pro but I'm not dropping extra £££ on old tech like others have said. Such a shame, perfect laptop for me otherwise :-(

I didn't have to drop any extra dollars on the switch. I just explained to them that their model did not work for what I needed it to do and they understood.

The MacBook pro technology may not be as new as the Macbook but at least it actually works.

So, I've been dealing with this for a while now and it's driving me as crazy as everyone else. I have tried everything, including rebooting and resetting the SMC. Nothing made a difference. Then I pretended it was a cartridge gaming system, and blew into the USB-C port... et voila. After a week of good performance, I had noticed that it was much worse after a recent trip I took, when my MacBook was not connected and the port was open to lint and dust. The mad flickering is gone and has been for hours. Based on the last few weeks of troubleshooting, I think it really does have to do with getting a solid connection via the port. I am using a TNP multiport adapter with lan, hdmi and pass-through usb-c. Will update if this solution stops working for me, but keeping the port free of lint/dust seems to do the trick.

I am running into exactly the same Issue with an early 2016 MacBook 12" running Sierra.

HDMI flickers sporadically as if it would loose HDMI sync. USB devices attached to the external adapter continue to work. I've tried several adapters, including the Apple one, they all show the same issue. I've also tried moving DECT phones, base stations etc. away from the adapter - didn't help.

@SBTarheel Well there's a novel potential cause!

I tried blowing into mine this morning and everything went utterly crazy (like both displays glitching all over the show). It's clearly pretty sensitive. I shall invest in a can of nice clean compressed air and see if that makes any odds.

Meanwhile I've been continuing to find the problem occurring quite a bit less often (or at least less consistently) as I've been going through the Sierra betas. Then again I've been off work and not carting my laptop back and forth for the last fortnight. Right now though it is doing the old flicker after 4 hours uptime. I got 6 days out of it last week somehow.

As @sherazarde points out, the regular USB devices are unaffected during flickers.

mr.olof wrote:

If you mean Security Update 2016-001 i would say its a false possitive.

Since you need to reboot it probably seem to be ok since that make the issue go away for awhile.

This update only updated kernel-stuff and safari. It got the same issue as the iPhone did a week ago.

About the security content of Security Update 2016-001 El Capitan and Security Update 2016-005 Yosemite - Apple Support

So does it mean it does not work at all?