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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

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Sep 21, 2016 8:59 AM in response to Knapping

Yes done via online driver update. It doesn't help though.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Sep 21, 2016 9:03 AM in response to reality_check89

This is a really bad news, I think I have to go to genius bar to demonstrate this issue in front of them...

Sep 21, 2016 9:14 AM in response to kenofstephen

Is anyone still experiencing this issue under the public release of Sierra?

I upgraded this morning and have been using my 2016 MacBook for the last eight hours without a single case of flickering or the screen blacking out.

This is compared to almost constant flickering under El Capitan.

I'm using my previously mentioned LG 27UD88-W connected via the USB-C port. It is also now running at 60 hz instead of 30 hz under El Capitan.

Sep 21, 2016 9:24 AM in response to harry.jones

The problem seems to be unaffected by the macOS Sierra upgrade. Used Sierra all through the public beta process, and yesterday, did a clean install with the release version. Seems to have no effect on the issue - yesterday, after rebooting my MacBook, no problems. After letting the MacBook sleep overnight, I'm getting the flicker again today.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Sep 22, 2016 2:43 AM in response to harry.jones

Mine doesn't flicker in Mac OS, only flickers in bootcamp Windows after waking up from sleep.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Sep 22, 2016 6:31 AM in response to kenofstephen

I've scheduled a call with Apple support team tomorrow morning.

Will try my bests to describe this issue to them.

Sep 22, 2016 1:37 PM in response to kenofstephen

Running the latest developer beta, specifically 10.12.1 build 16B2327e, appears, based on a day of normal usage with plenty of plugging and unplugging and sleeping and two different external displays, one with the apple dongle, the other with an Anker one.... not to be exhibiting the problem.

I'll give it a couple of days to be sure, but this feels like hope.

Sep 22, 2016 7:37 PM in response to Sam Easterby-Smith

Please keep us posted!

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Sep 22, 2016 11:10 PM in response to Sam Easterby-Smith

I have no issue with Mac OS.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Sep 22, 2016 11:12 PM in response to marinerblue

I'm bringing my Macbook 2016 to meet the genius on Sunday to show them the problem.

Sep 23, 2016 12:07 PM in response to kenofstephen

Adding to the thread... exact same issue here. MacBook 2016 with Apple USB-C media adapter hub, using HDMI to a Dell P2414H. If machine is asleep and then plugged in to USB-C media hub/external monitor, the monitor will go black and come back on again randomly. A reboot fixes it, until waking it up again.

Running the latest Mac OS (Sierra).

Sep 23, 2016 2:23 PM in response to kenofstephen

Day two with the 10.12.1 beta and the problem hasn't recurred. No flickering, no reboots, plenty of disconnects and sleeps and reconnects.

On one occasion I had a brief period, after plugging in to my display, of the entire screen turning green with some glitching at the top. It healed itself after about 15 seconds. That I can live with.

Hopefully that's it done and they'll roll it out in the next Sierra update.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Sep 25, 2016 9:14 PM in response to kenofstephen

I went to Apple Store yesterday:

1.) Genius did a hardware diagnostics check, no problem found, all green ticks;

2.) Using their digital Multiport adapter + their LG monitor + their HDMI cable, they managed to see the flickering problem after waking up bootcamp Windows 10 from sleep;

3.) They cleared the cache files, not helping;

4.) They took a video of the problem and escalated to the engineering team.

kenofstephen Author

Level 1

71 points

Sep 25, 2016 9:15 PM in response to WickedPorter

I have no issue with Mac OS El Capitan or Sierra.

Sep 28, 2016 2:11 AM in response to kenofstephen

10.12.1 update: Sadly it's not completely gone. I got 4 days of glorious uptime initially but then the flickering started again.

Macbook 2016 HDMI output flickering