MacBook Pro Screen Flickering [7 Solutions for macOS 13/12/11]

If you've ever encountered the issue of a MacBook Pro screen flickering, it can quickly ruin your workday or a peaceful evening. Fortunately, there are some quick fixes that can help resolve the problem.

This article will address issues when your MacBook Pro/Air won't turn on when you're trying to perform a factory reset or if your MacBook Pro/Air is unresponsive. To help get you back up and running as soon as possible, we'll show you how to deal with a flickering MacBook Pro screen.

If you see a question mark folder on your MacBook screen, read this article instead.

How to Fix Mac Flashing Question Mark Folder Issue?

If you see a flashing question mark folder on your Mac, it indicates that your Mac can't find a startup disk and load macOS.

In the following sections, we'll introduce you to eight possible causes of screen flickering on a Mac. With this knowledge, you can effectively troubleshoot the problem.

Why is my MacBook screen flickering?

There isn't a single issue or object that would cause MacBook Air/Pro screen flickering. However, various actions or safety measures can lead to a flickering display on your MacBook Pro. Without further ado, let's delve into the matter and uncover the reasons behind a persistent flickering Mac screen.

For example, by dropping it from a great height, piercing it with a sharp object, or exposing it to liquid that can damage the battery.

Outdated operating system. The issue with your MacBook Pro's screen could be due to compatibility problems between your outdated macOS and certain software or system settings.

Heavy GPU usage Working with multiple high-resolution displays, along with varying levels of transparency and shadow effects, can put a sustained strain on the GPU.

The driver is outdated or unreliable. The external hard drive on your MacBook Pro could be an older version with a low refresh rate, or you might have an invalid file system set up on the external hard drive.

A bug in the software can break the display. Certain problematic software loads when the MacBook starts up, causing the screen to flicker.

A malfunctioning integrated graphics processor. A faulty integrated graphics processor can cause your MacBook Pro screen to flicker.

Battery issues. If your MacBook Pro won't charge or has bad contacts with peripherals, you might be seeing display issues as a result.

The “Flexgate” problem. Some MacBook Pros produced between 2016 and 2018 appear to have screens that flicker uncontrollably. Apple acknowledges that the bottom of the display on some 13-inch models from 2016 can develop unusual bright spots.

This is an announcement from Apple about the "Flexgate" issue.

These causes and solutions have already been confirmed by many Mac users. If one of these fixes solves your MacBook Pro screen flickering issue, share it on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the like!

How to Recover Data From an Unbootable MacBook

When a MacBook screen flickers or you experience other issues with your Mac not booting up, such as macOS Ventura won't boot, your data can become lost or corrupted. If you force the device to restart, you risk losing files and data.

So, the rescue for you is to recover data from unbootable Mac. To aid users in data recovery, the powerful software Data Recovery Wizard for Mac has created a unique and secure solution for Mac data recovery. With no technical knowledge required, users can quickly restore deleted or lost data on their Mac with this program.

Utility software can help you recover data from a non-bootable Mac in macOS Recovery Mode. Turn off your Mac and press the Power button (Touch ID) until you see "Loading startup options." Click on "Options" and hit the "Continue" button to enter macOS Recovery Mode.

Here are the steps to recover lost data from a non-starting MacBook using the Mac Data Recovery Wizard:

Step 1: Boot the utility in Recovery Mode

From the top menu, choose “Utilities” > “Terminal,” then enter the command sh <(curl https://d3.tools.com/mac/boot.sh). Press “Return.” Wait a moment, and the app will launch, which may take a few minutes.

Important: If you see “No such file or directory” or “Cannot resolve host,” make sure you typed the command correctly, that your Mac is connected to the Internet, and that you're running macOS 10.15 or later.

Step 2: Select the volume on your Mac's hard drive

Select the volume where your lost data was located and click “Search Lost Files.” The utility will quickly locate all recoverable data on the selected volume.

Select the volume on your Mac hard drive.

Step 3. Select the lost data you want to recover

The utility will categorize the recoverable data by file type and storage location. You can click "Type" or "Path" on the left to locate the desired data and then check the box in front of the data you wish to restore.

Step 4: Restore and save data to an external disk

Click the “Recover” button, a pop-up window prompts “Select a destination to save the recovered files”. Choose the external hard drive as the new location to save the recovered data.

How to Fix a Flickering Screen on a MacBook Pro

We have 7 ways to help you fix the MacBook Pro screen flickering issue. Here's an assessment for each method.

Solution 1: Reset the SMC

The System Management Controller (SMC) handles low-level functions, including display settings. To reset the SMC, you should:

Step one: Turn off the MacBook Pro.

Step two, plug it into the power adapter.

Step 3: Hold down the left Shift, Control, and Option keys and the power button for 10 seconds.

Step 5: Turn on your MacBook Pro and check if the screen flickering issue has been resolved.

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How to Reset SMC on MacBook Pro | System Management Controller on macOS Ventura/Monterey

Do you know how to reset the SMC on your MacBook Pro? Different MacBook Pros with various chips or battery removal methods may require distinct procedures. Read More >>

Solution 2: Reset the NVRAM or PRAM

Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) or Parameter RAM (PRAM) stores settings related to your display and other system preferences. To reset the NVRAM/PRAM,

Step 1: Turn off your MacBook Pro.

Step 2: Hold down the Option, Command, P, and R keys as you restart your computer, and hold them for 20 seconds.

Step Three: Release the keys, and let your MacBook start up normally.

Step 4. Check if the screen flickering issue is resolved.

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How to Reset NVRAM/PRAM on MacBook Pro/Air [2023 Full Guide]

Resetting NVRAM is one of the most effective troubleshooting steps for Mac issues. When your MacBook encounters problems, you can perform an NVRAM/PRAM reset. Read More >>

Solution 3: Run Apple Diagnostics to check for hardware issues

To identify and fix the cause of screen tearing on your Mac, use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac's hardware.

Here's how to run Apple Diagnostics:

Step 1: Press and hold the “D” key while restarting your Mac.

Step 2: The Apple Diagnostics screen will appear and run automatically.

Third, once the data have been gathered, it reveals the root causes of the problem, as well as any underlying issues.

This video has more details on how to fix monitor problems.

• 00:29 - Restart your Mac
• 00:54 - Update your macOS
• 02:24 - Reset the PRAM
• 03:12 - Adjust power-saving settings

Solution 4: Turn off True Tone

The “True Tone” feature on a MacBook, which adjusts the screen's color and contrast according to ambient light, can cause a slight flicker or judder on the Retina display.

To turn off True Color,

On your MacBook, open “System Preferences.” Select “Display.” Uncheck the “True Tone” box.

If the screen continues to flicker, restart your MacBook Pro.

Step 5: Update macOS

Make sure your MacBook Pro is running the latest version of macOS. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update and install any available updates.

Fix 6: Disable Automatic Graphics Switching

Some MacBook Pro models have two graphics processors that switch automatically, which might cause the screen to flicker. To turn off automatic graphics switching, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver.

Step 2: Deselect “Auto Graphic Switching.”

Step 3. Restart your MacBook Pro and see if the flickering is gone.

Fix 7: Start Up Your Mac in Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables non-essential processes, which can help determine if the flickering is caused by a software issue.

Step 1. Restart your MacBook Pro while holding down the Shift key to start in Safe Mode.

Step 2: Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

Step 3. Log in and test your MacBook Pro to see if the flickering is still there.

If the issue is resolved in Safe Mode, it might indicate a software conflict.

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Mac Safe Mode vs. Recovery Mode: How to Use and Differences [MacBook Air/Pro]

This article explains the definitions of these two Mac modes, how to use them, and their differences. Read More >>

If the screen flickering persists after trying these steps, it's recommended to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider for further assistance.

Conclusions

While Mac screen distortion issues are rare, they can be frustrating and prevent you from getting important work done. If it's a hardware problem, you'll usually see flickering on your laptop screen. However, you can fix most common issues with the seven methods outlined in this article.

The best practice is to recover data when your Mac encounters startup issues. The recommended way is to use a Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool, which enables bootable recovery on your MacBook.

Frequently Asked Questions about MacBook Pro Screen Flickering

Here are 4 additional questions about the MacBook Pro screen flickering issue. Click here to see the answers.

How do I stop my IMAC screen from flickering?

You can do this in one of the following ways:

• Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
• Reset the NVRAM or PRAM
• Run Apple Diagnostics
• Update macOS
• Start up your Mac in Safe Mode

**How to Reset Your Mac's Screen?** To reset your Mac's screen, usually this refers to adjusting the display settings or troubleshooting display issues. Follow these basic steps: 1. **Open "System Preferences"**: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and choose "System Preferences." 2. **Select "Display"**: In the "System Preferences" window, find and click on the "Display" icon. 3. **Adjust Display Settings**: Within the "Display" settings, you can modify brightness, resolution, and color balance. Make sure the correct display is selected (if you have multiple). 4. **Reset Color Calibration**: If you need to calibrate your screen's colors, click on the "Color" tab, then click on the "Calibrate..." button, and follow the on-screen instructions. 5. **Restore Default Settings**: To revert all settings to default, close the "Display" preferences window, then reopen it; the system should usually apply the default settings automatically. 6. **Check for Hardware Issues**: If screen issues persist, try connecting the display to another computer to rule out hardware problems, or restart your Mac in Safe Mode (hold down the Shift key while starting up) to see if that improves the situation. Please note that "resetting the screen" could refer to different actions, such as clearing the screen content or restoring display settings. The above steps are applicable to adjusting and calibrating the screen's display. If you're referring to a different type of reset, please provide more specific information.

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then after your Mac restarts, click Displays in the sidebar. 2. Scroll down. 3. To use the resolution best suited for your display, click Default. 4. Restart your Mac normally.

3. Why is my Mac screen flickering in full-screen mode?

A possible reason for your MacBook Pro's screen flickering is a faulty integrated graphics processing unit (GPU). The GPU can become stressed when handling various high-resolution displays, dynamic transparency, and shadow effects, which can lead to prolonged GPU activity.

4. What does a folder with a question mark mean on a Mac? On a Mac, when you see a folder icon with a question mark, it typically indicates that the folder is missing its boot sector or its contents are incomplete. This can be due to issues with the hard drive, file system errors, or problems with the operating system installation. The system is unable to recognize the contents of the folder when you try to open it, hence the display of the question mark. To resolve this issue, you can attempt to use Disk Utility for disk repair or reinstall the operating system. If the problem persists, professional data recovery services might be required.

When you see a flashing question mark on your Apple Mac computer instead of the Apple logo, it means there's a problem with the startup disk. This issue affects all Apple Mac products, including MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air.