MacBook Pro Touchbar Flashes Bright White Square when Idle

[UnforsakenLands]

There's been hundreds of videos and posts about this already, and for some reason, it's not recognized as an actual fault or issue, I will detail it again in my case in hopes of more exposure.
This issue is happening with MacBook Pro users from 2016 through the 2019 models.



I have a 2018 15 Inch MacBook Pro with the Touchbar. If I do not use the laptop for about 60-75 seconds, the touch-bar dims (60 seconds) and in 75 seconds it switches off (presumably to prevent OLED burn-in).



This is normal, but recently a bright white rectangle in the top right corner starts flashing out of nowhere and continues to do so until I touch it, after which everything goes back to normal. Here is a video detailing the situation.

Watch MacBook Pro Touchbar Issue | Streamable

Watch "MacBook Pro Touchbar Issue" on Streamable.

streamable.com

There are many other videos on youtube that show the exact same condition.



I have tried all the normal customer support suggestions, SMC reset, NVRAM reset, and even complete factory reset.



Current OS: Catalina 10.15.5



From what I gather, this seems to be a hardware issue related to the top case, just like the keyboard issue. I really hope it doesn't take another class-action lawsuit for apple to recognize this. A 2018 Macbook like mine is out of warranty so Apple will likely expect me to pay $1000 to get this fixed, very disappointed.


If anyone has a solution please let me know.

 

[Rill Zhang]

Same issue what I have, Have you solved this problem? Could you tell me how to solve it? Please. Its really annoying me. Many Thanks.

 

[rapotor]

Same for me. However, it started as a small square and is gradually expanding to the left. Now covering approx 30% of the entire touch bar and flickers in a strobe-type of way if idle 20(?) seconds. I can't believe this.
Macbook pro 2018 15"

 

[Rill Zhang]

Same for me. However, it started as a small square and is gradually expanding to the left. Now covering approx 30% of the entire touch bar and flickers in a strobe-type of way if idle 20(?) seconds. I can't believe this.
Macbook pro 2018 15"

Hi, mate. My computer is under warranty and has been repaired by Apple. The repairman replaced my MBP with a new keyboard and Touchbar, but the problem has not been solved. He told me to try to wait until the next version is updated to see if the problem is solved, and then decide to replace the motherboard and hardware.
I can't believe Apple can't fix this problem.

 

[kdls]

I'm having the same flashing light problem and to 'solve' it just put something on top of it so it doesn't annoy me too much. This isn't really a sustainable solution. My 2018 MacBook Pro is also crashing a lot when I'm running only on battery. It crashes with anywhere from 13-80% battery power. My solution for this is to never unplug it but again, annoying and not sustainable. Is it possible these two things are related? or just bad luck?

 

[Boomer5100]

Try pressing D at startup. This will do a hardware diagnosis check. Sounds like you have a potential hardware issue.

 

[MrJon]

The same exact issue here with my MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018). The case feels a little swollen, doesn't shut completely too. Tech support ran me through a bunch of things and finally, we determined it was probably a hardware issue. I don't want to take it in because my local repair shop charges 80 Euro, even for warranty work, if you need something done in less than a few weeks.

I just upgraded to Big Sur. Didn't fix the problem.

 

[IceKoldKube]

Same here MacBook Pro 15 inch 2018 ... started off as a small flashing square, now a third of the touchstrip is flashing.
This is a fault with the hardware and Apple should recall and fix this issue for FREE. This is not isolated, and I'm seeing more and more cases of these macs failing ...

You'd expect more from Apple, and be proactive with this issue ...

 

[MrJon]

I had the same problem with the toolbar and it progressively got worse. Eventually, I noticed battery swelling that was so bad it started deforming the case. I took my MacBook in for repairs and the technician told me it was probably the swollen battery pressing on the components that was causing the toolbar problem.

They fixed the battery issue and the toolbar took care of itself. Probably not what anyone wants to hear. Actually, the repair guy didn't seem very surprised.

 

[dzil01]

The same problem here... this toolbar flickering thing occurred when updating to Big Sur but don't know if this is causing it or just a coincidence. Very annoying!
(MBP 2018/01)

 

[iamthegeek]

I had the same issue on my 2017 MBP and it ended up a full logic board / top case replacement under warranty.

 

[dzil01]

Under warranty from Apple or the store where you bought it? Was it still in the periode of warranty?

 

[poodlesinthewild]

Hi there - I registered an account just to post on this forum.

I too have the same issue, and have had it for at least 6 months. Macbook pro, 15 inch 2018. I had the issue long before updating to Big Sur (and Big Sur didn't help). For those of you for whom the problem is still 'small' - know that it may get worse. The flickering evolves over time and gets bigger and more strobe-like. And, if left unchecked, can end up 'shutting down' the touchbar indefinitely. This happened to me and I thought it finally broke, but then it randomly came back on later.

Does anyone here know how to start a class action lawsuit against Apple for this? It clearly is necessary since the issue doesn't appear within warranty time, and is 100% a hardware issue, so Apple is at fault.

I've attached a video of the current severity of my own flickering, so you might compare.

p.s. I have also tried scripts to keep the touchbar awake but to no avail. it's just not possible.

 

[paulsil]

I had this problem and Apple have refused to refund the repair costs (just under £500) As a result I have decided to issue a claim on the basis that the item did not meet my reasonable expectation of durability for a £4000 laptop marketed as a "quality product".
I am particularly aggrieved as the Apple store manager told me that had it occurred in the first two years (It was two years old in April 2020) he would have done the repair FOC. It did occur within 2 years but the store was closed due to Corona Virus and the telephone lines were continually engaged. Apparently Apple are taking advantage of the pandemic for commercial gain.
I would be grateful to hear of any other experiences of this issue and how it was or was not resolved
Thank you

 

[Geepaw]

Yet another reason I am so very happy Apple plans to abandon this technology to the dust bin of history.

 

[NoerNova]

Hi there, I too have the same issue with my MBP 2019 model.
I've noticed the issue repeatedly occurs when there's very low light around but when I put a flashlight to the ambient light sensor the flickering not appear anymore, so I think mine is about the sensor issue, not the touch bar itself.

 

[febriyan1302]

Same issue with MBP 2019 model, 2 cm from TouchID flicker, it's very annoying

 

[febriyan1302]

Hi there, I too have the same issue with my MBP 2019 model.
I've noticed the issue repeatedly occurs when there's very low light around but when I put a flashlight to the ambient light sensor the flickering not appear anymore, so I think mine is about the sensor issue, not the touch bar itself.

yes, after flashlight off, touchbar back to flicker again

 

[Besas]

Same issue here. Touchbar keeps flickering. Hoping for a recall/repair from apple.

 

[mc_seem]

Same issue here with Macbook Pro 2017 13" . It started happening ONLY after upgrade to Big Sur, never before. When TouchBar goes to idle and completely dark, it starts flickering with bright rectangle in the right corner. Flickering disappears right after waking up the touchbar. This machine has been repaired by Apple in August 2020. Unfortunately our extended Apple Care+ expired recently. Extremely disappointed since it's a premium 1TB drive machine that otherwise works well.

 

[Ekim_Snevets]

Same issue with my Macbook Pro 2016 15". Still on Mojave, problem just started manifesting itself 1 month ago. I like apple computers, but this is unacceptable. My next laptop may be a Dell.

 

[Mudbug]

This is happening on mine too, now more than 1.5 years out of warranty. Irritating, and apparently it does it while the machine is asleep as well, so even if I close the lid on the MB, it still flashes and kills my battery.

 

[Yebubbleman]

There's been hundreds of videos and posts about this already, and for some reason, it's not recognized as an actual fault or issue, I will detail it again in my case in hopes of more exposure.
This issue is happening with MacBook Pro users from 2016 through the 2019 models.



I have a 2018 15 Inch MacBook Pro with the Touchbar. If I do not use the laptop for about 60-75 seconds, the touch-bar dims (60 seconds) and in 75 seconds it switches off (presumably to prevent OLED burn-in).



This is normal, but recently a bright white rectangle in the top right corner starts flashing out of nowhere and continues to do so until I touch it, after which everything goes back to normal. Here is a video detailing the situation.

Watch MacBook Pro Touchbar Issue | Streamable

Watch "MacBook Pro Touchbar Issue" on Streamable.

streamable.com

There are many other videos on youtube that show the exact same condition.



I have tried all the normal customer support suggestions, SMC reset, NVRAM reset, and even complete factory reset.



Current OS: Catalina 10.15.5



From what I gather, this seems to be a hardware issue related to the top case, just like the keyboard issue. I really hope it doesn't take another class-action lawsuit for apple to recognize this. A 2018 Macbook like mine is out of warranty so Apple will likely expect me to pay $1000 to get this fixed, very disappointed.


If anyone has a solution please let me know.

I saw this on a MacBook Pro at one of my previous jobs. I think the only fix is, as stated earlier, a top-case replacement. I didn't realize it was so widespread among pre-Magic Keyboard TouchBar MacBook Pros.

 

[steenjo]

and again... just started doing this - MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)). Follows a few months trying to deal with random shut downs caused by 'kernel panic'. These things used to be bullet proof. Can't believe I'm seriously contemplating switching to PC. I'll monitor this channel for any recommendations. Thanks all.

 

[doweio]

Forum noob here, and had to register to express a “me too”.

I also have a 2018 15 Inch MacBook Pro with the Touchbar. I get the intermittent white flash when the main screen is off but the laptop is idle. About 50% of my touchbar flashes, on the right side like others have been saying.