M1/M2 flickering, ghosting with external display [Merged]

[Zest28]

Your reasoning is flawed on so many levels and no offense but this apple (or any company) fanboyism is a big factor in why so many companies get away with disgusting behaviour like this. Any company should be held to account for anti consumer practices (such as extreme and artifical vendor lock in).



You don't. Plenty of other users do have issues with 'many' varied monitor models from many 'varied' manufacturers.


A product can be broken if it causes standard accessories and peripherals to malfunction. It is not required that an external monitor should not work at all before you can deem a mac m1/m2 to be 'broken'. It is quite clear from this thread alone that the m1/m2 causes major issues with many displays.


Even if you try (and fail) to make the argument that the PC display manufacturer's are at fault here, which again - external montiros have been around forever, it is upto Apple to ensure that their customers are aware of potential issues. If they can't make hardware that works with 'existing' external monitors correctly, they should explicitly warn their users to NOT buy external monitors.

There are numerous cases where users that have had intel mac machines and were happily using their existing external monitors with intel mac machines, upgraded to m1/m2 with the very valid expectation that their existing flawlessly working external monitor would also work with the newly purchased m1/m2 based machine only to discover that this is not the case.

What an absurd notion that any existing user would have to throw away (in many cases quite expensive) any existing monitor they had that was working flawlessly with their intel mac just because it did not win the m1/m2 compatibility gamble. Utter non sense.

What Apple fanboyism? Do you know what reality is?
1. Apple cares so little about Mac, Apple hasn't updated certain Mac for over 6 years in the past.
2. Mac is the worst performing product of Dec 2022. Even iPads made more money than Mac as a whole.
3. Apple is a smartphone company, Mac is just a side business.

Given Apple's history and given that Mac is just a side business, do you really expect Apple to put the same time and energy in Mac like it does for the iPhone or what Microsoft did with Windows?

Apple is not likely to adapt to PC hardware manufacturers, Apple doesn't make that much money of Mac to treat it like their core business.

This is what reality is.

 

[oz_rkie]

What Apple fanboyism? Do you know what reality is?
1. Apple cares so little about Mac, Apple hasn't updated certain Mac for over 6 years in the past.
2. Mac is the worst performing product of Dec 2022. Even iPads made more money than Mac as a whole.
3. Apple is a smartphone company, Mac is just a side business.

None of these are reasons to argue that the fault lies with external display manufacturers and not Apple. You seem to be contradicting yourself as well. First you say, that it is the display manufacturers responsibility and now you say it is because apple does not care. Maybe make up your mind.

Regardless, I'll stop wasting my time responding since it is pretty clear that you and I share different expectations of what a 'faulty' product is.

 

[Zest28]

None of these are reasons to argue that the fault lies with external display manufacturers and not Apple. You seem to be contradicting yourself as well. First you say, that it is the display manufacturers responsibility and now you say it is because apple does not care. Maybe make up your mind.

Regardless, I'll stop wasting my time responding since it is pretty clear that you and I share different expectations of what a 'faulty' product is.

I don't contradict myself. I'm just telling what the Mac is to Apple. It's not their core business so PC display manufacturers simply have to adapt.

My non-Apple 4K displays are working fine, so it can be done by PC display manufactures.

 

[tomek4]

Hey Guys,

I'm another one on the same boat.
2020 Macbook Pro M1 (13") and Dell U3223QE (true 10/30 bit black ips panel) as an external display connected using USB-TB interface.
It started flickering a few months ago and I'm pretty sure that setup worked good earlier. It might be connected with some MacOS update.
The scenario is the same, where the common thing is some gray or dark blue colors. Then it starting flickering that looks like refresh rate's reduction from native 60Hz to 15-20Hz (?).
Ofc tried everything including monitor replacement (reason not related - bad pixel) - the issue still exists.

I'm fully aware that we can't count too much on a vendor's support so the only thing is to accept that two mid-class devices won't work smoothly together.

​

 

[oz_rkie]

Hey Guys,

I'm another one on the same boat.
2020 Macbook Pro M1 (13") and Dell U3223QE (true 10/30 bit black ips panel) as an external display connected using USB-TB interface.
It started flickering a few months ago and I'm pretty sure that setup worked good earlier. It might be connected with some MacOS update.
The scenario is the same, where the common thing is some gray or dark blue colors. Then it starting flickering that looks like refresh rate's reduction from native 60Hz to 15-20Hz (?).
Ofc tried everything including monitor replacement (reason not related - bad pixel) - the issue still exists.

I'm fully aware that we can't count too much on a vendor's support so the only thing is to accept that two mid-class devices won't work smoothly together.

​

welcome to the apple ecosystem. Probably sell your dell and buy an apply studio display or the apple pro xdr. /s

 

[benoni]

I have had problems with flickering on my both Dell P2720DC monitors, plugged into MacBook Pro M1Pro 14inch 2021 too. At first the problem was with the USB-C cables that were included with the monitors, I swapped them for i-tec Thunderbolt3 (40Gps Power Delivery 100W). This helped for a while and the issue with flickering was definitely better but was still there from time to time especially when using dark modes in various applications (Discord, Web Browser, IntelliJ, Slack and so on).

The thing that solved issues for me was to change the Color profile of my both Displays from the default one "DELL P2720DC" to "Adobe RGB (1998). I must say that the colors are not so great but at least I got rid off the constant flickering. Have not tried other ones because I have read somewhere (can't find it now) that the Color Profiles make a huge difference when it comes to any problem with screen flickering.

 

[stevemiller]

I have had problems with flickering on my both Dell P2720DC monitors, plugged into MacBook Pro M1Pro 14inch 2021 too. At first the problem was with the USB-C cables that were included with the monitors, I swapped them for i-tec Thunderbolt3 (40Gps Power Delivery 100W). This helped for a while and the issue with flickering was definitely better but was still there from time to time especially when using dark modes in various applications (Discord, Web Browser, IntelliJ, Slack and so on).

The thing that solved issues for me was to change the Color profile of my both Displays from the default one "DELL P2720DC" to "Adobe RGB (1998). I must say that the colors are not so great but at least I got rid off the constant flickering. Have not tried other ones because I have read somewhere (can't find it now) that the Color Profiles make a huge difference when it comes to any problem with screen flickering.

View attachment 2166529

give it some time. i can go days without the issue before it suddenly cropping up again. also i tried this color profile and it started flickering within an hour. overall this situation is a real mess.

 

[oz_rkie]

give it some time. i can go days without the issue before it suddenly cropping up again. also i tried this color profile and it started flickering within an hour. overall this situation is a real mess.

Yep, this is exactly right. This is such an obscure issue. It can go days without occurring leading you to think, 'ah yep, this is what fixed the issue' and then suddenly its back.

 

[carlos1172]

I don't know if it's been said on this forum yet, but one fix is to use a DisplayLink adapter. Is technically an external GPU so it does not suffer from the M1 built-in GPU that causes vertical line flickering on dark content.

I have validated this for months on end using an cheap DisplayLink adapter that only supported 2560x1080p@60hz.

Unfortunately, it only works until 60hz. I bought an expensive StarTech adapter (USB32DP24K60) and in MacOS it says it's running at 2560x1080p@180hz but it's actually still just running at 60hz.

In Windows this adapter does indeed support up to 180 hz.

 

[genexx]

I have had problems with flickering on my both Dell P2720DC monitors, plugged into MacBook Pro M1Pro 14inch 2021 too. At first the problem was with the USB-C cables that were included with the monitors, I swapped them for i-tec Thunderbolt3 (40Gps Power Delivery 100W). This helped for a while and the issue with flickering was definitely better but was still there from time to time especially when using dark modes in various applications (Discord, Web Browser, IntelliJ, Slack and so on).

The thing that solved issues for me was to change the Color profile of my both Displays from the default one "DELL P2720DC" to "Adobe RGB (1998). I must say that the colors are not so great but at least I got rid off the constant flickering. Have not tried other ones because I have read somewhere (can't find it now) that the Color Profiles make a huge difference when it comes to any problem with screen flickering.

View attachment 2166529

@benoni

(Edit: sorry have the P2722DC)

I have the same Monitor and no Problem at all with flickering (MBA M2).

• There is an Option in the Monitor Settings to turn DDC/CI off, which i set to off State.
• Set fixed frequency to 75 Hertz (Mac).
• Have connected it via USB-C and delivers my Power also.

 

[compukortschnoi]

This problem has been with me almost as long as this thread has been around. I have tried every new workaround - as it related to my setup.

I encountered the phenomenon on both my two Eizo FS2333 and my Dell SE3223Q. On the former it was the flickering dark areas, on the latter it was the vertical lines that bothered me.

To have peace of mind, I too purchased a DisplayLink adapter, specifically the OWCCADPDL2HDMI from OWC. It was the only adapter that offered the combination of USB-C, 4k and 60 Hz. It was not cheap at 140 EUR.

The last problem was that my Mac mini wouldn't boot unless a monitor was connected DIRECTLY to one of its ports. According to my observations, this happens when FileVault is enabled. In this case, the DisplayLink driver does not load until after login. So the Mac mini "thinks" that no monitor is connected and shuts down again because it does not recognize the monitor connected to the DisplayLink adapter.

I did not want to disable FileVault. So I got an HDMI emulator adapter and plugged it into the HDMI port of the Mac mini. Now the Mac mini started and I could enter the password (blindly). After logging in, the driver loaded, the display connected to the DL adapter came to life, and the desktop appeared.

This is my solution now until Apple comes around with a fix sometime.

Pros:
- Peace of mind

Cons:
- 140 EUR for the adapter
- 10 EUR for the HDMI emulator
- Occasional artifacts, probably from the experimental 3008x and 2560x modes of the DL driver
- Blind typing of the password at boot and reboot

 

[dahu33]

I'm really tired of this issue and the fact that Apple has decided to close their eyes on it. We are speaking about thousand of dollars laptops not the one cheap one from the local store.

Is there any competent person in this forum that could help setting-up a class-action or help to get some press coverage to make some noise? Unless we do something this never going to be fixed...

 

[blacksoil]

I'm using Dell P2720 monitor and am facing the same issue. A couple things seem to help for me:
1. Adjust external monitor brightness to at least 75%
2. Change external monitor color profile to "Generic RGB Profile"
2. When flickering happens. Go to display setting, then change external monitor refresh rate to 50hz, then back to 60hz. After changing the screen would refresh and the flicker disappeared! If it still doesn't help, restart the mac and change the refresh rate again.

Do note that once the flicker happens, don't just leave it! I think it may damage the monitor permanently if you leave it be.

Hope this works for a long time!

 

[saltcityman11]

It happened to me. I just did this.Apple Support

 

[aKansasKid]

I'd like to get an M2 Mac Mini, but fear any sub-$300 monitor I would get would flicker. I know bad news always travels faster. Do most M1/M2 users with non-Apple monitors have no problem? Do we know how pervasive the problem is? Are there some models of monitors known not to flicker? Unless my odds are very good of not ending up with more than an occasional flicker, I'll just stay with Windows until Apple fixes the problem.

 

[DarkPremiumCho]

I don't have a flickering problem. But I do have one that every time I plug the USB-C DisplayPort cable I get sparks between the unibody and the cable head. The other one is the sleeping Mac sends signal to the monitor every 1-2 minutes, resulting the backlight turns on and a "no signal" message to appear. No biggie. I just power off the monitor when the Mac is not in use.

 

[bobcomer]

With an Mac Studio and cheaper Samsung 4K monitor, I don't have what I'd call a flicker, but the screen does go black for a few seconds every once in awhile. Seems to be a Sync problem. Text on the display isn't that great and it comes nowhere near as good as my 27" iMac display.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I used to have flickering with my MacBook Pro 4k@60. Changed to high quality cable for HDMI/USBC, it helped.

 

[Corefile]

What flickering problem? I have a Dell monitor and don't get any flickering on my M2 Mini.

 

[aKansasKid]

What flickering problem? I have a Dell monitor and don't get any flickering on my M2 Mini.

Oh, like the flickering 590 posts in this thread describe:

M1 Air ghosting, flickering with external display

My M1 MacBook Air has a serious problem with external displays. Pinging the brains here in case there are any ideas more convenient than sending back to Apple. Connecting directly via a known-good USB-C to DisplayPort cable, my Dell U2713HM (1) flickers, (2) shows vertical lines, and (3) mixes...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Corefile]

Oh, like the flickering 590 posts in this thread describe:

Huh. Totally missed this but out of the three Apple Silicon products I have (m1 and m2 Minis and m1 MBA), all of them have spent time connected to several different Dell LCDs (P2715Q and 2419H x2) without problems. Maybe I got lucky.

 

[aKansasKid]

Huh. Totally missed this but out of the three Apple Silicon products I have (m1 and m2 Minis and m1 MBA), all of them have spent time connected to several different Dell LCDs (P2715Q and 2419H x2) without problems. Maybe I got lucky.

I'm hoping it's not luck, and is not a pervasive problem. But the posts and threads addressing it can be unsettling if you're still in the planning/pre-acquisition phase.

 

[dmr727]

Interesting. I wasn't aware of the issue either. My M1 MBA works great with my LG 27UK850 4K display over USB-C. Bummer that others are having trouble.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

My MBA M1 is almost exclusively used in claimshell connected to a BenQ monitor. And I occasionally connect my MBP M1 Max to a Dell monitor and the Odyssey Neo G9 monitor. The Dell I connect with USB-C, my other two monitors HDMI. Haven't experienced any flickering at all.

 

[Zest28]

Never had a single issue with my previous Samsung 4K monitor.

But then again, Samsung makes displays for many Apple Silicon products so there is a high likelihood that a Samsung display will work fine.