How to Fix if MacBook Pro Screen Is Flickering?

If you use a MacBook Pro, you might often find your screen flickering. This common problem is usually due to many external and internal problems related to your MacBook Pro. For instance, dirt, malware, and software issues can lead to this problem. 

Thankfully, there are some quick fixes that can come in handy while dealing with your MacBook Pro’s flickering screen:

Why Is My Macbook Pro Screen Flickering?

How to Fix if My MacBook Pro Screen Is Flickering?

Here are some solutions you can try to fix this:

Drain Your MacBook Pros’ Battery

Before trying out anything, make sure that the flickering screen is not caused by battery abnormalities. Drain your MacBook until it is out of battery. Simply take out the charging wire if it is attached to your MacBook and do not plug it back in.

Using your MacBook for too long can cause heating of the drive, resulting in the screen freezing and flickering. After taking off the plug, make sure that you have drained your MacBook completely for a fresh start. Put the charger back in and wait for a while.

You can leave it for some hours and recheck if the problem still persists. If your screen is still flickering, you can follow the other steps mentioned below.

Update the OS System of Your MacBook Pro

Updating the OS System of your MacBook can be a great way of protecting it. Sometimes you just need to update the OS for the mechanics inside your MacBook to improve minor issues. 

Updating the OS System of your MacBook can fix the bugs and problems causing your MacBook’s screen to flicker. Follow these simple steps to update your MacBook Pro:

1. Launch the System Preferences located at the dock of your MacBook Pro. Press on Software Update.
2. Plug your MacBook onto a power source if the battery is low. Make sure that your internet reception is also going smoothly. If not, this might prove to be a problem during the downloading process. 
3. If your MacBook Pro is updated, the new window will show that it is up to date. If not, press on the Update Now option.
4. Accept the process of Terms and conditions and enter your MacBook user password for verification.
5. Wait patiently for the download to get completed and check your MacBook Pro’s screen for changes. 

Disable Dark Mode

Apple introduced the Dark mode in 2018. Since then, many of us have preferred using our Mac devices in this mode. The Dark Mode has a stark contrast against the white brightness of the original setting.

Your MacBook Pro might suddenly experience flickering if it is having problems with the display module. The said display module manages the dark mode of your MacBook. 

Problems arising within the display module can also cause your MacBook’s screen to flicker. Follow the given steps in order to disable dark mode in your MacBook:

1. Launch the System Preferences of your MacBook located at the dock of the screen. Press on General when the new window appears.
2. A new window appears with the first option; Appearance showcasing three appearance settings for the MacBook. 
3. Press on the first Light option presented to you. As soon as this is pressed, the screen appearance of your MacBook goes from dark to light mode. 

Switch Off Automatic Graphics Switching on MacBook

The Automatics Graphic Switching is a mechanism that helps your MacBook with its multiple graphic controllers. One of the key features of GPU Switching is that it can maximize graphic performance and prolong battery life when in use.

The GPU Switches uses the standalone chip to handle more powerful tasks while it uses the integrated chip to handle the basic ones.

Automatic Graphics Switching is the ultimate power-saving trick for Mac owners. This can prove to be another catalyst for a flickering MacBook screen. Please follow these given steps to switch off Automatic Graphics Switching on your MacBook:

1. Launch System Preferences on your MacBook. 
2. Press the Battery option presented in the new window. 
3. Press on the new Battery option again, located on the left side of the window. 
4. You will be presented with a list of options to optimize both your video streaming and battery consumption. 
5. Tick off those boxes to disable automatic graphic switching. Verify your login and press on return.
6. Restart your MacBook Pro once the process is complete.

Uninstall Any Recent Files or Applications Downloaded  on Your MacBook

Viruses can enter your MacBook via online downloads and cause screen flickering problems and lagging. They can appear in applications and/or files you have downloaded recently with viruses coded in them.

Simply uninstall the recent applications and files on your MacBook. Control-click on the files and files and documents and press delete. 

Follow these simple steps given below to erase downloaded applications and folders completely from your MacBook:

1. Locate the file you want to delete via Finder at the dock of your MacBook screen. 
2. Drag the application you would like to delete by dragging them towards the trash bin.
3. Make sure that you empty out the trash bin after the move as well. Same goes with documents and folders that have been deleted directly.
    
4. You may run a Anti-Virus program before and after deletion of the files. Make sure there are no lingering viruses in your MacBook.

Reset the PRAM or the NVRAM on Your MacBook

A flickering screen can be a sign of a corrupted MacBook. Resetting the PRAM or NVRAM of your MacBook can restore its default hardware settings. Doing this also sets up the internal hard drive as the startup disk.

In order to fix your MacBook’s flickering screen, you can reset the PRAM/NVRAM as a possible solution as well. 

Follow these given steps to rest the PRAM or NVRAM on your MacBook: 

1. Shut down your MacBook using the Apple Menu. Make sure that it is completely shut down and not in reset mode. 
2. Press on the start button again and wait for it to switch on. Quickly, start pressing the following keys for 20 seconds  Option + Command + P+ R. Make sure that you are holding it down for 20 seconds without interruptions.
3. This will make your MacBook restart with the PRAM or NVRAM reset and fix your flickering screen.

Reset the SMC of Your MacBook Pro

You can reset your MacBook’s SMC to restore the default settings that you cannot modify via System Preferences. Sometimes, SMC-related issues can affect your MacBook performance and also create bugs. If none of the above solutions are working, you can give resetting SMC a final try. 

Under SMC are the thermal management, power button response, sleep settings, battery management, lighting settings, and so on. Resetting the SMC of your MacBook to default settings can prove to be of great use.

Follow the given steps to reset the SMC of your MacBook:

1. Press on the power off button on your MacBook. After doing so, simultaneously hold the given keys for 10 seconds straight. Shift + Control + Option + Power key.
2. When the option tray appears, press on Reset the SMC of your MacBook to Defaults. 
3. Release the keys after ten seconds. Your SMC Is now set at Default.

Run Apple Diagnostics on MacBook

Running the Apple Diagnostics can help access your MacBook Pro for possible hardware issues. Since the flickering screen can be a sign of a hardware issue, it can be a good idea to run an Apple Diagnostics. Apple Diagnostics helps point out exactly which hardware component is not functioning properly. 

Follow the given steps to run the Apple Diagnostics process on your MacBook Pro:

1. Head towards the Apple menu and press on Shut Down…. 
2. Make sure that all external devices have been disconnected from your MacBook. Make sure that your MacBook is also located at an easily accessible place.
3. Switch on your MacBook. Immediately press and keep holding the D key on your keyboard. 
4. You can release the hold once the Language Options appear.
5. The Apple Diagnostics runs a scan through your MacBook for any defects. After that is complete, it figures out where a defect is.
6. You can repeat the test by pressing on Run the test again.  Proceed to restart your MacBook Pro by pressing on the Restart option.

FAQs

What Can I Do if My MacBook Pro Screen Is Still Flickering?

Try visiting your nearest Apple store. Better yet, you can visit the same store you purchased your MacBook Pro from. Hardware and complex software-related issues can be resolved by professionals. Meanwhile, valid warranties can be compensated from the store. 

Is the Process of Running Apple Diagnostics Different From Other MacBook?

Yes, MacBooks with Apple Silicons and MacBooks with Intel Processors have different procedures to run the Apple Diagnostics. MacBook Pro possessing an Intel Processor follows the method presented above.

Can I Use an External Display When My MacBook Screen Is Not Working?

You may opt to connect an external display meanwhile if your MacBook Pro’s screen is still flickering. External Monitors can offer great resolutions and colors to compensate for a flickering screen.