Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

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.

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.