Variable Refresh Rate (FreeSync / GSync) Flicker

[phrehdd]

I have a Benq PD2700U monitor that is neither freesynch or Gsynch capable. I get with my M1 Mini flicker at times. I may set the monitor to 60 hertz but somehow on its own it shifts to "40-60" rather than "60." I use a direct USB-C to mini-DisplayPort.

This started happening before with Monterey and now with the beta program as well.

 

[SenorWhyMe]

lol

so did you try the monitors internal menu to activate vrr

 

[CMMChris]

Read here and here...

 

[rlf613]

Has this been fixed yet?

 

[CMMChris]

macOS 12.3 aaaand.... still not fixed! Freaking insane!

 

[rlf613]

Incredible, after I had the shutdown issue with my 2013 MBP that Apple never acknowledged despite thousands of reports around the internet of it I thought it was an isolated incident. Now Apple won't even acknowledge or fix this issue which is relatively easy I assume (just persist the VRR off).

 

[pgharavi]

I have an LG C1 connected to my M1 2021 - I don't even get an option for VRR, despite the C1 supporting it.

Anyone know why that may be the case?

 

[Fravin]

My LG 35UN500 was fine in BigSur.

Now, it's freaking me out!!!

 

[CMMChris]

Just checked the state of Variable Refresh Rate on macOS 12.4 Developer Beta 1. Guess what.... still not fixed.

 

[DianaofThemiscyra]

I have a Benq PD2700U monitor that is neither freesynch or Gsynch capable. I get with my M1 Mini flicker at times. I may set the monitor to 60 hertz but somehow on its own it shifts to "40-60" rather than "60." I use a direct USB-C to mini-DisplayPort.

This started happening before with Monterey and now with the beta program as well.

Neither is my Philips PHL276E6, although it indeed let me choose among 3 modes (Standard, Internet, Gaming), In all three of them I have flickering with Monterey too. (Apple Silicon).

 

[CMMChris]

Monitors don't need to be FreeSync or GSync capable in order to utilize VRR. VRR is also implemented in recent HDMI and DisplayPort specs, so your screens (@phrehdd @DianaofThemiscyra) might just support that.

If macOS displays a "Variable" option in the display refresh rate drop-down, it recognized that your screen does support some kind of VRR.

 

[DianaofThemiscyra]

Monitors don't need to be FreeSync or GSync capable in order to utilize VRR. VRR is also implemented in recent HDMI and DisplayPort specs, so your screens (@phrehdd @DianaofThemiscyra) might just support that.

If macOS displays a "Variable" option in the display refresh rate drop-down, it recognized that your screen does support some kind of VRR.

Thanks for the info! It doesn't show this "variable" option in the display refresh rate drop-down. It shows as options either 50 or 60 Hertz, nothing more.

 

[CMMChris]

In this case, your flicker is caused by something else and not by Apple's faulty VRR implementation.

 

[DianaofThemiscyra]

In this case, your flicker is caused by something else and not by Apple's faulty VRR implementation.

Thanks for this info as well! I have no idea what it can be. I'm using the monitor through the HDMI port. The cable used is of good quality. I tried all modes possible, but somehow the flickering always comes back.

 

[CMMChris]

File Feedback with Apple at feedbackassistant.apple.com

 

[Fravin]

I tried all modes possible, but somehow the flickering always comes back.

Editing the plists files solved it by a couple of hours. Then, it came back.

Turning the Black Stabiliser seems to be working here. It's located under Game Settings on my LG display.

 

[DianaofThemiscyra]

File Feedback with Apple at feedbackassistant.apple.com

I will

 

[DianaofThemiscyra]

Editing the plists files solved it by a couple of hours. Then, it came back.

Turning the Black Stabiliser seems to be working here. It's located under Game Settings on my LG display.

I don't have those options on my Philips. I'll try to send an e-mail to Apple AND Philips and see what happens.

 

[phrehdd]

Monitors don't need to be FreeSync or GSync capable in order to utilize VRR. VRR is also implemented in recent HDMI and DisplayPort specs, so your screens (@phrehdd @DianaofThemiscyra) might just support that.

If macOS displays a "Variable" option in the display refresh rate drop-down, it recognized that your screen does support some kind of VRR.

I had MacOS before and it did not have the flicker issue nor did my monitor offer a variable rate. This is something of the last few months and on an M1 Mini. In fact, my monitor does not have a 40 at any level but goes from 60 to 50 to 30... This is something on the Mac side.

 

[CMMChris]

Support for Variable Refresh Rate has been introduced on Monterey. macOS did not support it before. If you set your screen to a fixed refresh rate, the flicker should disappear.

 

[phrehdd]

Support for Variable Refresh Rate has been introduced on Monterey. macOS did not support it before. If you set your screen to a fixed refresh rate, the flicker should disappear.

I set my monitor to 60 at least 5 times a day and then it sneaks back over to 40-60 on its own. There is nothing I can do about it other than manually switch it back. I know when it happens as my screen is flickery and seems not quite as bright.

 

[CMMChris]

Yeah settings are often reset after sleep. This is a bug present since the pre-release betas which Apple refuses to fix.

 

[Fravin]

I would like to say that the "turn Black Stabilizer off" has solved the issue so far on my LG 32UN500.

No need to re-edit the plists files anymore. No flickering neither!

 

[Fravin]

I set my monitor to 60 at least 5 times a day and then it sneaks back over to 40-60 on its own. There is nothing I can do about it other than manually switch it back. I know when it happens as my screen is flickery and seems not quite as bright.

Have you tried disabling it on your monitor menus?

In LG's it will be called FreeSync*.* under Games Settings.

 

[phrehdd]

Have you tried disabling it on your monitor menus?

In LG's it will be called FreeSync*.* under Games Settings.

Here is the catch. This is a monitor that has a spec of exactly 60hz. It is not a variable monitor. There is no Freesynch nor the alternative variable rate for gaming etc. Just - 60 hz. That is why it is very odd this happens. It didn't happen before the M1 / Monterey.