Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

Agreed. Blow on them all you want, you'll just be introducing moisture in to the ports that may cause other interesting issues. This is some sort of firmware/software issue.

Well I've fired up my old Windows desktop machine and upgraded it to Windows 10. The rMB is just too annoying to use as my desktop at the moment. And even with the HDMI unplugged from my OWC dock just leaving USB HDD, ethernet and charging attached, it's sat there pinging like a moron like it keeps finding new hardware to talk to. I just don't think USB-C support is ready and shame on Apple for releasing something half-baked .. I don't want a MBP, I would just like a rMB that does what it should.

Hi have exactly this same problem since day 1.

Bought Apple HDMI adapter, OWC dock and now have a Acer 27' display with USB-C connection. All with the same symptoms, so I'm another one who can testify that its not a problem of any peripheral connected to the mac, but a hardware or software problem from the macbook itself...

Only rebooting solves the problem and then, only until the first sleep or usb-c disconnection.

MacOS Sierra didn't change anything.

A clear and serious bug that Apple needs to solve!!!

How do we raise Apple attention to this matter?

So, while I thought for a little while that blowing in the connection and clearing out worked, I was wrong. BUT I switched to a new adapter of three that I have, and found the problem is MUCH diminished. The TNP adapter I was using died, the LAN port stopped working. So now I am using another off-brand from a company called Juiced, I can't recommend it, think its luck of the draw really, and maybe another copy of the TNP would be good... YMMV i.e., but its working for me.

I wonder if we are all discussing similar problems with more than one root cause. Heres why I say that:

1) Rebooting has NO impact on my screen sheering/flicker, comes back immediately on restart

2) My screen sheers unusably with 1 adapter, was workable with the TNP, and is much improved with the latest adapter I am using

3) I found with the TNP adapter that if I flipped the usb male side around, I got much better performance. While USB C should be non-directional, in practice, this wasn't the case for me and inserting the adapter one way up was better than the other significantly, reliably and noticeably.

4) If my screen starts to sheer, shake or flicker, I find that if I flip the male plug around I can usually stop it. Reconnecting once or twice fixes the issue.

For these reasons, I am pretty sure that MY screen flicker is not a firmware/software glitch but is hardware related. Since different adapters perform better or worse, and all are off brand, I suspect that it is poor/weak contacts in the adapter's male usb c plug. It is possible I suppose that there is a hardware problem with the computer, but less likely to me. I have not tried an Apple brand adapter. Regardless, I very strongly suspect that in my case the problem is having a stable, solid connection with sufficient contact for the high amount of data + charge going over it... I also suspect that since rebooting fixes it for some people, we may be talking about the same symptoms but different causes.

See my latest reply, I am beginning to think there is more than one root cause for the symptoms we are describing. Rebooting has NO impact on my external screen issues which sound identical to yours, while changes to the connection do...

I would try the Apple adaptor. Your problem sounds different than the one I was having. The problem I was having was definitely remedied by a reboot. The Apple Adaptor had no effect on it.

Update with my Macbook Pro: I definitely miss the Macbook 2016 and its discreteness. I even miss the keyboard. However, I haven't a single issue with my Macbook Pro outputting display. I am using the exact same set up (same display and HDMI cord) as before with the Macbook 2016 and there has not been a single flickering issue.

I suspect there is some sort of problem with the USB-C port on the Macbook 2016. I have talked to so many apple advisors about the problem and no one even seems to think it's a problem.

It has definitely shaken my faith in Apple. We pay premium prices for reliability and durability for apple products. Something as basic as video output to a second screen should not be causing so much head aches.

Just my two cents.

I don't know how to raise their attention to this matter. When I gave them my device they told me that they couldn't reproduce the problem. I believe that they use displays and hdmi cords that work with the devices consistently.

There must be a way that we can shake Apple on this matter!

We ALL have this flaw in the 2016 MacBooks if we use an external monitor connected to our machines... We may have other situations, but this one is clear.ly affecting all of us, and the silent users regarding this problem I guess are the ones that just have to use the macbook with an external monitor...

I really can't understand how apple cannot replicate this problem.... All they have to do is connect the macbook to ANY HDMI or hub and the problem will be show for sure!

And regarding debugging, to me this looks like a problem on the video memory usage. The problem happens more under intense load of the macbook and particular under video or image intense tasks... but throughout the day the flickering diminishes in quantity, being more intense on the first working hours of the day.

Any restart will solve it until the next sleep or usb.c disconnection...

Anyway, I think we have to keep pressing Apple for a solution... Do any of you guys have any idea on how to do it apart from complaining on these forums, that Apple seems to ignore?

Same issue. Using the multiport AV adapter on a 2016 MacBook, connected via HDMI to a Dell 27" screen, it cuts out for a few seconds then the signal returns. Doesn't seem like it's connected to anything but random events, the frequency of the loss of signal changes randomly as well.

Can't see anything useful in the system logs.

My guess is something is up with power output of the USB-C port; as sleeping the computer seems to cause more flickering.

I have this issue with my recently purchased 2016 custom ordered MacBook m7, 8GB RAM, and running the latest macOS Sierra (10.12).

I have tried the Apple adapter and the Satachi one as well. I have tried HDMI and HDMI 2.0 cables. I have tried multiple power supplies (both Apple made), and different USB-C cables (one by apple and one by a 3rd party). I have tried a couple different monitors (both Dell). The only remaining constant is the laptop.

I've been an advocate for apple over the last 7 to 8 years. Brought it into the corporate world and have had 3 employers incorporate it into their infrastructure. I've never been more disappointed as I am in this purchase. The laptops have been a steady and reliable source for me over the years. I can't go 3 hours without it doing this flickering.

The solutions labeled in this thread work, full reboot will save it from this problem until the next sleep. There needs to be a solution. I have the Apple Care on this computer. When the anticipated MacBook Pro's come out, I am making an appointment to fix my laptop and if they can't, I'll get them to trade me up for one of the new machines. However, I am not convinced that the problem won't be on that one as well.

Agreed with the group, this problem needs to be addressed. I love the MacBook otherwise, great size for what I need. This is a critical issue that needs to be escalated.

That's exactly my case: brought apple into my firm, been using apple products for years and now have this stupid problem...

And I came from a Macbook Air 2012 11' with a i7 processor that worked just fine until it fell on the floor... connected to my old thunderbolt monitor it was the perfect setup, that lasted all these years with no problems...

And now, moving to this Macbook 2016 and having to buy a new monitor because of the stupid move from Apple of dropping the thunderbolt slot on the Macbook (or making the usb-c compatible with thunderbolt), I'm feeling cheated by apple when faced with this flickering problem that just nobody seems to care, and I don't know where to complain and get some results (obviously calling some call center and asking for help on an apple retail store is useless)...

They are a selling a product - the macbook - that is simple unusable in the corporate world, where you obviously need to connect it to other items to have more usb ports, ethernet, display, etc...

What a shame to see such a wonderful macbook lost in the middle of this...

For the first time in many many years, I started to look at windows alternatives, and to my surprise found some serious alternatives: gorgeous machines, with similar specs as macs, touchscreen displays...

I may be on the move to windows world soon because of this: I can't simple keep on using this macbook with my monitor flickering all the time like it is as I'm writing this...

I honestly tried to escalate the problem as far as I could. I was talking with a senior advisor and I directed him to this thread. He told me he couldn't do anything until I brought it into the Genius Bar, which just resulted in the Genius Bar breaking my MacBook when they were trying to repair it.

It doesn't help that everyone on this thread is on a different page. Some people are describing problems that are solved by "blowing into the port" and some are describing problems that only happen on Windows.

I think if this issue is to be escalated parameters have to be defined on what would constitute having the same problem and not just similar symptoms.

Has anybody considered elevating this by reaching out to one of the tech blogs and seeing if they'll cover the issue, seems like something they might. Something along the lines of Mac users reporting display problems with newest MacBook. Perhaps Gizmodo, life hacker, MacWorld or etc.

That's a good idea. Maybe we can try to send them a DM on twitter?