Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

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?

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.

Update: Wasn't the solution... though it does seem for me to be an issue related to the getting a solid connection.

reality_check89 wrote:

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: I picked up a multiport adapter at the Apple Store today (thanks for the suggestion reality_check89). It's the only Apple brand solution Ive used for the new MacBook, and the difference in the stability of the display output is amazing. The issue is almost entirely gone, just a very very occasional (~1 event / hr) screen shake/shear. Before this, I was using any one of three off-brand adapters from TNP, Juiced, and another who I forget. I wish they worked, because $80 for a plastic dongle is absurd...

So the end result is that for me, the issue was hardware related and had more to do with the use of cheap adapters than anything else. I think that my issue has/d to do with the new standard (USBC) and ensuring good contacts on both sides for the connection and high amount of data. This solution may NOT be for everyone, as it sounds like some have different underlying problems and are already using the Apple Multiport Adapter and not 3rd party solutions. There may also be underlying issues with the female port on my MacBook that make it more difficult to get a good connection. I put my experience here because it is related and may help others troubleshoot and/or rule out problems.

My symptoms were screen blacking out and shearing right to left, jumping in use. I would get a stable display much of the time, but occasionally it was absolutely unusable. Rebooting had absolutely no effect for me, and the symptoms had no relationship to what programs I was running. The only remedy before switching to Apple Multiport Adapter was to try reconnecting and/or flipping the adapter, which would generally work for a while, but with uneven results. At this point, with the remedy of an $80 adapter, I consider it solved enough for my purposes.

Since some of us seem to be having different problems than others, I have made a video of the problem that I was experiencing before I was given this MacBook Pro.

I can tell you the following things:

With the same HDMI Cords, Adaptors and Displays I had the exact same problem with two different MacBook 2016s.

With this MacBook Pro and all the same equipment listed above, I have not had this problem once.

Here is an example of what the problem looks like:

https://youtu.be/xN8G1J1LzMw

Same exact issue for me with the official Apple adapter. Have not been able to solve. Very annoying.

I also tried the above set up with the official Apple adaptor like you and resulted in the same problem. I took it back.

Yes, same problem persisted, plus could not access full 4k display options. I'm using Dell P2415Q and I tried most of the remedies mentioned here, but to no lasting effect. Flickering stopped when I started using a SecuroMax HDMI 2.0 braided cable thru HooToo port expander. Problem now is that it doesn't always wake the monitor, but I can run resolutions over HDMI up to 3840 by 2160 with no flicker (I'm not running it that high, type is too small). Wake up problem is solved by cycling the power input to the HooToo.

I had a 2015 MacBook that Apple just replaced under warranty (for an unrelated issue). They gave me a new 2016 MacBook. I plugged it into my Apple-brand USB-C/HDMI/USB splitter, connected to my external screen that I have been connecting to for 1.5 years, and I started getting the flicker everyone else has been reporting - never had it with my 2015 unit. Not knowing others had the problem, I replaced the splitter with a spare that I carried - no change. I replaced the HDMI cable - no change. Called apple. They had me reset the SMC, which I thought solved the problem, until the next day. Now I realize the problem is when waking up from sleep. Resetting the SMC just fixed it because of the reboot.

Looking forward to hearing a solution!

Looks like we've hit the big leagues now with a mention on Apple Insider:

http://forums.appleinsider.com/discussion/196380

I've had a ticket open with Apple on this since July with tons of logs/screen shots/videos/commentary and it has been escalated several times to senior technical specialists. (AppleCare Case : 1184045304)

If any of you open new tickets with Apple on this, it might be good to also reference 1184045304 so you're not starting from scratch each time.

-ambanmba