Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

I had a call from Apple support this weekend.
The lady I spoke with mentioned that they have seen my posts here and that wanted to make some debugging on my macbook.

So, after all, they look at this forum, which is very good news regarding Apple support to its clients, and I was happily surprised!!!

I agreed a conference call next Wednesday with access to my machine and i'll give more news later on.

I truly recommend that the people with 2016 MacBooks that have flickering problems with external monitors (no matter what adapter or monitor) state precisely their condition here, so that Apple can try to troubleshoot our problem.

Kind regards to all.

Goncalo

My 2016 Retina MacBook loses sync with external monitors, causing the external display to go blank, then the picture returns. This occurs with external USB-C hubs and the Apple Multiport AV Adapter. It occurs with DisplayPort and HDMI connections. It's the same issue others here have been experiencing, and I'm glad the issue has become public. I have an existing case open with AppleCare regarding the issue, but they haven't followed up with doing any troubleshooting or research. I've experienced this issue since I purchased my MacBook.

Just to say I also had a call from Apple support this weekend. We had a nice chat and they had me send system diagnostics and a video of the problem. Very glad this is properly on their radar at last.

I have exactly the same problems you described with my Macbook 2016 m7. This occurs with the LG 27UD88-W monitor via USB-C cable (the LG original one and with the shorter one 3.1 from AUKEY too) or with other monitors or projectors via MINIX NEO C multiport adapter over VGA. I bought this Macbook mainly for university teaching and for professional presentations but unfortunately I am not able to do this as long as this problems exist... It is very annoying and disappointing and I really hope Apple will soon find a solution for this, otherwise I have to change the Macbook and go for another computer.

I too have this problem with a 2016 Macbook 12-inch. I have a Mokin USB-C to USB-C/HDMI/USB-A adapter, and the Macbook is connected to an Acer G257HU 2560 x 1440 display. I have upgraded to Sierra and am enrolled in the Beta program, currently running 10.12.1 Beta 5. After a cold boot, there are no issues, but after sleeping and waking, I get the same either "quick screen blank" for a few seconds, or the "screen swipe" effect that others have described. It does seem to take longer to get the problematic state using 10.12.1 Beta 5 than it did when I was running El Capitan, but I didn't actually measure anything to confirm that. Rebooting does make the problem go away temporarily. Last year I was using a 2015 Macbook 12-inch with the same adapter and monitor and never experienced this issue.

Hi Everyone,

I suggest updating to Mac OS Sierra 10.12.1 and trying it. I've been using the reboot trick every time I plug in my Acer H277HU monitor (it has a usb-c plug using Display Port) and it always did the blanking issue. Here's a video from the apple insider forum thread on the issue.

I've installed 10.12.1 and it has not come up again since. In fact, I just unplugged my computer from the monitor and plugged it in again, without the issue returning.

Give it a shot! I'm hoping the most recent update brings resolution for all of us.

Cheers

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.