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Screen flickering issue on MacBook Air M1

My MacBook has suddenly started to flicker from the past 1 month. It only happens when I view the screen from certain angles (tbh, most angles). And the screen replacement is nearly 1/3rd the price of the MacBook. It's totally insane!!!!!!! I am a student struggling to end meets both academically and financial crisis at my home, thought MacBook could help me but was a disaster. Gotta leave from apple ecosystem soon :(((



MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.3

Posted on May 20, 2023 8:29 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 21, 2024 12:50 AM

I have MacBook Air it has started to flicker a lot lately. It’s on and off sometimes it work just fine but then it start flickering again. Does anyone know how to fix this.

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23 replies

May 23, 2023 3:54 AM in response to Sohitharry

There can be multiple reasons for screen flickering issue on your Mac. Some common reasons for the issue is in-display resolution, inappropriate working of Energy Saver, etc.

 

However, if your Macbook screen is flickering, there are few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue:

 

1. Check for software updates: Ensure that your Macbook's software is up-to-date. You can check for software updates by clicking on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and selecting "Software Update."

 

2. Restart your Macbook: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve display issues. Try restarting your Macbook to see if the flickering stops.

 

3. Check for loose connections: Make sure that the cables connecting your Macbook to any external displays or accessories are securely plugged in. If your Macbook is connected to an external display, try unplugging and replugging the display to see if that resolves the issue.

 

4. Adjust display settings: Try adjusting the display settings on your Macbook. You can do this by going to System Preferences > Displays and experimenting with different resolutions and refresh rates.

 

5. Reset the SMC: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Macbook. The process for resetting the SMC varies depending on the model of your Macbook, so you should consult Apple's support website for instructions.

 

6. Contact Apple Service Provider: They may recommend that you bring your Macbook in for repairs or offer other solutions to resolve the issue.

 

Hope it helps!

May 22, 2023 2:01 PM in response to Sohitharry

Hi Sohitharry,


It's normal for viewing angles to affect how a display looks.


This isn't likely to be something that would be affected by a replacement.


Go to Settings > Displays, and try turning True Tone off if that's on.

Use True Tone on your Mac


Also try to turn off Automatic brightness on this screen.

Change your Mac display’s brightness - Apple Support


See if that alleviates the display concern you're seeing.


Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.


Mar 11, 2024 4:35 PM in response to Sohitharry

Hello, I used to have the same issue for a long time, but I've finally managed to fix it by doing the following:

  1. Installed SwitchResX
  2. Created a custom resolution, which is 3440x1440@95hz (originally, my monitor supports 100hz, 48-100hz (Variable), 60hz and 30hz only)
  3. Once I created the custom resolution with 95hz refresh rate, I needed to reboot and now I have the option in the Display Settings from the dropdown -> Variable (100-48), 100, 95, 60, 30


For some reason, the 100hz option could not really make my monitor run on 100hz, but more like on 50hz.


TL;DR

So based on your monitor, try creating a custom resolution with SwitchResX, a few HZ (about 5) less than the maximum supported by your display.


Hope this helps.

Mar 22, 2024 11:08 AM in response to cj_3000

Another viable option I've just discovered is to use licensed version of BetterDisplay, then export the monitor's EDID, use AW EDID editor to edit the refresh rate from 100 to 97hz, and then exported the edited EDID bin file and loaded within BetterDisplay on startup.


Besides the two options (from this post and from my older post above) - I haven't managed to find ANY other solution to this issue.


But ye, happy to see my commend helped someone as I know the pain of flickering and not being able to fix it, I just didn't gave up and finally (after 2 years of using this monitor and Mx Macs) did it :D


Cheers

Jul 30, 2024 10:56 PM in response to Sohitharry

my disabled son using my personal MacBook Air 2018 pc flickering screen non-stop he is only using the pc for YouTube and amazon prime video and prime websites nothing Inappropriate it started to flicker the screen non stop while he watching on his YouTube channel and on his xbox screen pages he has tried to restart the pc and I'm afraid that my personal pc needs to get a new screen I only paid for the pc under $800 at my old job. he know's how to use it he was taught by myself and he wants to stop using the pc because of APPLES by Laws are BS

Screen flickering issue on MacBook Air M1

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