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The African

macrumors newbie
Original poster
I notice a glitch on my M1 MacBook Pro 2021. It doesn't matter whether it is connected to an external display, or directly using the inbuilt display, the effects are the same. I notice it almost consistently whenever I search for an application after clicking on the Apps button. Safari browser also sometimes displays the glitch although this is inconsistent and unpredictable. The effect does not recover under Safari, however, because it needs me to fully quit (cmd-q) Safari and reopen otherwise the entire web page is rendered as one complete black (sometimes pinkish) box. Affinity Photo 2 does give the glitch and so does Apple Photos. What could the issue here be? How do I remedy it?

I have attached a photo of the glitch. I wanted to attach a video but MacRumors website kept saying "We ran into a problem."

If I may attempt to describe what I see, the colourful boxes and bars keep jumping all over the place. They are not static on one position as the picture may imply. They however appear only within the bounds of the pop-up dialog in this case; they do not spread all over the screen. The same is observed whenever they appear in Safari - they appear only within the bounds of the application or dialog currently in focus.



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I'd suspect a hardware fault. Take it to an Apple Store or other authorised repair shop for diagnosis.

The fix is likely to be "replace the logic board" (because that's the only thing you can replace!); so you might just want to get the diagnosis, and save the money towards a new one.
 
benwiggy gives the best advice.

If it's happening on BOTH internal AND external displays, then it's likely a problem with the motherboard/CPU graphics (and not "in" the physical display panel itself).

At 4-5 years old, it may not be worth it at this point to replace the motherboard...
 
Your wording "whether it is connected to an external display" kinda answers this, but to be sure: have you also disconnected the cable? I've run into weird electrical glitches due to cables shorting and the display controller being confused.
 
Your wording "whether it is connected to an external display" kinda answers this, but to be sure: have you also disconnected the cable? I've run into weird electrical glitches due to cables shorting and the display controller being confused.
I have tried different cables, apple thunderbolt as well as one from caldigit. No difference
 
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