Maybe solved the flickering issues on the external screens

[VitoBotta]

Like others, I've had problems with flickering on my external screens since I bought my M1 mini. I've been using HDMI cables of various types (HDMI to HDMI, USBC to HDMI) and tried various settings (HDMI 2.x etc) but the problem persisted.

I just bought a USBC to DisplayPort cable and the flickering seems to have gone! Before the problem occurred even when doing things like opening some screens in system preferences, or - often - when watching videos especially in full screen.

It doesn't seem to happen anymore. Fingers crossed..... It really looks like HDMI on M1 Macs isn't working 100% reliably (I've had other problems with kernel panics that I was able to link to HDMI as well).

Are you having this problem? If yes how are your screens connected to the Mac?

 

[bobcomer]

I have the flickering when using my M1 MBA in clamshell mode, and yes, I'm attached via Thunderbolt to HDMI cable. I'll try DP next time I get a chance.

 

[polyphenol]

Like others, I've had problems with flickering on my external screens since I bought my M1 mini. I've been using HDMI cables of various types (HDMI to HDMI, USBC to HDMI) and tried various settings (HDMI 2.x etc) but the problem persisted.

I just bought a USBC to DisplayPort cable and the flickering seems to have gone! Before the problem occurred even when doing things like opening some screens in system preferences, or - often - when watching videos especially in full screen.

It doesn't seem to happen anymore. Fingers crossed..... It really looks like HDMI on M1 Macs isn't working 100% reliably (I've had other problems with kernel panics that I was able to link to HDMI as well).

Are you having this problem? If yes how are your screens connected to the Mac?

My Mac Mini M1 is connected using USB-C at both ends.

The monitor has other things plugged into its HDMI and DisplayPort sockets - so I have not tried those options. I've not noticed flickering on anything, since setting it up.

Monitor is a Dell P2720DC.

 

[VitoBotta]

I have the flickering when using my M1 MBA in clamshell mode, and yes, I'm attached via Thunderbolt to HDMI cable. I'll try DP next time I get a chance.

Would be interesting to know if it works for you too.

My Mac Mini M1 is connected using USB-C at both ends.

The monitor has other things plugged into its HDMI and DisplayPort sockets - so I have not tried those options. I've not noticed flickering on anything, since setting it up.

Monitor is a Dell P2720DC.

USB-C to USB-C I think it's DisplayPort on the display side isn't it?

 

[polyphenol]

Would be interesting to know if it works for you too.




USB-C to USB-C I think it's DisplayPort on the display side isn't it?

No - my monitor has USB-C input (and output - it can charge something connected at something like 30W).

(Unless you are talking about what happens to signals on wires - where I confess I have no idea!)

 

[VitoBotta]

No - my monitor has USB-C input (and output - it can charge something connected at something like 30W).

(Unless you are talking about what happens to signals on wires - where I confess I have no idea!)

OK, good to know. I had the impression that USB-C connectors on the display side were DisplayPort but maybe I'm wrong

 

[polyphenol]

OK, good to know. I had the impression that USB-C connectors on the display side were DisplayPort but maybe I'm wrong

The product page is here:

PC Accessories and Peripherals

Shop Dell's wide selection of high-quality PC accessories like keyboards, mice, webcams, batteries and more, tailored for your home or business needs. Enjoy great deals and free shipping!

www.dell.com

It is 65W charging capability. About halfway down that linked page, it has a diagram showing connections.

You are right that it is relatively unusual. When I got it, I wanted to be able to permanently connect a Dell PC (HDMI or DisplayPort) and then also connect my Surface - and charge it while in use.

 

[VitoBotta]

The product page is here:

PC Accessories and Peripherals

Shop Dell's wide selection of high-quality PC accessories like keyboards, mice, webcams, batteries and more, tailored for your home or business needs. Enjoy great deals and free shipping!

www.dell.com

It is 65W charging capability. About halfway down that linked page, it has a diagram showing connections.

You are right that it is relatively unusual. When I got it, I wanted to be able to permanently connect a Dell PC (HDMI or DisplayPort) and then also connect my Surface - and charge it while in use.

Awesome that you can even charge other stuff from it

 

[VitoBotta]

I spoke too soon. It still happens sometimes, especially in Safari when there is dark background. For example it happens if I open Indie Hacker's website in Safari, but not in e.g. Edge. So annoying.

 

[VitoBotta]

"Maybe I solved" v2.0

I found mentions from other people that the true tone might be causing this problem. I can't find a setting for this but I saw that there are two display profiles for my BenQ monitor, one called "BenQ EL2870U" which was selected by default, and another one called "SD 170M-A". If I select the second one the flickering disappears, and comes back if I select the BenQ profile again. Visually there doesn't seem to be any difference. I wonder if the BenQ profile has true tone enabled?

 

[bobcomer]

Would be interesting to know if it works for you too.

I finally had time to switch to DP, and yes, it's MUCH better. The screen seems to flash occasionally, but the interference is gone.

 

[bobcomer]

I finally had time to switch to DP, and yes, it's MUCH better. The screen seems to flash occasionally, but the interference is gone.

I spoke too soon, it's back.

 

[VitoBotta]

I spoke too soon, it's back.

Can you try disabling true tone or selecting a different color profile?

 

[bobcomer]

Can you try disabling true tone or selecting a different color profile?

I don't think my monitor is up to that. True tone is not an option and I only have 1 profile for the external monitor. (It's just a 4K monitor, not UHD)

 

[VitoBotta]

I don't think my monitor is up to that. True tone is not an option and I only have 1 profile for the external monitor. (It's just a 4K monitor, not UHD)

Unselect "Show profiles for this display only" and try another. Seems to work for me

 

[bobcomer]

Unselect "Show profiles for this display only" and try another. Seems to work for me

I'm trying it, so far so good, but in the past it came and went...

 

[TrancyGoose]

Been suffering with this with my BenQ monitor. BenQ even published a guide, nothing seems to work, i wonder if Apple is doing anything about it, as BenQ is actively blaming them in support tickets and on the Help Center article:

LCD Monitors, Projectors, Speakers and Lighting

BenQ offers products and deals information on our worldwide renowned LCD monitors, home projectors, and LED lamps that bring quality and enjoyment tLCD Monitors, Projectors, Speakers and Lightingo your life.

www.benq.eu

 

[Zest28]

Been suffering with this with my BenQ monitor. BenQ even published a guide, nothing seems to work, i wonder if Apple is doing anything about it, as BenQ is actively blaming them in support tickets and on the Help Center article:

LCD Monitors, Projectors, Speakers and Lighting

BenQ offers products and deals information on our worldwide renowned LCD monitors, home projectors, and LED lamps that bring quality and enjoyment tLCD Monitors, Projectors, Speakers and Lightingo your life.

www.benq.eu

My M2 MBA works fine on the Apple Studio Display. So looks like a BenQ problem to me.

 

[bobcomer]

Been suffering with this with my BenQ monitor. BenQ even published a guide, nothing seems to work, i wonder if Apple is doing anything about it, as BenQ is actively blaming them in support tickets and on the Help Center article:

LCD Monitors, Projectors, Speakers and Lighting

BenQ offers products and deals information on our worldwide renowned LCD monitors, home projectors, and LED lamps that bring quality and enjoyment tLCD Monitors, Projectors, Speakers and Lightingo your life.

www.benq.eu

My 32" LG (4K) monitor does the same with my Mac Studio, but only occasionally. Yesterday was particularly bad.

The same monitor on a Windows PC has no problems.

 

[TrancyGoose]

My M2 MBA works fine on the Apple Studio Display. So looks like a BenQ problem to me.

no it's not....reported across several brands ....i thought so too, and went absolutely ******* on BenQ, but turned out i wasn't alone in this ....

 

[senttoschool]

Been suffering with this with my BenQ monitor. BenQ even published a guide, nothing seems to work, i wonder if Apple is doing anything about it, as BenQ is actively blaming them in support tickets and on the Help Center article:

LCD Monitors, Projectors, Speakers and Lighting

BenQ offers products and deals information on our worldwide renowned LCD monitors, home projectors, and LED lamps that bring quality and enjoyment tLCD Monitors, Projectors, Speakers and Lightingo your life.

www.benq.eu

I also have a BenQ and have the flickering problem. The fix for me is to enable HDR for the external BenQ monitor in the macOS display settings. Flicker goes away immediately.

However, the problem for me is that macOS does not remember the HDR setting which means I have to frequently enable it.

 

[Ethosik]

My entire display doesn’t flicker, but the latest Ventura update made my notifications flicker in some scenarios.

 

[jungleghost]

I don't think my monitor is up to that. True tone is not an option and I only have 1 profile for the external monitor. (It's just a 4K monitor, not UHD)

4K = UHD.

 

[TrancyGoose]

Ok so, since Mac OS 13.2 been using my BenQ via a TB port, believe it or not, not a single flicker ......Will keep monitoring, I am off work for couple of weeks, so will be using my personal Apple Silicon laptop more now, keep it plugged in. For now, an encouraging sign. And let me tell you, before, flickering started almost instantly in my case, ent on about 20 mins, then went away, then came randomly, i stopped using external screen with an apple silicon mac, just used it with work laptop. Fingers crossed.

 

[Paddington0315]

I had the same issue with G27e-20 Lenovo monitor and M2 Macbook pro and I solved the issue by changing the setting. My current setting is as below:

=== M2 Setting ===
Refresh rate: 60Hz
=== Monitor Setting ===
sRGB: True -> I think this was the crucial point that resolved the issue for me.

Hope this helps others.