Schendstok
Level 1 (24 points)
Notebooks

Q: External monitor flickering Macbook 2016

I have a Macbook 2016 and both an Apple USB-C to Multi AV-HDMI adapter and a LogiLink USB-C to DisplayPort adpater.

 

I'm trying to use a Dell 3008WFP monitor as an external screen (maximum resolution 2560x1600 @60Hz) with my MacBook, but that doesn't seem to work well.

 

The monitor often goes blank after a short time ("power-saving" mode) or only occasionally displays an image and then goes blank again. Using a LogiLink USB-C to Displayport is a bit more stable then the Apple adapter, but also often experiences the same problem.

 

On a smaller Samsung 1920x1080 monitor the Apple Multi AV adapter seems to work perfectly fine, but on the Dell it isn't stable (using HDMI at 1920x1200 resolution, as the Dell only supports higher resolutions over DVI or DisplayPort).

 

The adapter is updated to the latest 2.33 firmware. Is there a problem with my (just new) MacBook? Or is this a software issue? Is there  a work around? Anybody have a good experience with the MacBook at 2560x1600@60Hz on an external screen?

Posted on Jul 22, 2016 6:07 AM

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Schendstok

Q: External monitor flickering Macbook 2016

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  • Helpful answers

  • by darren.s,

    darren.s darren.s Jul 22, 2016 6:48 PM in response to Schendstok
    Community Specialists
    Jul 22, 2016 6:48 PM in response to Schendstok

    Hello Schendstok,


    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. 


    I understand from your post that you are trying to use an external display with your MacBook, but the monitor is showing a blank screen. I like using external displays with my Mac too. I recommend reviewing the following article to verify if everything meets the system requirements and for some additional troubleshooting steps: 

    Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac


    Best Regards

  • by Schendstok,

    Schendstok Schendstok Jul 23, 2016 3:17 PM in response to darren.s
    Level 1 (24 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 23, 2016 3:17 PM in response to darren.s

    Thanks for the link.

     

    I tried the points above, but these do not make a difference.

     

    But I did find a way to make it work using the Apple Multi-AV adapter.

    For some reason setting the displays to mirror mode (optimised for the Dell) in "Displays -> Arrangement-> Mirror Displays" solves the problem. When in mirror mode the output is stable (but often I still need a second try connecting the monitor before it is correctly detected). If mirror mode isn't enabled the external screen keeps flickering.

     

    So I suppose it is a software issue and not that my MacBook or Multi-AV adapter is defective. Or do you think I should have my Macbook hardware checked at an Apple store?

     

    Mirror mode is fine for me, but it is stilll a bit annoying. If it is a software problem, how should I report the bug?

  • by darren.s,Helpful

    darren.s darren.s Jul 24, 2016 1:11 PM in response to Schendstok
    Community Specialists
    Jul 24, 2016 1:11 PM in response to Schendstok

    Schendstok,

    You can run a diagnostic on your Mac without having to take it into an Apple Store. Restart your Mac and immediately after you hear the start-up tones, press and hold the D key on the keyboard until you see the diagnostic begin. This article has some additional information about the diagnostics: 

    Using Apple Diagnostics

     

    Cheers

  • by Schendstok,

    Schendstok Schendstok Jul 24, 2016 1:27 PM in response to darren.s
    Level 1 (24 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 24, 2016 1:27 PM in response to darren.s

    I ran a diagnostic. No Issues found.

     

     

    So I think it is a software issue.

    The external screen option is perfectly work-able in "Mirror Displays" mode. I wanted to use it that way anyhow (30 inch is large enough).

     

     

    I even got the MacBook to work in 2560x1600@60Hz on the Dell! Using an active HDMI to DisplayPort adapter from DeLock (that supports 4k). Sadly still the same issue with not being stable (when not in mirror mode)

  • by kenofstephen,

    kenofstephen kenofstephen Jul 26, 2016 11:12 PM in response to Schendstok
    Level 1 (27 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 26, 2016 11:12 PM in response to Schendstok

    I am having similar issue on the 2016 MacBook,

    but not the 2015 MacBook,

    I would say it's either driver or hardware issue.

  • by tom-ch,

    tom-ch tom-ch Jul 28, 2016 2:13 AM in response to Schendstok
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 28, 2016 2:13 AM in response to Schendstok

    I have the same random flickering problem. I am running an external display 3440x1440 @50Hz. If I boot the machine with the monitor attached then it works perfectly all day. It seems to only happen after sleep mode. Therefore, I hope it can be fixed via software update....

  • by wenchenx,

    wenchenx wenchenx Aug 13, 2016 10:07 PM in response to Schendstok
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 13, 2016 10:07 PM in response to Schendstok

    I have the same issue.

    It might be radio frequency interference problem between USB 3.0 and 2.4Ghz Wifi.

    So, I'm turned off my wifi and using usb RJ45 ethernet. It doesn't flickering anymore.

  • by jdeath,

    jdeath jdeath Aug 17, 2016 8:00 AM in response to Schendstok
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 17, 2016 8:00 AM in response to Schendstok

    My coworker and I recently purchased 2016 MacBooks to use for work, and external monitors and docks to go with them. We both experienced this major, unacknowledged issue- but thought it might be related to the monitors or docks rather than the MacBooks. However once I got home, using a different monitor and the official Apple multiport adapter I have the same result.

     

    Another symptom I experienced was a prompt to install a USB-C update almost every time I plugged in the adapter or dock. It didn't seem like the update ever properly installed.

     

    Usually I reboot, and this makes the problem disappear (also pointed out by user tom-ch). Hopefully somebody inside Apple realizes this is an issue and gets us some steps to rectify it- other than rebooting our machines every day (like cave men! )