iMac (M1, 2021) Display Issue

[ButWhyY]

My M1 2021 iMac's screen is acting weird.
The lower part of the screen is flickering since past few days.
Please refer the attachments.

Any idea what might be the reason.
Hardware or software issue?

I don't have AppleCare+ coverage either;
so, looking for an affordable solution to fix this problem.

Please advise, thanks in advance.

 

[Chuckeee]

Does changing the resolution do anything?

 

[ButWhyY]

Does changing the resolution do anything?

Nope

 

[kagharaht]

My M1 2021 iMac's screen is acting weird.
The lower part of the screen is flickering since past few days.
Please refer the attachments.

Any idea what might be the reason.
Hardware or software issue?

I don't have AppleCare+ coverage either;
so, looking for an affordable solution to fix this problem.

Please advise, thanks in advance.

View attachment 2365913

Looks like that thread from Apple forum. All M1 users having sudden vertical line after 2 years of ownership. Do a search there under iMac. Its a hardware failure not software from the consensus of people posting there.

 

[bryo]

Looks like that thread from Apple forum. All M1 users having sudden vertical line after 2 years of ownership. Do a search there under iMac. Its a hardware failure not software from the consensus of people posting there.

Wow really? Is this just the m1 iMac in particular?

 

[kagharaht]

Wow really? Is this just the m1 iMac in particular?

From what I can read there yes. So far just the M1. Doesn't matter what country, configuration, just M1 iMac around the 2 year mark is when it starts happening. I'm glad I have Apple care on my M3, because now I'm kinda worried the same thing may start happening to M3 iMacs within 2 years or so.

 

[MacDi]

I got an iMac (24”, M1, 2021) in July 2021 when it first came out, almost 3 years ago. It has been in daily use since; however, last week flickering black horizontal lines suddenly started appearing in the bottom half of the screen.

Even after restarting and updating, the annoying lines keep appearing on the screen, making it unusable. Turned the iMac off for a few days, but the problem persists. Apart from the screen, everything else is working as it should.

It’s very frustrating to use the iMac with these unnoticeable, irritating horizontal lines on the screen. It's such a disappointment to see this issue; without a cause, within such short time.

 

[ButWhyY]

Got in touch with Apple Support; they asked me to take the backup of the Mac and start it in safe mode. Since the issue continued, I reinstalled macOS (Sonoma 14.4.1), but the problem persists.

Then Apple Support asked me to book a reservation at the Apple Store for their technician to check the iMac. They couldn’t check the price estimated for the screen repair. Of course I don't have AppleCare.

I am getting an inexpensive Samsung 1080p monitor and an Amazon USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. I’ll connect the external monitor and continue using the iMac with the lowest brightness.

 

[kagharaht]

Here is the thread on Apple Forum.

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMa… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[macguru9999]

try warranty replacement anyways, if not buy a new mini/studio plus screen and move on....

 

[mogens]

I think this is an issue related to the 7-core GPU iMacs vs the 8-core model.
One has one fan while the other has two.

 

[kagharaht]

I think this is an issue related to the 7-core GPU iMacs vs the 8-core model.
One has one fan while the other has two.

The users posting there also has the dual fan models having the same problem. Around the 2 year mark, the screens are failing.

 

[ButWhyY]

try warranty replacement anyways, if not buy a new mini/studio plus screen and move on....

The cost of screen replacement is too high without AppleCare, and there's no assurance that it will resolve the issue permanently. Looks like the most economical path forward would be an external 3rd party monitor, which can still be used when I replace this iMac with a Mac mini.

 

[ButWhyY]

I think this is an issue related to the 7-core GPU iMacs vs the 8-core model.
One has one fan while the other has two.

Mine is a 8-core dual fan model.

 

[ButWhyY]

Here is the thread on Apple Forum.

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMa… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

Thanks. Have posted this issue there too.

 

[macguru9999]

The cost of screen replacement is too high without AppleCare, and there's no assurance that it will resolve the issue permanently. Looks like the most economical path forward would be an external 3rd party monitor, which can still be used when I replace this iMac with a Mac mini.

I have been using an M1pro MBP with a dead screen since last september, in clamshell mode , with a dell monitor and a powered TB hub. It all works perfectly.

 

[ButWhyY]

I have been using an M1pro MBP with a dead screen since last september, in clamshell mode , with a dell monitor and a powered TB hub. It all works perfectly.

When my MBP (15-inch, late 2008)’s screen failed during the pandemic, I continued using it by connecting it to a 4K TV using a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable.

You play the cards you're dealt.