Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

All,

Please try updating to 10.12.1.

Like all of you I have experienced this issue continually with the 2016 12-inch MacBook. I gave up and stopped trying to connect to my external monitor.

But, like zorz, I have not seen this problem after updating to Mac OS Sierra 10.12.1.

Hi there,

Bought my Macbook 12 in May 2016 and had the issue since day 1.

Have been making my "sorry-face" in front of customers when presentation would flicker on the projector or TV screen..

Based on the different situation I have been experiencing, I believe the issue was related to the Intel graphic driver.

- Users using the same hardware didn't encounter the issue with Windows 10 drivers.

- I had the issue 100% of time after waking from suspend.

- I had the issue after a certain time after a reboot.

- The issue is even true when booting in "Installation Mode" (CMD-R at boot time), so it's clearly not related to some specific third party software or what.

I have been using a super cheap USB-C to HDMI adapter with no issue for 2 hours now on 10.12.1.

At last, Apple seems to have updated that driver in 10.12.1.

Looks like we are "getting out of the tunnel" :-)

Hope we get more positive feedbacks!

Cheers,

I updated to macOS Sierra 10.12.1 and I'm still having the problem.

Yea, at first I thought updating to 10.12.1 had helped, but the flickering eventually came back. Also removing all startup items seemed to help, but that didn't last either. If I run the laptop without the monitor for a while then plug it back it, the issue always occurs. These experiences and the fact that rebooting resets it make me think it's some sort of resource utilization / allocation issue. This doesn't mean it's not hardware--it will be interesting to see if they are able to solve it with an update or not.

I had 2nd level AppleCare support but the guy has stopped responding to my emails and voicemails which is frustrating. I did also get contacted separately to submit my diagnostic files but I was specifically told that wasn't the same as support and I shouldn't expect a reply.

Some updates for me:

On OS X 10.11 El Capitan I used to be able to get my Dell Ultrasharp 3008 WFP working in a (mostly) stable way in 2560x1600 by restarting the MacBook each time I connect with either of these two solutions:

- LogiLink USB-C to DisplayPort adapter (UA0246 sadly has no USB ports and no charging)

- Apple USB-C to HDMI adapter + Delock HDMI to DisplayPort adapter (62667).

Sadly the flickering happens when re-connecting, sleep/wake, monitor input switching etc.

On macOS Sierra 10.12.1 the problem is different...

- LogiLink USB-C to Displayport adapter: perfectly stable at 2560x1600, no more problems when connecting this way.

But because it does not have a USB port or a charging option, this is not the solution I would like to use.

- Apple adapter + Delock adapter: Constant flickering, no matter if I reboot. Also the resolutions detected no longer include the native 2560x1600 resolution and so cannot be selected, only a maximum of 1920x1080 (and for some bizarre reason macOS thinks 1600x1200 would be a the best for this monitor using this adapter). very annoying.

Very annoying that the 2560x1600 has disappeared in this way since the upgrade from El Capitan to Sierra.

I also tried an even more convoluted way to connect my monitor:

- Apple adapter + Delock adapter + Dell KDP70 DisplayPort to DualLink DVI adapter.

To my surprise this works perfectly stable, but only allows output to a maximum of 1920x1200. But all these adapters should support up to 2560x1600, so this isn't a perfect solution either. I didn't try this when I had OS X 10.11 installed, so can't say if it did work on El Capitan.

I tried to make a EDID override file (based on the settings used when the LogiLink is used) in order for this setup to enable 2560x1600, but that didn't work (no change: resolution doesn't show). So I still don't know if this setup could be used as a workaround (the adapters most likely switch to a pass-through mode instead of a conversion in lower resolutions that do not require dual-link DVI).

For your information: the HDMI connection on this old Dell doesn't allow resolution over 1920x1200 and has a very nasty scaling and overscan problem that cannot be changed in the monitor-menu. As a result the HDMI port on the Dell is unusable. (not just for the MacBook, but in general)

But Saturday I was called by a very friendly person from Apple and send in logs of the flickering problem with my setup (Apple adapter > Delock > Dell monitor). Hope they can fix the problem soon.

But since the LogiLink USB-C to DisplayPort adapter does seem to work, I'm thinking of buying an adapter with DisplayPort and USB ports and power.

I only found one such device from JuicedSystems:

http://www.juicedsystems.com/USB-C-Macbook-12-Multifunctional-Display-Adapter_p_ 38.html

Does anybody here have any experience with this one? A lot of online reviews are very negative (doesn't work, DOA, overheating etc.). Also the hub only has USB 2.0 ports, so even if it works, not an ideal solution either....

Hi,

I own the juicedsystem 5-in-1 adapter and it as the same flickering issue. The mini-display port is also not a good solution: you have to keep an adapter mini-display port to HDMI with you.

After many tries, the only adapter which works for me is the 'kadi port'. The only problem I have with it is a 'sliding' of the desktop (on external display), sometimes.

The Juiced looks intriguing. I have the same problem with my older 30" Dell monitor as Schendstok. Both that Dell and my new Samsung curved wide screen monitors have Displayport inputs. I wonder if that would solve both issues (low HDMI resolution on the Dell, and flickering on the Samsung).

And yes, I really think it's unforgivable that Apple doesn't offer a Mini-Displayport or Thunderbolt multiport adapter of their own.

Thanks for the reply. Interesting that the USB-C to displayport adapter from Juiced has the same flickering problem for you and the adapter that works is the kadi-port USB-C to HDMI one.

Did you try all those with Sierra 10.12.1 ? for me a lot changed after the upgrade: my USB-C to DisplayPort cable connected to my Dell now works fine.

I would have thought that if a USB-C to HDMI adapter would work, then it would be the Apple one.

I'm not going to try a different USB-C to HDMI adapter as I also have the resolution problem when using those solutions since the upgrade to Sierra.

There is a another HDMI to DisplayPort adapter from StarTech, but it uses the same chipset as the Delock adapter that I tried, so I don't think that would matter 😟

LogiLink also has a multiport adapter to HDMI.

http://www.logilink.org/USB-C_to_HDMI_Multiport_Adapter_UA0258.htm

The displayport adapter I got from them worked, maybe this one will also? (same chipset maybe??)

Sadly according to their datasheet it only supports up to 1080p. But that doesn't say much. A lot of datasheets on the LogiLink site have errors or contradict themselves. They also do not provide information on the chipset used in their adapters.

Sadly, it came back after a week. I plugged it in today and the flicker had returned.

This really dismays me as I was able to switch between several different monitors once I had updated and did not have the issue - including one at work that constantly was a problem.

Oh well. Back to being patient and waiting for a solution.

After the last osx update my flickering problem went away.... for a few days and then came back although not nearly as bad as it used to be. I'm pretty convinced that just restarting helps the problem so I'm not sure if the latest osx even did anything. This problem continues to annoy me to no end.

I am facing the same blackouts with my Macbook 12. Its such annoying. No OS upgrade has helped me. I tried reaching out to the support too. Nothing working.

They asked me to take it to a service store along with the HDMI cable & AV adapter.

Did anyone try using the new LG monitor which apple introduced? Its connects with USB - C type.