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Macbook Pro 13 inch 2017 Retina Flickering screen issues who has the solution???? After update

S

slemsje

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 2, 2019
3
0
Recently after I updated to Mojave 10.14.3 after a while my screen got flickering issues. (never bumped or dropped the Mac). When hooked up to a external display no issues of flickering on both screens.

Link to the youtube video of the flickering issues:

All the things I already tried are:
- Turn off light dimming automatically
- Change scale of screen resolution
- Pram memory reset
- Safe mode (in which he gave no flicker but after start up again)
- System management control reset does not help either
- Other color profiles
- Emptied and cleaned my Mac
- Restored my Mac to Mojave 10.14.1
- Restored my Mac to Sierra 10.13.6
- Tried to check/uncheck hardware acceleration box in Chrome
- Turned wifi off I am totally out of suggestions, who has THE solution that will make my day, week, year!!! I will be in your dept for eternity!
 
What do you mean by: "Safe mode (in which he gave no flicker but after start up again)"?

Are you saying you don't have flickering in Safe Mode but it starts again in the regular mode? If so, there's likely some software you have installed that is now causing issues with 10.14.3. The software in question would be in the form of a kernel extension, startup/login item, daemon, etc. which runs automatically.
 
Hi treekram,

Thanks for your response. Indeed in Safe mode there is no flickering. (i will redo that test after answering here).

I first tried to go back and installed a clean install with Mojave 10.14.1 but this didnt help. So I did a clean install and now have Sierra 10.13.6 installed. Is it still possible than that there is a software that causes the issues? And is there a possibility that i can find out which one. (I dont know where to look or how to track this down, hope you might be able to help me out?

Thanks for your trouble - "a frustrated blinking of all the flickering on my screen" Sander
 
The question of whether the flicker stops in Safe Mode but returns in regular mode is an important one.

When you did the clean install of 10.14.1, did you also install other non-Apple software that you typically use? And the same question with 10.13.6 (High Sierra I presume, Sierra would be 10.12.6)? If you were on 10.13.6 for some time and it didn't flicker, but it is flickering now even though you reverted back, then another possibility is the EFI firmware in combination with some 3rd party software. For my 2018 MBP, there was an EFI firmware update with 10.14.3 (your 2017 may or may not have had an update and these EFI firmware updates, unlike OS updates, are not reversible). While these are the most likely causes given the information you've provided, it could also be something else. (I would have expected to see more people reporting flickering if it was just the OS or EFI update causing the problem.)

Something you can also test is to see if there is flickering stops in regular mode when you disconnect all external devices, turning off WiFi, and running in the opposite mode of what you usually do with regards to the battery.

There's a program available that will make a report of the 3rd-party startup items, etc. you have (free up to a certain number of reports). EtreCheck also appears to be available on the App Store. The reports that it produces will have specific identifiers for your Mac removed so you can post the report here.
https://etrecheck.com/
 
I tried all the clean installs without even installing programs or putting back files or backups. Just a fresh clean install and than already on login the flickering starts.

I just also found out about the tool you are talking about. Here is what i found out in the rapports. And also I attached a pdf with the other rapport parts. Is there a way to start those not loaded agents? I think there is the problem comming from?

System Launch Agents
Status: Not loaded - 13 Apple files
Author Label Install Date
Apple com.apple.SafariHistoryServiceAgent 2019-02-02 17:38:04
Apple com.apple.SafariBookmarksSyncAgent 2019-02-02 17:36:05
Apple com.apple.AppleGraphicsWarning 2018-07-04 11:15:27
Apple com.apple.SafariCloudHistoryPushAgent 2019-02-02 17:38:04
Apple com.apple.SafariLaunchAgent 2019-02-02 17:38:04
Apple com.apple.SafariPlugInUpdateNotifier 2019-02-02 17:38:04
Apple com.apple.ReportGPURestart 2018-07-04 11:05:00
Apple com.apple.webinspectord 2019-02-02 17:38:07
Apple com.apple.FolderActionsDispatcher 2018-07-04 11:14:44
Apple com.apple.SafariNotificationAgent 2019-02-02 17:38:04
Apple com.apple.UserEventAgent-LoginWindow 2018-07-04 11:07:13
Apple com.apple.PCIESlotCheck 2018-07-04 11:05:11
Apple com.apple.UserNotificationCenterAgent-LoginWindow 2018-07-04 11:13:47
Status: Loaded - 164 Apple files
Status: Running - 115 Apple files
Status: Other - one Apple file
These are Apple launch agents on your Mac. Launch agents are apps that run in the background when any user is logged in. Some of these apps can be in an active Running state. They can also be in a Loaded state where they are not currently running, but could be started if needed. They may be in Not Loaded state, or disabled. If your machine is running low on RAM memory, they could be Killed to make more memory available. Rarely, they may be in other states as well.

All items listed here should be from Apple. By default, only totals are listed. Click the Show and Hide buttons to show and hide the full lists.

System Launch Daemons
Status: Not loaded - 38 Apple files
Author Label Install Date
Apple org.openldap.slapd 2018-07-04 11:07:19
Apple org.ntp.ntpd-legacy 2017-10-07 04:45:04
Apple com.apple.xscertd 2018-07-04 11:06:44
Apple com.apple.AEServer 2018-07-04 11:04:08
Apple com.apple.tftpd 2018-07-04 11:07:16
Apple com.apple.getty 2018-07-04 11:07:04
Apple com.apple.xsan 2018-07-04 11:05:16
Apple com.apple.ODSAgent 2018-07-04 11:13:45
Apple org.net-snmp.snmpd 2017-10-13 02:58:57
Apple com.apple.uucp 2018-07-04 11:07:11
Apple 2018-06-12 06:39:33
Apple com.apple.platform.ptmd 2018-07-04 11:07:23
Apple org.apache.httpd 2018-04-04 08:48:51
Apple com.apple.locate 2017-10-07 04:07:51
Apple com.apple.AppleFileServer 2019-02-02 17:38:07
Apple com.apple.firmwaresyncd 2018-07-04 11:06:44
Apple com.apple.ManagedClient.startup 2018-07-04 11:14:27
Apple com.apple.xscertd-helper 2018-07-04 11:07:02
Apple com.apple.screensharing 2018-07-04 11:12:25
Apple com.apple.PasswordService 2018-07-04 11:07:30
Apple com.apple.ftp-proxy 2018-07-04 11:07:07
Apple com.apple.msrpc.echosvc 2018-07-04 11:07:28
Apple org.cups.cups-lpd 2018-07-04 11:05:43
Apple com.apple.xscertadmin 2018-07-04 11:07:31
Apple com.apple.odproxyd 2018-07-04 11:07:22
Apple com.apple.dnsextd 2018-07-04 11:07:17
Apple com.apple.mdmclient.daemon.runatboot 2018-07-04 11:07:23
Apple com.apple.bootpd 2018-07-04 11:07:16
Apple com.apple.kdumpd 2018-07-04 11:06:57
Apple com.apple.xsandaily 2018-07-04 11:05:21
Apple com.apple.atrun 2018-07-04 11:07:27
Apple com.apple.comsat 2018-07-04 11:07:18
Apple com.apple.NetBootClientStatus 2018-07-04 11:06:47
Apple com.apple.ntalkd 2018-07-04 11:07:15
Apple com.apple.security.FDERecoveryAgent 2018-07-04 11:06:57
Apple com.apple.smbd 2018-07-04 11:06:54
Apple com.apple.emlog 2017-10-07 07:52:52
Apple com.openssh.sshd 2018-01-23 03:04:00
Status: Loaded - 177 Apple files
Status: Running - 120 Apple files
These are Apple launch daemons on your Mac. Launch daemons are apps that run in the background, without a user interface, whenever the machine is turned on. Some of these apps can be in an active Running state. They can also be in a Loaded state where they are not currently running, but could be started if needed. They may be in Not Loaded state, or disabled. If your machine is running low on RAM memory, they could be Killed to make more memory available. Rarely, they may be in other states as well.

All items listed here should be from Apple. By default, only totals are listed. Click the Show and Hide buttons to show and hide the full lists.

User Launch Agents
File name: com.google.keystone.agent.plist
Label: com.google.keystone.user.agent
Status: Loaded
Author: Google, Inc.
Install Date: 2019-02-03 06:42:09
These are 3rd party launch agents on your Mac. Launch agents are apps that run in the background when a specific user is logged in. Some of these apps can be in an active Running state. They can also be in a Loaded state where they are not currently running, but could be started if needed. They may be in Not Loaded state, or disabled. Rarely, they may be in other states as well. This list usually does not include Apple items.

Click the Reveal in Finder button to show the launchd config file in the Finder. Click the Reveal Executable button to show the associated executable app. To remove a launchd file, use vendor-provided uninstallers or uninstallation instructions, if possible. Use the Lookup button to research the software on Apple Support Communities.

User Login Items
Name: BitTorrent.app
Author: BitTorrent, Inc
Install Date 2019-02-03 08:10:32
Executable: /Applications/BitTorrent.app
Login Items are apps that run as soon as the user logs into the system. Some Login Items can be managed using the Users & Groups pane in System Preferences. Click on Login Items for your account. Some Login Items may be SMLoginItems which are embedded within another app and can only be managed through that app. Use the Reveal in Finder button to open a Finder window and select the app.
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.pdf
    1.7 MB · Views: 456
For the System Launch Agents and System Launch Daemons, you only have Apple items. Since the 3rd-party items are User Launch Agents and User Login Items, you can create a new user (or use the "Guest" user if one exists) and see if you have flickering when you login under the other user.

The following Apple article explains how to create a new user. It's for Sierra but I don't think it has changed for High Sierra.
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25796?locale=en_US

As I mentioned earlier, try disconnecting your external devices and see if the flickering occurs then. If you haven't done a complete shutdown since your problems began, try that. Also try running under both battery and AC power.

You can also try a NVRAM and SMC reset. These are commonly suggested steps when problems occur. It will solve a limited set of problems but because it's relatively easy to do, it is worth a try when other problem solving steps don't work.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
 
Slemsje
I have same exact issue with my MacBook pro 13" 2017.
I was wondering if you found a fix for it?
Nothing seams to work and no one can help.
Apple support said that graphic card must be changed ($500)
 
After second trip to Apple Store and demanding free fix and with no luck ( now they want $700 with no guarantee it will be fixed) I decided to try something. I installed windows 10 on bootcamp and there is no screen flickering at all. Windows is running smoothly. Everything works without glitch.
Very, very strange! Apple "genius"people have no idea what could be a problem. Im very disappointed with Apple.
 
Hey guys,

I too have a similar issue with my 13” MacBook Pro 2017 model...it definitely works fine in the safe boot...but the user profile is the issue...starts blinking/flickering..at lower angles it works fine...

I went to the Apple service centre with my MacBook they have quoted me around 650$ for the display change...

Someone here said that booting with windows 10 has worked...Gotta try that as well but surely very disappointed with the support system of Apple since they couldn’t just diagnose the issue...

I do not think this is a display issue...maybe graphics card or something since it works fine with Safe boot...I also tried working it with a projector and it works fine the display as well as the one that was projected..

Has anyone found a solution to this??
 
Last edited:
To Abhishek
If you don't care about MAC OS install Windows 10. This is what I did. I know this is not a solution but I can't pay $600-700 with no guaranty from Apple that it will be fixed. I wonder how long will take them to admit that something is wrong with them and they do recall.
 
Hii Matt45,

Yes it is true that paying 600-700$ isn’t nonsense stuff from Apple care and I too don’t want to spend this simple reason...

I tried the boot camp assistant and installed Windows 10 with dual boot on the MacBook Pro and it worked like a charm...

Thanks to your thread...it worked well...
Also I would like to know if I can install windows without using the boot camp assistant so that I can make it a fully windows laptop !!
 
If you Google you will find the instructions how to do it. It is not that simple. But I guess it is doable. Im not going to mess with that ,for now at least. Good Luck!
 
Same problem here: MacBook Pro 13" 2017, screen flickering in every application, most noticeable in clear, white backgrounds. I too confirm that the issue doesn't occur after safe mode startup. I also tried a clean install, to make sure that no other 3rd party software would be the cause of this, but the result is the same. I can add that I first noticed the issue while still on Catalina. Mac OS Big Sur doesn't change anything.
My previous MacBook Pro was the 2011 15" model with the plagued graphics board. I AM SO P***** AT APPLE NOW!
 
We were having what sounds like the same problem:
  • Macbook Pro (13-inch, 2017) running 11.1 Big Sur
  • Slight screen flickering, especially noticeable in bright areas of the screen
  • Flickering didn't seem to show up in Safe Mode
  • Flickered did show up on a fresh account after making a new user
Possible fix: We noticed we still had a browser named "Lockdown Browser" installed from some previous AP tests. After uninstalling Lockdown Browser, so far the flickering has gone away. Here's hoping that's a real fix and it helps others!
 
My MacBook Pro 13" (2017) screen stopped flickering after MacOS 11.2 update. Anyone else experiencing this?
UPDATE:
You can discard this question. Flickering is back 😒
 
Last edited:
My MacBook Pro 13" (2017) screen has been replaced entirely. The screen has been declared defective, so the flickering had nothing to do with a broken flat cable, in my case.
 
The G-man said:
My MacBook Pro 13" (2017) screen stopped flickering after MacOS 11.2 update. Anyone else experiencing this?
UPDATE:
You can discard this question. Flickering is back 😒
Click to expand...
My MacBook Pro 13" (2017) screen did not stop flickering after MacOS 11.2 update. The present version of My Macbook is 11.5.1. When hooked up to an external display there are no issues of Blinking/Flickering on both screens. And, also it doesn't Blink/Fliker in Safe Mood. My Macbook never bumped or dropped. Can anyone please help me with this issue?
 
Last edited:
I have the same exact issue with my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports). The present OS is macOS Big Sur, Version 11.5.1 (20G80).

The Problem:
1. The screen keeps Blinking/Flickering after MacOS 11.2 update. (My Macbook never bumped or dropped)
2. When hooked up to an external display there are no issues of Blinking/Flickering on both screens. And,
3. It also doesn't Blink/Fliker in Safe Mood.

I have tried many options including Reinstalling the MacOS. I could not find any solution.
Can anyone help me with this issue, please?
 
Last edited:
Raiahan said:
I have the same exact issue with my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports). The present OS is macOS Big Sur, Version 11.5.1 (20G80).

The Problem:
1. The screen keeps Blinking/Flickering after MacOS 11.2 update. (My Macbook never bumped or dropped)
2. When hooked up to an external display there are no issues of Blinking/Flickering on both screens. And,
3. It also doesn't Blink/Fliker in Safe Mood.

I have tried many options including Reinstalling the MacOS. I could not find any solution.
Can anyone help me with this issue, please?
Click to expand...
Hi Raiahan, I have exactly the same problem as you have. No problems in safe mood, after reinstalling the OS nothing has changed, with an external display the flickering disappear. Do you have find a solution to this annoying issue?
 
I had 2 problems with my screen:
1) the screen flickering (as described in this thread)
2) screen top coating coming off

I shut up about the first issue and had the entire screen replaced under an Apple Service Program due to the second problem. The screen flickering is gone. Just saying.
 
I've fixed my flickering problem! The solution for me was falling off the stairs with my macbook pro under my arm. I don't know what happened but from that moment on the flickering disappears.
 
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Reactions: deedee0
Hey guys..i too have a glitching /flickering display issue on my macbook pro (13 inch - mid 2012..High sierra..4gb). The problem, however, seems to be there only on the admin/main account. The guest mode works just fine. I don't understand why! I have been to the apple service centers who've recommended replacing the screen at a whooping cost of $550. I honestly cant pay that much (im a student) for repairing an older version of mac, with no guarantee if the problem would return. I havent yet found a good solution. Pleaseeeee helpppp
 
deedee0 said:
Hey guys..i too have a glitching /flickering display issue on my macbook pro (13 inch mid 2012 model). The problem, however, seems to be there only on the admin/main account. The guest mode works just fine. I don't understand why! I have been to the apple service centers who've recommended replacing the screen at a whooping cost of $550. I honestly cant pay that much for repairing an older version of mac, with no guarantee for the future. I havent yet found a good solution. Pleaseeeee helpppp
Click to expand...
look into a new display cable or check the-
huh?
so if you log out of the admin or main account, the flickering stops?
hello Mr guest account
and enjoy you MacBook pro!

this seems very weird tho, you could be admin yourself
but perform a time machine back up very soon!
 
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