Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

Hi all,

I've been monitoring the thread as I also have this very frustrating issue. I finally decided to call into Apple Support and while they were very friendly, they informed me that the ticket number listed in this thread is not being actively worked (I think they said the last update was 9/24). So, I don't believe this has Apple Corp visibility and they gave me some things to try to no avail.

BTW - I did update to 10.12.1 and the issue remains.

Some issue with MacBook Retina 12" Early 2015 on El Captain and macos Sierra with original apple multiport VGA Adapter. Disconnect Adapter for some minutes and reconnect ist solves the flickering most of the times.

I don't understand what's going on at Apple. Are they not using their own hardware or do they all work on the 12 inch internal display only? How can you not detect and fix such an important bug? I consider connecting an external display an important basic function of the product. The only explanation would be that not all machines are affected but I didn't see any sign for this so far.

Anyhow, I think (and hope) they are finally looking into this now.

I am running Sierra 10.12.1 and the problem persists. I am using a Samsung SE790C HDMI monitor.

Regularly rebooting my MacBook became part of my life in the last four month :-(

They are looking into it, I finished a call with a person from their helpdesk yesterday, submitted a video and some system logs to them. So they are aware of there being an issue and are working on resolving it.

I sent log + video. Glad they are taking this more seriously now. They didn't seem too interested in any of the log files I sent previously in response to my original ticket. Maybe pointing to them going down a different avenue of diagnosis.

-ambanmba

I was on a conf call with applecare yesterday as previously agreed with them.

They took some logs out of my macbook and the assistant that spoke with me mentioned that the flickering problem is a high priority matter that they have now.

She told that I can expect some news in short notice and that most probably the next release of the Sierra MacOS will have this matter solved and so if she didn't contact me anymore, all I had to do would be to upgrade the MacOS as soon as Sierra gets another update.

So, let's see!

On last thing: we are excellent in complaining but must also try to compensate in compliments: Apple could have been quicker in sorting out this problem (which I was told was not easy because the Macbook 2016 is relatively new and some users on the forum report all sorts of problems on the same thread, making the diagnostic more difficult), but being in Europe and see a huge company like Apple call me and actually have real people trying to solve a client's matter is a reason why we love Apple products and we buy them. I'm not sure we would get this level of customer service from another brand in todays IT world...

Fully agree, Apple support is really good and that's also why I buy Apple!

I am just wondering if this problem exists with all machines or if it is just us. If it is a general problem, then it is strange to me that they did not realise it themselves. I mean, if you test the MacBook with an external screen you will come across this immediately. E.g. I saw the issue after using it for less than one day.

Asking around for logs etc. seems like they can't just reproduce the problem themselves, right?

Anyhow, really glad to hear they work on it. Thanks Apple support team!

Just had my call with Apple Support .. laptop misbehaved almost instantly which was handy. Also impressed by the response but I find it hard to believe this didn't happen during testing and was perhaps conveniently ignored (FIWFIL). On the plus side I've quite enjoyed Windows for the past week or so :-)

Amazing response and support from Apple around this issue.

They have won themselves a fan back after dealing with an incredibly frustrating go of issues.

Thank you, Apple.

I have a 2016 macbook and continue to suffer from this problem. I've tried the apple adapter as well as one from caldigit. I've updated all of my software. If I reset my P-Ram the issue goes away but then it will come back the next day. I've also tried two different dell monitors and a few different cables. Nothing has worked so far and it's really frustrating. Like someone else in this thread, I've been using apple laptops since the Powerbook 140 and have never had issues with an external display. This is un-acceptable. I haven't contacted support in a while. The last time I did they just told me to reset my p-ram.