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kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

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

394 replies

Dec 15, 2016 8:54 AM in response to kenofstephen

Been using the 12.2 betas, and now the release - the intermittent flickering problem seems to have been resolved. I was encountering it when using the 12" Retina MacBook with an external monitor on both HDMI (with Apple HDMI adapter) and DisplayPort (using a CalDigit USB-C Dock). Since the second 12.2 beta, this problem seems to have gone away.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Dec 17, 2016 2:31 AM in response to marinerblue

I'm always OK with Mac OS, just wondering when they will fix the bootcamp Windows of this same issue...

Dec 19, 2016 4:09 AM in response to kenofstephen

As others have experienced, with 10.12.2 since beta 3 it seemed to be fixed. Occasionally would get a fraction of a second of digital snow but none of the black-outs.

However a variant on the problem seems to have come back from the dead in the 10.12.3 beta (16D12b) - just had a bunch of black-outs followed by more snow. Re-plugging the USB-C cable seems to have stopped it for now. Hopefully was just a passing glitch, but shall keep an eye on this.

Dec 19, 2016 11:22 PM in response to kenofstephen

I have this problem as well. I use a j5create port hub with hdmi port and screen flickers every minute or so, swipes left or going blank for about 2 seconds and screen reappears.

Dec 26, 2016 5:52 PM in response to Scott98981

Providing some follow up: I haven't had any screen black outs since updating to 10.12.2 while in macOS. I'm still getting regular black outs while in bootcamp. I recently updated my bootcamp drivers, so I'm not thinking that Apple has propagated whatever fix they did in 10.12.2 to the bootcamp side. I'm still getting crashes while trying to wake while attached to a monitor, but maybe seeing less overall since the new update.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Dec 27, 2016 2:13 AM in response to kenofstephen

5 months, my problem is still unsolved...

- very disappointed.

I'm going to return it at the last week of my warranty period,

as my reward to Apple's great service.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Dec 27, 2016 2:17 AM in response to Scott98981

bootcamp issue is NOT fixed.

The "better"/"less worse" driver is this;

Driver Date: 7/10/2016

Driver Version: 21.20.16.4534

I tried everything including the latest beta driver released by Intel (02/12/2016),

nothing is better than that.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Dec 27, 2016 6:50 AM in response to kenofstephen

Fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice, shame on me.

jase7

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2017 1:02 AM in response to jase7

Interestingly it doesn't seem to occur when the MBP is running off battery power. When I plug the power cable back in the issue reoccurs...

crashd

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2017 1:49 AM in response to kenofstephen

I've had a similar problem on macOS and Windows 10 via Bootcamp - using both external computer monitors, consumer TVs and an Oculus Rift. Be great to hear if Apple get back to you.