M1 iMac Owners Complain About Horizontal Lines Appearing on Screen

[rinjou]

Meanwhile my 2008 iMac running Linux Mint works perfectly, using it for daily tasks and video streaming. Never experienced any problems. It's almost two decades old and works without issues. Turns out, I have saved thousands of dollars by NOT buying the latest and greatest. Apple don't want people to know that they no longer make quality products, but they certainly know how to ever-increase their product pricing.

 

[headlessmike]

Meanwhile my 2008 iMac running Linux Mint works perfectly, using it for daily tasks and video streaming. Never experienced any problems. It's almost two decades old and works without issues. Turns out, I have saved thousands of dollars by NOT buying the latest and greatest. Apple don't want people to know that they no longer make quality products, but they certainly know how to ever-increase their product pricing.

I'm not trying to defend Apple here, but plenty of 2008 Macs had GPU failures early in their life. I'm glad your machine is still running strong but it's not like Macs of that era were any better than today's.

 

[HoundTT]

I genuinely hope Apple addresses this issue through their Apple Service Program. When I visited an Apple Authorized Service Provider in my country, I was quoted over USD 1,000 for the repair because they said the entire display needed to be replaced, not just the display cable.

 

[Jay Tee]

Interesting because I have this same iMac, but no issues thus far. I do have Apple Care + which will last me until early 2026 though. So I have that going for me lol

My AppleCare coverage expired on November 3rd, two days ago. This is what happend today. Apple's Agreements Team refuses to cover me. Heartbroken.

 

[HoundTT]

I agree. At the price quoted to me for a screen replacement, I could get a used or renewed unit on eBay.

 

[Jay Tee]

My AppleCare coverage expired on November 3rd, two days ago. This is what happend today. Heartbroken.

I’ve got some great news! Apple has agreed to cover me.

Their Agreements Team initially tried to back out, but when I escalated the matter to a Senior Advisor, he took more notes and built a strong case for me. He spent a couple of hours but managed to get the powers that be to approve my coverage this time. It all came down to the fault occurring so shortly after my AppleCare expired.

Earlier today, I got a call from my Authorized Repair Centre, who confirmed that the problem was indeed caused by the display itself, not any other component. They’ve ordered the necessary part(s), and I’ll have my iMac back in about a week or two.

I’m so relieved that Apple stepped up to take responsibility and kept themselves in good standing with me. Honestly, I’ve invested a lot in their ecosystem, and I expected them to value my loyalty. It was a real shock to be abandoned so suddenly at the beginning.

I only hope they do a good job and get it fixed once and for all.

 

[HoundTT]

I’ve got some great news! Apple has agreed to cover me.

Great to hear you've made some progress! Unfortunately, my screen developed lines just six months after the three-year AppleCare coverage would have ended, so even if I had purchased it, it likely wouldn’t have helped.

I really hope the replacement addresses the root cause of this issue; otherwise, it’s only a matter of time before it happens again. It’s frustrating that Apple won’t acknowledge the problem, leaving M3 or M4 iMac users uncertain about whether they might face the same ordeal. Interestingly, when you go through their trade-in process online, one of the assessment questions asks if the screen has lines, and answering "yes" reduces the trade-in value by about $200. This suggests they’re aware of the issue, yet they charge users like us four to five times that amount to get it fixed!

 

[Jay Tee]

I really hope the replacement addresses the root cause of this issue; otherwise, it’s only a matter of time before it happens again. It’s frustrating that Apple won’t acknowledge the problem, leaving M3 or M4 iMac users uncertain about whether they might face the same ordeal. Interestingly, when you go through their trade-in process online, one of the assessment questions asks if the screen has lines, and answering "yes" reduces the trade-in value by about $200. This suggests they’re aware of the issue, yet they charge users like us four to five times that amount to get it fixed!

I received my iMac back today. They replaced the display with a new one; 90 days warranty.


IF anyone wants a gander at the technician's report:



My faith in Apple is restored: AppleCare is worth it. I expected to get five years out of this machine, and Apple should have done a better job, but thank goodness for AppleCare.

 

[ZebedeeG]

I received my iMac back today. They replaced the display with a new one; 90 days warranty.View attachment 2451959


IF anyone wants a gander at the technician's report:

View attachment 2451961

My faith in Apple is restored: AppleCare is worth it. I expected to get five years out of this machine, and Apple should have done a better job, but thank goodness for AppleCare.

Your cat looks happy too! 😻

 

[HoundTT]

I didn't receive a detailed technician's report when I visited my local Apple Authorized Service Provider. The invoice for the diagnostic simply stated:

• Diagnosed faulty display assembly. To be processed as Out-Of-Warranty repair.

I’m losing confidence in Apple because there’s no assurance that if I pay the steep cost for a screen replacement, it won’t fail again in two or three years. For context, I still have a 2012 Intel-based iMac that’s working flawlessly. That’s the level of longevity I expect from Apple products. Even when I faced an issue with it a few years ago, the repair cost was modest compared to what I'm being quoted for this screen replacement.

 

[Jay Tee]

I didn't receive a detailed technician's report when I visited my local Apple Authorized Service Provider. The invoice for the diagnostic simply stated:

• Diagnosed faulty display assembly. To be processed as Out-Of-Warranty repair.

I’m losing confidence in Apple because there’s no assurance that if I pay the steep cost for a screen replacement, it won’t fail again in two or three years. For context, I still have a 2012 Intel-based iMac that’s working flawlessly. That’s the level of longevity I expect from Apple products. Even when I faced an issue with it a few years ago, the repair cost was modest compared to what I'm being quoted for this screen replacement.

Which country are you in; maybe there are some alternatives we could suggest for getting better support ?

 

[HoundTT]

Which country are you in; maybe there are some alternatives we could suggest for getting better support ?

Thank you for the offer. I'm based in Trinidad and Tobago, so unless there's an update to Apple's Service Programs listed on their website, I don't see how my iMac can be repaired without incurring nearly USD 1,000 in costs.

 

[Jay Tee]

Thank you for the offer. I'm based in Trinidad and Tobago, so unless there's an update to Apple's Service Programs listed on their website, I don't see how my iMac can be repaired without incurring nearly USD 1,000 in costs.

Now I understand your situation: it's a bit of a Catch-22.

 

[pasandor]

Which country are you in; maybe there are some alternatives we could suggest for getting better support ?

Hi @Jay Tee I'm out of warranty, and in a country (Chile) where there's no official Apple Store, but a couple of Apple Authorized service center.
My iMac is out off warranty and no Apple Care, I tried taking to support over chat, but with no luck on it.
What do you suggest?

 

[HoundTT]

Hi @Jay Tee I'm out of warranty, and in a country (Chile) where there's no official Apple Store, but a couple of Apple Authorized service center.
My iMac is out off warranty and no Apple Care, I tried taking to support over chat, but with no luck on it.
What do you suggest?

Guys, as an update I was able to get Apple Support to grant me a free display replacement. I posted a full update on the interaction here: tiny.cc/5spyzz. It may be a strategy you can try on your own.

 

[redfirebird08]

I'm not trying to defend Apple here, but plenty of 2008 Macs had GPU failures early in their life. I'm glad your machine is still running strong but it's not like Macs of that era were any better than today's.

Can confirm this. MacBook storage drive crapped out on me in 2008 after maybe 18 months of ownership. I've been pretty lucky since then with various Apple devices.

 

[Jay Tee]

Hi @Jay Tee I'm out of warranty, and in a country (Chile) where there's no official Apple Store, but a couple of Apple Authorized service center.
My iMac is out off warranty and no Apple Care, I tried taking to support over chat, but with no luck on it.
What do you suggest?

If you're in a country where AppleCare isn't offered, I recommend taking HoundTT's lead.

It sounds like escalating to a Senior Advisor might be necessary when you contact Apple. Be sure to be polite and cooperative when explaining the situation – that usually helps! It's definitely a plus that you have an Apple Authorized Service Center nearby.

You could also mention how disappointing it is that AppleCare isn't available in Chile, or that you aren't able to extend it for your iMac.

 

[iEB]

I keep looking for reports of this issue affecting M3 iMacs. Too early to tell likely. I am afraid to play games on my 12 months old M3 iMac now.

 

[ra.skill]

As of today, I am also having this problem :-(
2021, 24" M1 iMac, bought on launch.
Has been an incredible computer up until this, very upset

 

[Robert33455]

Same problem since 3 day with my M1 Imac. Apple Store told me, the only solution is a new display for 800€. That iMac is for the trash now. I'm very disappointed.

 

[derek1984]

No issues yet with my M1. Have AppleCare until March 2026, which I may extend if I can, just to be safe.

 

[RevVale]

Same problem since 3 day with my M1 Imac. Apple Store told me, the only solution is a new display for 800€. That iMac is for the trash now. I'm very disappointed.

Had this problem with a 24" M1 IMac - had to have a new screen - over £600 - lots of people having the same issue but no acknowledgement from Apple - Have used Apple products ever since my first computer 30 years ago and until this all te products have been exceptionally good - but I'm afraid my loyalty is now ended - when any of my Apple products fail from now on they will be replaced with Windows or Android.

 

[Adora]

Had this problem with a 24" M1 IMac - had to have a new screen - over £600 - lots of people having the same issue but no acknowledgement from Apple - Have used Apple products ever since my first computer 30 years ago and until this all the products have been exceptionally good - but I'm afraid my loyalty is now ended - when any of my Apple products fail from now on they will be replaced with Windows or Android.

Mine has ended with the 2017 16" MBP. And now I have three newer Macs. 🙈

I hope enough people are complaining about this not only to some random support or store person. There might be a chance for a free replacement program then.

I'll connect my M3 soon again and hope it isn't affected too anytime.

 

[Retroworldnews]

Just to confirm, this issue is affecting only M1-based iMacs, while M2 and M3 iMacs remain unaffected. Is that correct?

My is m3 TODAY suddenly lines appear.....

I'm not sure about the M3 since no one has taken it apart to compare the components. For the M1, I have zero confidence many will last 3-5 years. Sooner or later it will fail since it doesn't look like a component defect, but rather a design defect.

M3 also have this problem.....suddenly for me after using for one year +

I’ve got some great news! Apple has agreed to cover me.

Their Agreements Team initially tried to back out, but when I escalated the matter to a Senior Advisor, he took more notes and built a strong case for me. He spent a couple of hours but managed to get the powers that be to approve my coverage this time. It all came down to the fault occurring so shortly after my AppleCare expired.

Earlier today, I got a call from my Authorized Repair Centre, who confirmed that the problem was indeed caused by the display itself, not any other component. They’ve ordered the necessary part(s), and I’ll have my iMac back in about a week or two.

I’m so relieved that Apple stepped up to take responsibility and kept themselves in good standing with me. Honestly, I’ve invested a lot in their ecosystem, and I expected them to value my loyalty. It was a real shock to be abandoned so suddenly at the beginning.

I only hope they do a good job and get it fixed once and for all.

your case like mine. My M3 bought in 2024 I think or 2023 suddenly today got these lines appear at the bottom of the screen. I was......

Problem with iMac you need to bring it to the physical store how you get around? I don't own a car even harder. I carry before iMac go fix before but is 3rd party is a tiring experience...

for me obviously warrenty also over as mention I used for one year + suddenly this lines appear at the bottom,,,,

 

[Retroworldnews]

As of today, I am also having this problem :-(
2021, 24" M1 iMac, bought on launch.
Has been an incredible computer up until this, very upset

so now you just using it despite got lines there?