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.

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've been through a parade of multiport AV adapters and the Apple version is the only one that works even sort-of reliably...and even that one, every time I unplug the MacBook I have to use a Giottos rocket blower to blow the air out of the port to get the monitor to work without flickering occasionally. Any lesser adapters (MonoPrice, Anker, etc.) the screen just blanks out constantly and is essentially unusable. <sigh>

I have similar flickering problem on my 2016 MacBook using OS X.

So the original 2015 version doesn't have that? That is insanely annoying...

When I use "Mirror Displays mode" it happens a lot less, don't know why. I just hope it is a driver bug and that Apple can/will fix it

External monitor flickering Macbook 2016

Please let us know if exchanging the Macbook helped or if this is a generic problem with the 2016 model. Thanks!