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2.2 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz) or 2.5 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.7 GHz) quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 6MB shared L3 cache.

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Flickering dots on display

Hi there,

a couple of days ago I suddenly noticed white dots randomly appearing on my MBP's display.

See:

Block Image

https://youtu.be/nj5WNlZksUw

It's even more noticable on dark areas.

My first thought was GPU-related. But since my Mac has two of them (Intel Iris + GeForce 750M), I downloaded gfxCardStatus to switch between them and to my surprise, the issue persists.

Resetting SMC and PRAM didn't help.

Today I connected the MacBook to another display via HDMI and while I'm still getting these flickering dots on the MBP, the screen is perfectly fine on the external display.

Looks like the display is affected.

But since 400 dollars for a new display is a lot, I'd like to see what you guys think. Have you ever had this issue? Could it be anything else than the display?

Thank you.

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Its hard to see anything on the screen as its just too dirty and the coating has also failed.

Sporadic dots are likely EMI noise within the logic board graphics. One or more noise filtering caps have failed.

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Hey, I had the same issue on Macbook Pro 15" late 2013. I unscrewed the bottom case, disconnected the display ribbon cable, reconnected it and the problem went away! In my case, the problem started after a heavy object fell on my laptop (ouch) so maybe it was the impact of the collision that moved the cable. It's worth mentioning that the cable seemed to be seated just fine on its connector, but apparently it wasn't.

TL;DR: Disconnect and reconnect the display cable.

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"I unscrewed the bottom case, disconnected the display ribbon cable, reconnected it and the problem went away!" Did the same thing worked perfectly :-)

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I often find the pins are dirty either with corrosion or tarnish. Us a new pink pencil eraser and lightly wipe the cables contacts (with the grain)

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This solves the problem. Thank you.

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

+1

I just replace the left speaker on my macbook and after booting the screen would occasionally flicker with rgb pixels then go black for about 10-20 sec. I then reconnected the display ribbon and it was back to normal.

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HI EVERYONE!Same issue with my oldie but goodie Macbook Pro 2014 Retina. This is something that started to appear (GREEN DOTS and SUDDEN BLACKOUTS) when my laptop fell off my shoulder bag and accidentally hit the ground in one of the corners. I was wondering if there is a tutorial on how to open the laptop and reach the display ribbon cable.Thnks for your help.

KR

S

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Same issue on an early 2013 15" MBP. Just noticed that if I applied pressure to the hinge above the ESC key that the flickering pixels and lines went away. First time I have been able to "fix" it intentionally and I'm not sure it will last. It has only done this 3 or 4 times since I purchased it and it has been about a year since it last malfunctioned.

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OMG!!! I had the issue since yesterday and it worked.

It all started when I closed the lid and reopened it later, the screen went all black. After a reseting the SMC and PRAM a couple of time, the screen came back as usual but then I noticed the flickering dots. I just pushed the hinge above the Esc key and the F4 key and it disappeared! Thanks!

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

OMG!! I've been working on this same issue for days! I did the same as above comment. Pushed the hinge on left side above esc & F4 keys. Problem solved.

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Oh Man! It really works. I thought it will be joke. But Yes... Those flickering dots Gone Aways. Thanks a ton!

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Did you solve the issue? I have the exact same model as yours (Retina Mbp 15 w/ 750M) and just noticed my screen is doing the same.

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Hi Joao Costa,

sorry, I forgot to inform you guys that it disappeared months ago, I can't even tell when.

I must have been using El Capitan at that time, now I'm on 10.12.2 and I haven't had any display issues for months. So after all I assume it was a rare software issue and got fixed with one of the many software updates.

Glad I saved my money.

However, what's your macOS version? Sorry I can't be of much help here, but maybe it really is software related (fingers crossed).

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10.12.2 as well. I think I will install a different OS and see if my problem persists! Thanks for the quick answer. :)

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I have the same model and the same problem. Do you guys think it's a product defect?

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Good luck!

@haroonshergill

Have you tried forcing the integrated GPU (gfxCardStatus) to see if it only happens when your GeForce is in charge (or the other way around)? Also, you could plug in an external display to find out if the flickering is on both displays or the integrated only. Both displays would make me think it's GPU related.

That's at least what I did when I still had that issue.

If the problem still persists even after several software updates, I would assume that either your GPU or your display is affected.

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I think it might be a power issue, will let you know tomorrow. I have two AC adapters, started at work where I have one, not at home where the other is. Will keep informed.

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I don’t know where I found this, but applying pressure on the frame above the first few F1 keys has fixed my problem.

I think that it did something to the underlying cable. I hope this can help you.

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Thanks for your reply. I tried but the issue persist.

You could be right where the cable were disturbed as i took the bottom apart to clean yesterday.

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For me was perfectly fine, is crazy but is working fine... I can’t believe this thanks for share this...

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This method works fine!!!!!

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LOL I just installed the big sur and a few days after the screen started to flicker,.. I was making a bootable flash drive to downgrade to catalina but then I pushed above the F1 button and IT WORKED FOR ME!! Probably a lose connection from going to work. I'm so happy !! Thanks!!

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Wow, this just started happening to me as well. No impact or anything like that happened with my display either, I'm wondering what the problem is. I really hope it's a software issue. :/

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I got the same Issue!

It's a MBP Retina 15" 2014. Flickering Pixels all over the screen.

I think they are mainly white and therefore mainly visible in darker areas.

I tried El Capitan and Os Sierra. It didn't change anything.

They are permanently there, so I think it's a Hardware (Screen?) issue.

Maybe a isolation problem? bad connectors?

can't really find anything about that, it seems to be a rare problem.

please help!

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Hi,

does your MBP have a dedicated GPU?

If so, you might try the following as mentioned earlier:

1. download gfxCardStatus and force using each of the GPUs alternately. Check if it only happens on one of them.

2. plug in an external display and mirror your screen. If the flickering persists on both displays, it seems GPU related. If it doesn't, I would consider it a display or board/connector issue.

That's what I did back then.

This won't fix anything but it should help you narrow down the problem.

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I'm not able to check it on an external Monitor at the Moment, but switching between the GPU's doesn't affect anything.

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Hey!

I'm experience the same problem. I'm on OS 10.10.5. Are you still having problems or how did you get it fixed?

Please help!

Best regrads,

Johan

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Same problem here. I am positive it's either a display problem or a connector problem.

If I connect my Cinema Display, the flickering pixels don't appear on the external display, yet they're still visible on the MacBook Pro's display. The situation doesn't change regardless of which graphic card I use, Iris Pro or 750M.

Has anyone attempted to fix this by himself, or did you contact Apple's assistance? How much did it cost?

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Then the issue is within the internal displays logic.

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I'm having the same problem after have sent my MBP to Authorized Apple Assistance to get it cleaned internally and to get its sound system fixed. I'm gonna ask them to fix this for free as it wasn't that way before I send my machine to them.

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Hi, Rafael. Your problem is solved ? My mbp have a same problem :-(

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Hi Guys, I saw this problem pop on my Macbook Pro 15’’ 2014 Dual Graphics model.

It is only visible when the Discrete GPU is in use. I didn’t fairly notice this issue earlier.

I have not attached an external unit yet, but it feels like this is a graphics card issue.

For anyone coming here from macOS Mojave 14.4, try gfxCardStatus and see the information.

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Lads, how the same issue after opening up my macbook for some routine cleaning.


After reading banshee_bob’s point about pressing the keys down i assumed it was some sort of pressure issue.


So i took off the bottom plate and re-installed it making sure this time all the screws were in the right place and that seemed to solve the issue.

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I have encounter the same issue with flickering white pixels. Anyone has a new solution apart from the abovementioned?

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I recently experienced the same issue, it happened after I did a routine clean up of the ventilators. All the pervious suggestions: pressure points, gfxCardStatus, software updates, etc did not solve the issue. When I use an external monitor the issue does not persist, which makes me think that it is input/output or motherboard related. Would anyone have a potential diagnosis? Is it that I accidentally short circuited something while cleaning?

Any tips are much appreciated.

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Hi have you manage to find out the cause of it?

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