Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering

I am fighting with flickering of external display issue last week. That's the time I've go new MacBook Pro 2016 with TouchBar (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports, 2,9 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3) and I've tried to connect it to external display, as this is the way I work with the notebook in my office and at home. I have the opportunity to try several displays with different screen sizes, resolutions and input connectors. On some displays there's flickering problem (display goes black and in picture flashes for very short time, can be recognized MacBook's desktop and goes black again, this is repeating on and on). Maybe two times I've got stable full picture of desktop for few seconds, but with corrupted colours, like some RGB-out problem.

So here's is my study:

TV Panasonic Viera TH-37PV7P, HD1080, HDMI to HDMI via SATECHI USB-C adapter - working,no problem

EIZO EV2736W, 2560x1440, LMP USB-C to DVI adapter - working, no problem

EIZO FORIS FX2431, 1920x1200, LMP USB-C to DVI adapter - working, no problem

HP w2207h, 1680x1050, HDMI to HDMI via SATECHI USB-C adapter, LMP USB-C to DVI adapter - flickering both

LG Flatron L2000CE, 1400x1050, LMP USB-C to DVI adapter - flickering

This seems to be interesting issue, because - if it was adapter or firmware problem, it should be problem on all devices, if it was USB-C connector on MacBook - it's the same, it shouldn't work on my old TV or EIZO monitors (FORIS is also pretty old too, the other is last year's).

Before new MacBook Pro I was using MacBook Air 2015 and none of these problems were issued.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) USB-C with Kogan multi-port adapter -> DELL monitor.

I've isolated a consistent pattern with scripts running on certain sites that will cause the external monitor to flicker and occasionally black out altogether.

To reproduce the effect, I load this page: https://secure.rms.nsw.gov.au/contact-us/ as soon as the (node.js?) form loads, the screen goes berserk. Moving to another tab without the script, or relocating the browser to the main screen of the laptop, stops the flickering.

I was trying to solve my problem, which is pretty annoying. I've found partial solution, but it still makes me mad.

I connected my home HP w2207h display, 1680x1050, HDMI to HDMI via brand new Hyper Drive USB-C hub. The display started flicker immediatelly. I used MIRROR setting under SYSTEM SETTINGS -> DISPLAYS (so I can change the settings for HP display). Then I've selected Scaled option (instead of Best for display option) for HP w2207 with OPTION key pressed. It revealed lots of display resolutions.

I was trying every one of them and found out, that on 480p and 720p settings the display staeted to work normally. The resolution is too low for this display, can't be used for normal work, but the flickering is gone, picture is clear and stable. It really seems to be driver issue. So don't waste your money buying couples of cables and adapters, it will do nothing. I think we have to wait for Apple to fix it...

It's embarrassing to see Tim Cook talking about accessibility when Apple engineers can't even get basic connectivity of HDMI monitors to work. It must be even more frustrating to users with limited mobility. Why hasn't this been fixed or the hardware replaced yet?

This is what I have to do each time I start up or wake from sleep.

Disconnect both HDMI dongles.

Open 2016 MacBook Pro.

Power up and log in.

Connect the Dongle with HDMI monitor (and power) connected.

- The first HDMI monitor starts to work

- wait -

Connect the 2nd HDMI dongle without anything connected to it

- wait -

Plug in HDMI cable

- It will detect the 2nd HDMI monitor, at this stage I can plug in the USB to this same dongle.

All 3 monitors should now be working.

I close the laptop and use the 2 external monitors.

I have to repeat this process each time the computer wakes from sleep or is started/rebooted.

I just bought the newest MacBook Pro 13" with Touch Bar only two months ago and also bought the official Apple Thunderbolt-to-HDMI connector so that I could connect to an external display and have the same exact issue. The connector was $69.00 and the laptop itself was more than $1600.00 and the thing still flickers non-stop no matter what port or display I plug it into. Updates haven't helped. I've only had the connector for about a week now and suddenly this happens. The rep at Apple Support that I spoke to wasn't even aware of the problem and suggested that I exchange the connector for another one, but I'm not optimistic about that being a long-term solution. This is a very big ripoff, especially when you pay $69.00 for a connector that looks and feels so cheap, maybe worth $8.00. Very cheap product and no acknowledgement from Apple despite the number of complaints.

Same here. Brand new Mbp '17. Weird apple hasn't come out with a fix even for '16 yet. I might return mine and keep my coworkers from upgrading unless this is solved really soon. I have a 300$ windows tablet that can do hdmi out and thunderbolt without any issues and. For several times more money I expect at least the same capabilities of a dirt cheap windows tablet...

After reading much of this post and through my own experience with this issue, I'm really starting to believe this is, in fact, a feature that Apple has built in. 😉

For many years I've enjoyed (and promoted to others) the fact that the apple line of products just worked. Now, not so much.

I too have experienced issues from day one with my 2016 MBP connecting to external displays. I have 2 of their "official" adapters and continue to perform my ritualistic way of connecting to make things "work". I upgraded to High Sierra hoping that would solve the issues, but alas, was disappointed again. Other colleagues report having better luck with 3rd party HDMI adapters. Perhaps I'll try something different before I completely give up on Mac.

The real problem is the Apple USB-C Multiport adapter, it's junk. Do yourself a favor and get a: https://www.hypershop.com/collections/all/products/hyperdrive-usb-type-c-hub-wit h-4k-hdmi-support your troubles will be over.

Hello guys, i have a long problem with using bootcamp and windows 10 on macbook pro - i have a flickering like this

https://1drv.ms/v/s!ArD2ImFwJa-soPBpOt-0hoiG4V6J-A

(this is my macbook connected to external monitor - i tried various monitors and usb-c adapters and hdmi cables)

So... This problem persist only if i wake up from sleep only in external monitor via ubs-c hub - if restart macbook no problem

I used various builds of windows 10 - actually fall creators update

I used various display drivers from newest to the old one from apple bootcamp package (1.7.2016 - 20.19.15.4483 release - this is most stable but flickering persist sometimes)

I set all to maximum performance in intel settings and in power settings in windows 10

I have no problem in MacOS.

If I use standard windows display driver or safe mode - no problem - it must be a driver issue - and latest drivers makes a flickering much more than older drivers.

I tried various steps from internet - nothing helps, but i didnt find someone with exactly same problem.

This bug goes me crazy - it must be a solution...

Do you guys have problem in bootcamp or in macos too ? I have only in windows 10.

Its not picture it is a video... and i have a greyed icon of attach an video...

So i put a question in intel communities and they refer me back to apple

Intel forum

And apple in one thread answer that is MS issue and MS and Intel say that is Apple issue... very nice...

So there is a few groups of people.... Someone solve this by buy a new usb-c hdmi hub...new cable helps someone...someone has a issue only in bootcamp...someone in 2016 models not 2015 or 2017...and someone didnt solve problem...

I had the same problem with my 2016 MacBook. I also experienced sporadic disconnects of my external SSD drive. Not cool. It got worse. In the end I could not reliably charge the device. It boiled down to the USB-C connector being faulty and had it replaced on warranty. After that repair the HDMI Adapter worked without a problem.

1st, it wasn't a USB-C hub, it was a USB-C to USB-A and HDMI adapter. It solved my issues with the Apple Digital Multi-port Adapters inability to mount USB-3 external drives. I tried 2 Apple Digital Multi-Port adapters, neither of them would mount any of my USB-3 external drives. Both had their firmware updated to the latest.

I've used the HDMI connection of the HyperDrive 4k HDMI adapter with a 25' long cable on hotel room TVs with no issues of flickering or overheating. It's built better than the Apple adapter and it's $10 less.

All I'm saying is that this post contains a wide variety of issues that mostly appear to be related to the use of the Apple Digital Multi-port Adapter. Instead of trying to put the blame on your Macs or software, dump the Apple Adapter. Return it for a refund and try something else. It wouldn't have to necessarily be a HyperDrive unit, there are other products on the market that probably work just as well.

Or, you can spin hours on the phone with Apple, re-installing software, exchanging hardware, but IMHO, the Apple adapter is a hopeless piece of junk.

My Macbook 2017 returned today from assistance, they said using the Apple Cable worked normal, but what happens is that im using Hyper Drive and also already tested in OEM adapter and did not have lucky, I will not spend more $80 in that ****** cable.

Thats mega frustrating I need external monitor to work and my screen flicker every 5 seconds... Where is possible report this? This thread is so old, where is apple to solve this.

Thank you for posting about this issue. This post is just to add another voice to the same problem, which is beyond frustrating. Working on a 12" MacBook (early 2016, OS 10.12.6) connecting to a 28" ACER B286HK external monitor using the Apple USB-C digital AV multi-port adapter.

Its possible, sometimes, to get a connection and have the external monitor work as expected. Other times it seems to recognize (electronically) that something is attached to the port, but the monitor displays 'no signal'. Then, my favorite, is when the monitor flashes every few seconds, repeatedly. The flashing is frequent enough to induce seizures in people so prone. Display is not even active long enough to use the mouse to select something and potentially change a setting. Yes, sometimes rebooting will lead to stable activity on the external monitor. But really? This is how one "solves" problems in the Windows world, not Apple.

Will also add my voice to sentiments expressed in this thread .... have been a long time, ardent proponent of apple. This is the first computer that has not lived up to expectation. There have been other issues with it, not as relevant to this thread about driving the external monitor, so will not enumerate them here. Like others on the thread I hope to bring this set of concerns to the attention of the powers-that-be at Apple. Please pay attention. Please fix this. The alternative is working on the Windows platform; not an idea I embrace, but with problems like this its difficult to make the case for Apple and difficult to convince IT management, and others, at my University that Apple is the preferred platform.

Start with addressing the ability to drive an external monitor? I'll take it.

Thank you.

Is this issue really still ongoing ?!?!?

It precipitated my departure from Apple in general. I went from a MacBook, an iPad Pro and an iPhone 7 to a Dell XPS15, a Surface Pro 2017 and a Samsung S8. I figured if the user experience wasn't pretty seamless with the Apple kit I may as well have the same with other hardware and get some extra flexibility/value into the bargain. I'm very happy I switched and Windows/Android is not the 'hot mess' people would have you believe.

Apple aren't the company they once were and I cannot see it turning around with the general direction they're headed in.