Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen

I am reaching out to share an ongoing issue I, along with several other users, have been experiencing with our iMac 24-inch models, and to seek a collective resolution.


Problem Description:

  • Persistent horizontal lines appear on the screen, which significantly hampers the usability and visual appeal of the device.
  • This problem arises without any physical damage, and despite the stationary nature of the device.


Steps Taken:

  • Connected to an external display: The external display works fine, indicating the issue is with the iMac's internal display.
  • Reinstalled the OS: The problem persisted post reinstallation.
  • Avoided operating the iMac for a week: No change in the situation.


Concerns:

  • The cost of screen replacement is high, and there's no assurance that it will resolve the issue permanently.
  • The quality concern is alarming especially for a brand that positions itself as a premium segment player.
  • The support received thus far has been unsatisfactory, with no definitive solutions provided apart from a costly screen replacement suggestion.





Please do not ask us to visit to service center and replace the screen for 650USD + , problem happens mostly after warranty.


[Edited by Moderator]

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Oct 21, 2023 10:40 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 7, 2024 9:45 AM

To make the best of a bad situation you could always use a separate monitor with the iMac. It's an annoyance given that there's already a display taking up desk space but at least you wouldn't have to get another computer. I kept several older iMacs going that way. Just make sure that if the display is really starting to go that you set this up before it is fully gone. You set up the second display as mirroring the first one and with iMacs this has to be done while you can still navigate the main display.

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484 replies

Oct 28, 2025 8:06 AM in response to latVm

I wrote in one more time:

"One of my iMacs now shows horizontal lines across the lower display. Apple Store said it’s a hardware problem needing a costly screen replacement. Support later told me it’s just an expense after three years. That’s unacceptable. I’ve since found over 700 users reporting the same issue, likely tied to the iMac’s design and brightness management. As a loyal Mac user for 35 years, owning more than 22 Macs, I expect Apple to take responsibility. Please issue a repair or recall—loyal customers shouldn’t bear the cost of a widespread defect."

Fingers crossed.

If this is happening to you too, speak up. Write in the forum. We need to get Apple to accept the design flaw and cover the replacement.

Oct 30, 2025 1:06 AM in response to retroworldnews

Given a 100% fail rate (same display issue) of my four M1 iMac computers, I am pretty sure this is a wide spread issue. As all M1, M3 and M4 iMacs are having about the same design, I'd expect there will be increasing number of similar cases.


Nonetheless, I don't think Apple will admit the issue due to cost and reputation concern. Granting a Service Program means Apple admitting a design flaw in Apple chip iMac series. More importantly, it also means it admits the flaw was not addressed for a few years.


Although Apple will refund the repair cost if a Service Program is issued, but I think many affected users will just look for other solutions (e.g. connect to external monitor, switch to Mac mini).


I guess Apple will just change the circuit design in next generations of iMac, but it will not grant a Service Program soon. It may grant a Service Program after most affected users disposed their affected iMacs, so as to minimize the P&L impact, yet claiming its' goodwill in customer service.

Dec 19, 2023 5:19 AM in response to latVm

I’ve been having the very same problem for a very well maintained 24” iMac M1 purchased in July 2021. This is very clearly a manufacturing defect. There’s no reason for a lot of people to have this issue pop out of nowhere exactly 2 years later. How do we go about claiming manufacturing defect? Any advice would be valuable. Ain’t no way am I going to pay 600+ dollars for a defect that took only 2 years to pop up.

Jan 15, 2024 2:15 AM in response to latVm

Have the same issue on my iMac 24" 2021. Started with lines at the bottom, shutdown and it was gone. After some time, it came again, shutdown then gone again. Then the 3rd time, it came again and never went away. Even I shutdown my iMac for a month, the lines are still there.

I went to Apple Service Center and they quote me S$900++, way very expensive. So just went back home and try to make use of the iMac even if the lines at the bottom are very disturbing.

This might be some issue on most if not all of the iMac M1?

How can we escalate this to Apple?

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen

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