Symptoms
- Screen flickers briefly, sometimes repeatedly
- Flickering happens more with certain apps or during graphics-intensive tasks
- Flickering worsens or changes when the laptop lid is moved slightly
- External display flickers differently or not at all compared to the built-in screen
Likely causes
- CommonA software or graphics driver glitch after an updateThis can sometimes be resolved by updating or resetting display-related settings.
- CommonAutomatic graphics switching (on dual-GPU Macs) causing a brief flicker during transitionsThis is sometimes normal and brief, but can be excessive if something's wrong.
- PossibleA display cable connection issue, more common on older laptops with hinge wearFlickering that changes with lid angle points strongly to this.
- PossibleAn incompatible or buggy third-party app affecting the displaySome apps interact poorly with macOS's graphics handling.
- PossibleA failing display panel or graphics chip on an older MacThis becomes more likely if flickering is constant and unaffected by software changes.
What to do
- Note whether flickering happens with all apps or just specific ones, which narrows down a software cause.
- Check for macOS updates in System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Reset NVRAM/PRAM on Intel Macs (Option+Command+P+R at startup) to clear stored display settings.
- Test with an external display connected to see if the flickering is isolated to the built-in screen.
- Gently move the laptop lid through its range while watching for flicker changes, without forcing it, to check for a cable-related connection issue.
- Boot into Safe Mode to see if flickering persists, which can help isolate a third-party software cause.
- Check Activity Monitor for a specific app using very high GPU resources during flickering.
- If flickering correlates with lid movement or persists across all software troubleshooting, it likely points to a hardware issue needing professional repair.
Tools and parts
- External display and cable (for testing)
When to call a pro
If flickering changes with the lid angle or persists after software troubleshooting, an Apple-authorized shop can check the display cable and panel.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.