MacBook Pro Screen Flickering Issues: Causes and Solutions

If you’ve encountered screen flickering, blinking, or flashing on your MacBook Pro, you know how frustrating and disruptive this issue can be. These problems can manifest in various ways, from subtle flickers to a persistent, jarring screen shake. Fortunately, several common causes and fixes can help you resolve the issue.

Common Causes for MacBook Pro Screen Flickering

1. Software Glitches or Bugs The most common cause of display flickering on a MacBook Pro is software-related. Updates or certain applications can trigger conflicts, leading to flickering or blinking on your display.

• macOS Update Issues: Sometimes, after updating macOS, users experience problems like a flickering screen. This could be due to a bug or compatibility issues with your current system configuration.
• Third-Party Software: Some apps can cause your MacBook Pro screen to flicker, especially graphics-intensive software or apps that are not optimized for macOS. If the flickering starts when using a particular app, that might be the culprit.

2. Display Settings Incorrect display settings could also result in a flickering screen.

• Resolution and Refresh Rate: MacBook Pro automatically adjusts resolution and refresh rate to match the display and power conditions. Incorrect settings, however, can lead to a blinking MacBook Pro screen.
• Automatic Brightness Adjustment: Some users have reported that turning off automatic brightness adjustment in settings reduces the frequency of screen flickering.

3. Graphics Card Issues A malfunctioning or failing graphics card (GPU) can cause display flickering, particularly when handling demanding tasks. MacBook Pro models with dual graphics cards are more prone to this issue, as the system switches between integrated and discrete GPUs.

• Automatic Graphics Switching: On MacBook Pros with dual GPUs, the system can switch between them depending on your task. This switch can sometimes cause a flickering MacBook Pro screen.

4. External Display Problems If you’re using an external monitor with your MacBook Pro, the connection or compatibility might cause the MacBook Pro monitor to flicker. This can be caused by an incompatible cable, an issue with the monitor itself, or improper settings.

How to Fix MacBook Pro Flickering Screen Issues

1. Restart Your MacBook Pro One of the easiest fixes is restarting your MacBook Pro. This simple action can reset background processes and resolve temporary glitches, including flickering.

Learn More: How to restart your computer?

• How to restart: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and select “Restart.” Once your MacBook reboots, check if the screen flickering persists.

2. Update macOS Running an outdated version of macOS can lead to screen flickering. Regular software updates often include fixes for known bugs.

• How to update: Go to System Preferences > Software Update, and check if there’s a new version of macOS available. If there is, update to the latest version and see if the flickering MacBook Pro screen issue resolves.

3. Disable Automatic Graphics Switching If your MacBook Pro has both integrated and discrete GPUs, automatic switching between them can cause display issues. Disabling this feature might stop the flickering.

• How to disable graphics switching:
  • Go to System Preferences.
  • Click Battery or Energy Saver.
  • Uncheck Automatic Graphics Switching.

This setting may increase battery usage, but it can solve the MacBook Pro flashing screen issue.

4. Reset NVRAM and PRAM NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) and PRAM (Parameter RAM) store system settings like display resolution and volume. Resetting them can fix screen flickering.

• How to reset NVRAM and PRAM:
  1. Shut down your MacBook Pro.
  2. Hold down Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds, then release the keys.
  3. Your Mac will restart, and the screen flickering should be resolved.

5. Reset System Management Controller (SMC) The SMC manages power-related settings on your MacBook, and resetting it can solve many hardware-related issues, including Mac screen flickering.

• How to reset SMC:
  • Shut down your Mac.
  • Press Shift + Control + Option on the left side of the keyboard and the power button simultaneously for 10 seconds.
  • Release all keys, then press the power button again to turn your MacBook on.

6. Adjust Display Settings If the flickering persists, try changing the display settings to a different resolution or refresh rate.

• How to adjust display settings:
  • Go to System Preferences > Displays.
  • Adjust the resolution and refresh rate to see if this solves the issue.

Disabling automatic brightness adjustment might also help if your MacBook Pro screen is flickering in response to changes in ambient lighting.

7. Test for App Conflicts Certain applications can conflict with macOS, causing the display to flicker. If the issue only occurs when using a specific app, consider reinstalling or updating that app. You can also boot your Mac into Safe Mode to see if a third-party app is causing the flicker.

• How to boot into Safe Mode:
  • Restart your MacBook and hold the Shift key while it boots up.
  • Check if the screen still flickers. If it doesn’t, the issue might be with a third-party app.

8. Check for External Display Problems If your MacBook Pro is connected to an external monitor and flickering occurs on that monitor, the issue might be related to the external display.

• How to fix external monitor flickering:
  • Disconnect and reconnect the display cable.
  • Try using a different cable or adapter.
  • Change the refresh rate or resolution on your external display.

Conclusion

Screen flickering on a MacBook Pro can stem from several factors, including software bugs, improper display settings, GPU issues, and hardware problems. Simple solutions like restarting your MacBook, updating macOS, or disabling automatic graphics switching can resolve many cases of MacBook Pro monitor flickering. However, if these fixes don’t work, resetting the NVRAM, PRAM, or SMC, and testing for app conflicts may help. In more severe cases, contacting Apple Support is the best course of action to prevent further damage.

By troubleshooting methodically, you can usually resolve the flickering MacBook Pro screen without the need for professional repairs. Remember to keep your software up-to-date and maintain healthy usage habits to minimize future display issues.