Flickering vertical lines on M1 Mac Mini

[Giantantattack]

I recently purchased an Intel Mac Mini (running 10.15.7), but after seeing all the positive reviews of the M1 quickly decided to go with the M1 instead. I just received my M1 (running 11.1) a couple days ago and I have noticed that there are very noticeable flickering vertical lines all over the screen, particularly in areas with transparency and darker backgrounds. This picture shows the lines, and in real time the darker and lighter lines alternate, making the screen appear to have a vertical texture in places.

I've set up the Intel Mini with an identical monitor and identical HDMI cable, and the flickering either doesn't happen or is too fast to be perceptible, making me think this might be a refresh rate issue. However, both machines are set to the same display settings (1080p, 60Hz).

It's not clear to me whether this is a hardware issue with the M1 Mini or a software issue with Big Sur. Is anyone else having a similar experience? Really loving the M1, but the flickering is starting to get really bothersome while using certain applications that involve large spaces of what should be a matte color background.

 

[mikeadams198512]

ive just noticed this too. any ideas?

 

[rasputin666]

I recently purchased an Intel Mac Mini (running 10.15.7), but after seeing all the positive reviews of the M1 quickly decided to go with the M1 instead. I just received my M1 (running 11.1) a couple days ago and I have noticed that there are very noticeable flickering vertical lines all over the screen, particularly in areas with transparency and darker backgrounds. This picture shows the lines, and in real time the darker and lighter lines alternate, making the screen appear to have a vertical texture in places.

View attachment 1714221

I've set up the Intel Mini with an identical monitor and identical HDMI cable, and the flickering either doesn't happen or is too fast to be perceptible, making me think this might be a refresh rate issue. However, both machines are set to the same display settings (1080p, 60Hz).

It's not clear to me whether this is a hardware issue with the M1 Mini or a software issue with Big Sur. Is anyone else having a similar experience? Really loving the M1, but the flickering is starting to get really bothersome while using certain applications that involve large spaces of what should be a matte color background.

i usually attack the cable connections and the cable itself but it sounds like you've done that. My main point was to say that I just received my M1 Mini yesterday and have not had that issue but will come back and post if i run into something similar. I have it connected to my Dell 49" via USB-C and zero issues so far

 

[Garry Mac]

I'm getting a similar issue with my new M1 Mac mini with a new LG 5k display. So not sure which is at fault just yet.
My issue is an odd one, a 5cm wide rectangle section of the screen running from top to bottom has shifted up a few pixels. It seems to happen after a few hours, and I'm not sure if it's after being on standby or not yet.
A reboot doesn't resolve, but a shutdown does.
Anybody seen this before?
Stripey image to illustrate!

 

[shaneukcouk]

exactly the same issue here with a BENQ EL2870U , M1 Mac mini 8GB , 256GB Here is what I and apple support have tried so far:

it happens the most on viewing this image: https://unsplash.com/photos/kp7ENPlp8no I get vertical lines and shimmering as I scroll down

1) 3x Different HDMI cables
2) Safe mode
3) Recovery mode with safari
4) Switch Res X different refresh modes 30hz, 50hz all show the same issue only less.

Also tried another Ben Q monitor of the same model and the same thing happens.

Things left to try:

1) USB C to Displayport cable (arrives tomorrow)
2) Removing the earth from the monitor with a modified plug (doubt its this but I don't recommend trying it if you do not know what you are doing) since the Mac mini has no ground and the monitor does this could be some kind of grounding issue.

I think its a bad GPU on the SOC.

 

[shaneukcouk]

@Garry Mac , what did you end doing to fix the issue? New Mac mini? LG 5K is the display apple use so I would expect that to be perfect compatible!

 

[decat]

Seems to be ok here, AOC Q2790PQU monitor.

 

[Garry Mac]

@shaneukcouk I believe the latest Big Sur update may have fixed the issue. I haven‘t experienced the problem since I’ve updated, but that’s only been a couple of days. So I will have to see how it goes.
I ran my Macbook Pro for a day on the LG 5k and had no issue, and also ran the Mac Mini on an older 1080P monitor for a day without issue, so it was something relating to the combination of the LG and Mac Mini.

Other than this odd issue I must add that I am really happy with both products.

 

[Falcon9]

I recently purchased an Intel Mac Mini (running 10.15.7), but after seeing all the positive reviews of the M1 quickly decided to go with the M1 instead. I just received my M1 (running 11.1) a couple days ago and I have noticed that there are very noticeable flickering vertical lines all over the screen, particularly in areas with transparency and darker backgrounds. This picture shows the lines, and in real time the darker and lighter lines alternate, making the screen appear to have a vertical texture in places.

View attachment 1714221

I've set up the Intel Mini with an identical monitor and identical HDMI cable, and the flickering either doesn't happen or is too fast to be perceptible, making me think this might be a refresh rate issue. However, both machines are set to the same display settings (1080p, 60Hz).

It's not clear to me whether this is a hardware issue with the M1 Mini or a software issue with Big Sur. Is anyone else having a similar experience? Really loving the M1, but the flickering is starting to get really bothersome while using certain applications that involve large spaces of what should be a matte color background.

I'm seeing pretty much the same thing as you show in your photo on an external monitor connected to my M1 MacBook Pro running 11.2.1 (the monitor is a 23"HP Pavilion (1920x1080) connected via HDMI with Apple's AV Digital Multiport adapter). Like you, it is most noticeable on darker backgrounds.

I was wondering if you have determined the cause and/or fix? Interestingly, when I connect my M1 Mac to my Samsung TV using the same adapter and HDMI cable I do not notice this issue. Both my monitor and the TV have the same resolution. Also, when I connect an Intel Mac to my monitor I do not see this issue.

 

[michaelonmac]

My M1 Air came today, same issues with flashing and vertical lines:

I have the additional bonus of the external screen refusing to sleep, instead turning off and then reappearing yellow .

4 hours on the phone to support and they have nothing other than "you're still eligible for a refund"

 

[therealRJP]

Also having this issue - M1 mini, 8gb 256gb. Vertical lines similar to the above photos with flickering that seems to brighten up and 'flash' before dimming back down, then repeating. Seems to be worse with dark images as well as with nightshift and dark mode turned on.

Apple support have suggested a fresh install of macOS, so I suppose it can't hurt to try. I just don't hold much hope for that given it seems to be a fairly widespread issue.

@shaneukcouk did the DP cable fix anything?

 

[michaelonmac]

Also having this issue - M1 mini, 8gb 256gb. Vertical lines similar to the above photos with flickering that seems to brighten up and 'flash' before dimming back down, then repeating. Seems to be worse with dark images as well as with nightshift and dark mode turned on.

Apple support have suggested a fresh install of macOS, so I suppose it can't hurt to try. I just don't hold much hope for that given it seems to be a fairly widespread issue.

@shaneukcouk did the DP cable fix anything?

I’ve got a call back with Apple later today, I know they’re going to try and blame the USB-C dock I’m using, but from everything I’ve read online, it doesn’t seem to matter the connection type.

There’s definitely a correlation with dark colours/themes being mixed with full colour images. Using WhatsApp in the browser with dark mode selected is where I first noted the issue.

Let me know if you have any luck reinstalling macOS.

Thanks

Michael

 

[therealRJP]

I’ve got a call back with Apple later today, I know they’re going to try and blame the USB-C dock I’m using, but from everything I’ve read online, it doesn’t seem to matter the connection type.

There’s definitely a correlation with dark colours/themes being mixed with full colour images. Using WhatsApp in the browser with dark mode selected is where I first noted the issue.

Let me know if you have any luck reinstalling macOS.

Thanks

Michael

No dice. Fresh install and the problem persists. I wasn't really expecting it to work.

How did the call back with Apple go?

 

[michaelonmac]

No dice. Fresh install and the problem persists. I wasn't really expecting it to work.

How did the call back with Apple go?

They took all the details, ran diagnoses applications on my machine/monitor and said they're escalating things with engineers. What that means, I'm not sure, I guess I'll wait to hear back from them and post any updates I get here.

 

[therealRJP]

They took all the details, ran diagnoses applications on my machine/monitor and said they're escalating things with engineers. What that means, I'm not sure, I guess I'll wait to hear back from them and post any updates I get here.

I was told mine needed to be sent in for repair. I argued that it was only 3 weeks old and wanted a replacement - they agreed and it arrives tomorrow. I'll post an update to whether it fixes anything or not..

 

[michaelonmac]

I was told mine needed to be sent in for repair. I argued that it was only 3 weeks old and wanted a replacement - they agreed and it arrives tomorrow. I'll post an update to whether it fixes anything or not..

You did the right thing there, doesn't seem right them opening up machines that have only just arrived.

Let me know if the replacement is any different, then I can look at sending mine back. Hope it does workout, fingers crossed!

 

[therealRJP]

You did the right thing there, doesn't seem right them opening up machines that have only just arrived.

Let me know if the replacement is any different, then I can look at sending mine back. Hope it does workout, fingers crossed!

Things looked good for a while with the replacement, however, I have just noticed the same issue once again. This leads me to believe it has to be something OS related.

I'll get back on to Apple Support to see what they say...

 

[michaelonmac]

Things looked good for a while with the replacement, however, I have just noticed the same issue once again. This leads me to believe it has to be something OS related.

I'll get back on to Apple Support to see what they say...

That's a shame, sorry to hear the replacement didn't solve the issues. I'll keep posting here when/if Apple support get back to me regarding feedback from engineers.

 

[therealRJP]

That's a shame, sorry to hear the replacement didn't solve the issues. I'll keep posting here when/if Apple support get back to me regarding feedback from engineers.

I've just had a call back from Apple Support. They've told me they're aware of a number of issues surrounding the M1 and external display problems and that something is in the pipeline. They weren't able to give a timeframe for the fix but when pushed they did agree to extend my returns window to 2 months from purchase to allow me time to think/wait for a fix.

 

[michaelonmac]

I've just had a call back from Apple Support. They've told me they're aware of a number of issues surrounding the M1 and external display problems and that something is in the pipeline. They weren't able to give a timeframe for the fix but when pushed they did agree to extend my returns window to 2 months from purchase to allow me time to think/wait for a fix.

I'm glad they've told you it's an issue they're aware of, they didn't afford me the same comfort. Another positive with them extending the returns period, I'm going to try and push for that also, if they don't fix these issues, there's no way I'd be able to justify keeping it after spending so much.

Thanks for keeping me updated with your progress.

 

[principe]

Hello to everyone, Apple had just released Mac OS 11.2.2 that seems to had fixed the problem for me. Check it out if it is also true for you.

 

[michaelonmac]

Hello to everyone, Apple had just released Mac OS 11.2.2 that seems to had fixed the problem for me. Check it out if it is also true for you.

Didn’t work for me unfortunately, exactly the same.

 

[ryana1980]

I recently purchased an Intel Mac Mini (running 10.15.7), but after seeing all the positive reviews of the M1 quickly decided to go with the M1 instead. I just received my M1 (running 11.1) a couple days ago and I have noticed that there are very noticeable flickering vertical lines all over the screen, particularly in areas with transparency and darker backgrounds. This picture shows the lines, and in real time the darker and lighter lines alternate, making the screen appear to have a vertical texture in places.

View attachment 1714221

I've set up the Intel Mini with an identical monitor and identical HDMI cable, and the flickering either doesn't happen or is too fast to be perceptible, making me think this might be a refresh rate issue. However, both machines are set to the same display settings (1080p, 60Hz).

It's not clear to me whether this is a hardware issue with the M1 Mini or a software issue with Big Sur. Is anyone else having a similar experience? Really loving the M1, but the flickering is starting to get really bothersome while using certain applications that involve large spaces of what should be a matte color background.

I had this exact same issue on an M1 Mac mini. I was using the same monitor (an ASUS 1080p display) that I was using on a 2018 Mac mini that didn't display this issue. Sams Club was having a sale on an LG 4K monitor, and since my monitor was a few years old, I decided to upgrade. The new monitor looks great and doesn't have this issue. I thought maybe it had something to do with the higher resolution, so out of curiosity I hooked the M1 into a friend's 1080p display, and to my surprise it didn't have the flickering vertical lines. His monitor and my new monitor both have VA displays, and my old monitor has an IPS display. I don't know if that could have something to do with it. It could just be a coincidence, as I don't have any other IPS displays to test out. Anyway, to make this long story short, I had the issue, bought a new monitor, and no longer have the issue. Haha.

 

[michaelonmac]

I had this exact same issue on an M1 Mac mini. I was using the same monitor (an ASUS 1080p display) that I was using on a 2018 Mac mini that didn't display this issue. Sams Club was having a sale on an LG 4K monitor, and since my monitor was a few years old, I decided to upgrade. The new monitor looks great and doesn't have this issue. I thought maybe it had something to do with the higher resolution, so out of curiosity I hooked the M1 into a friend's 1080p display, and to my surprise it didn't have the flickering vertical lines. His monitor and my new monitor both have VA displays, and my old monitor has an IPS display. I don't know if that could have something to do with it. It could just be a coincidence, as I don't have any other IPS displays to test out. Anyway, to make this long story short, I had the issue, bought a new monitor, and no longer have the issue. Haha.

Thanks for adding your experiences, glad to hear your nee monitor works great.

I’d been thinking exactly the reverse, my new monitor is VA and displaying the issues, however my old IPS monitor doesn’t. It’s good to be able to rule out VA/IPS being the distinguishing factor with these bugs.

 

[ryana1980]

Yes, it's good to be able to rule that out. Such a strange issue.