Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

I have both MacBook 2015 and MacBook 2016,


and I've purchased the original Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.


I've loaded both MacBooks with genuine copies of Windows 10 Pro with bootcamp, partition cut into half between Mac OS and Windows 10.


The new MacBook 2016, while doing screen cloning using the Multiport Adapter under Windows 10,


the output always flickers, and the pattern is always consistent:


1.) Waking up from sleep, always flickers once;

2.) And then will at least flickers 2-3 times more;


It doesn't happen with the MacBook 2015,


is this is hardware design flaw of the new MacBook 2016?? Or is it a software (driver) issue?


All drivers are being updated to the latest.

MacBook, Windows 10

Posted on Jul 17, 2016 9:32 PM

Reply
394 replies

Oct 30, 2016 4:23 PM in response to j_y_m

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.

Oct 30, 2016 4:43 PM in response to j_y_m

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 😟

Oct 30, 2016 5:02 PM in response to Schendstok

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.

Oct 30, 2016 5:11 PM in response to Developer349

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.

Nov 2, 2016 8:16 AM in response to Mayank.D

Hey Mayank


I have the LG 27UD88-W monitor which also connects over USB-C.


Things have improved since installing the macOS 10.12.1 update (I no longer get flickering or the displaying reverting to 30 Hz refresh rate), however I still get:

1) 'No signal' message on the monitor when connecting the MacBook (even though the MacBook is receiving power from the monitor over the USB-C connection)

2) Crashes / kernel panics when connecting the monitor (which cause the MacBook display to go black and require holding down the power button to restart)


I get this about twice a day at the moment. Restarting the MacBook gets things working again (as seems to be the case with the HDMI issues reported here).


I am pleased Apple are reaching out trying to solve this issue, but fundamentally it does not sit right with me that the largest and most valuable computer/tech company in the world is no longer producing its own external displays. The whole reason I buy Apple products is the 'it just works' philosophy. In this case they are forcing users to purchase third party products (not to mention numerous adaptors and docks) and endure these kinds of problems.


Even if my LG 27UD88-W+Macbook set up correctly worked properly it would still not achieve the main features of the five year old Thunderbolt Display such as:

- Integrated speakers

- Integrated FaceTime camera

- Powered USB ports

- Ethernet connection

- Proper integration with macOS, allowing brightness and other settings to be controlled via the OS


Connecting an external monitor is not a niche use case. There are millions of Mac users that work with external displays: Apple needs to fix this.

Nov 2, 2016 3:00 PM in response to kenofstephen

Just wanted to report that my 2016 MacBook exhibits the same behaviour when attempting to connect to a BenQ GW2765HT LED IPS 27 inch Widescreen Multimedia Monitor via a HooToo Shuttle 3.1 Type C USB Hub. The display is 1440p and it flickers, slides in-and-out and sporadically blacks-out completely.

After turning the MacBook off and on again, with the HDMI cable connected, the issue seems to disappear.

Gutted!

Obviously, I'm hoping this can be fixed via a software update.

P.S. I looked at buying a Dell XPS 13, but opted for the MacBook. The XPS is looking pretty good right now, doh.

Nov 2, 2016 4:23 PM in response to kenofstephen

Just to input I've suffered similarly. I've now effectively had 3 2016 MacBooks all with the same flicker issue:


1. Original purchase developed a keyboard fault

2. Apple fix of keyboard fault resulted in main board failure and replacement

3. Reported the flickering issue and was given a brand new MacBook


Admittedly the number 2. machine likely did have the same USB-C port assembly as number 1. Either way all of them are unusable on an external monitor with random flickers and slide ins and outs.


I've tried the following adapters:


- Apple AV multi adapter

- HooToo

- VTIN


All the same problem. With regards to monitors that I've tried:


- 1080p Dell

- 1080p Samsung

- 1080p Iiyama

- 1440p Dell


Can provide model numbers if necessary. I've tried various HDMI cables, as well as HDMI to DVI. All the same problem.


I've now basically given up using an external monitor which is not the answer my neck is looking for long term.


I've not tried going back to Apple Support on this yet but will try to this side of Xmas.


FYI reboots and SMC resets sometimes seem to help but give it long enough and at some point it (the video signal) will flicker off and I'll lose patience again.


I kinda love and kinda hate my MacBook. So much to love but this USB-C video implementation is clearly brutally flawed.

Nov 2, 2016 5:35 PM in response to harry.jones

I also am having the no signal issue, which requires turning my monitor on and off until it's recognized. Once it's recognized, I get screen black outs that occur while connected to an external monitor. Just prior to the screen blacking out I've noticed the mouse cursor becomes erratic and the system slows down like it's running a lot of cycles the the background.


If I detach the computer from the monitor without sleeping the machine, it often crashes and becomes non responsive. Also I have a 50-50 chance of crash on wake if the machine is connected to the monitor.


This all makes me think my issue is software/firmware related, hopefully, but who knows.


I'm curious to see if this problem amplifies with the new MacBook Pros.

Nov 3, 2016 3:10 AM in response to harry.jones

Completely agree with this set of comments, and I have exactly the same issues with my 2016 MacBook and USB-C LG monitor


I can understand Apple stepping out of the monitor game, however disappointing that might be for pro users. Speculating, but it may be that that they have concluded that modern third party monitors (made by people like LG) are good / full-featured / well-designed enough that Apple would not be able to make one that much better. They would have to end up charging twice as much for the same functionality and slightly better design, so the proposition doesn't make sense.


However - they have taken the decision to go all in on USB-C as the output on all their latest and future laptops. Before doing this, they should have ensured that the technology was capable of properly running third party external monitors.


Now we're left in an extremely annoying position - invest early in Apple's latest laptop, but have no Apple monitor to pair with it, and flaky connection to all third party USB-C monitors.


I assume this will be fixed in a future software update, but it really should've been ready to go out of the box when they launched the first version of the new MacBook.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.