MacBook Screen Flickering? The Easy Way to Fix It (macOS Sonoma)

Why is my MacBook screen flickering? Before you panic and run to an Apple store, there are several easy fixes you can try to get your computer screen steady again. Here's how to fix MacBook or MacBook Pro screen flickering.

Jump To:

• How to Fix Mac Screen Flickering
• Try This First
• Disable Accessibility's Flashing Screen Alert
• Turn Off Low Power Mode
• Make Sure True Tone Is Off
• FAQ

How to Fix Mac Screen Flickering

If your MacBook screen is flickering, you might be panicking, thinking it's a hardware issue. It might be, but before you run into an Apple store shouting, "My Mac screen is flickering!" there are some things you can try to fix it yourself. There are several easy things to try that might take care of the issue, so follow this list and see if any of it helps.

Try This First

If your MacBook screen is flickering, the first thing to do is to reset your computer and check for any updates. If it's a software bug, resetting your Mac may get your computer out of that loop. If it's a bug with the software, an update might address this issue. Also, make sure your power connection is stable. If your cable is disconnecting and reconnecting it might cause your screen to flicker.

Discover your iPhone's hidden features

Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

1. Disable Accessibility's Flashing Screen Alert

There's an Accessibility feature that causes your Mac screen to flash when a sound alert comes in. Here is how to disable it in case you've accidentally activated it and don't want your screen to flash. For more troubleshooting tips. check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

1. Click the Apple Menu and then click System Settings.
   
   
2. Click Accessibility in the sidebar.
   
   
3. Click Audio.
   
   
4. Click the slider next to Flash the screen when an alert sound occurs to turn it off. When it's off, the slider should be to the left and the bar should be gray.
   
   

If this doesn't fix the issue, read on.

2. Turn Off Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode is a handy power-saving tool, but if you're trying to engage with apps that involve higher usage, it may cause your screen to flicker. Turn off Low Power Mode if it's on and see if this resolves the issue. To turn off Low Power Mode:

1. Click the Apple Menu icon then click System Settings.
   
   
2. Click Battery in the sidebar.
   
   
3. Click the menu next to Low Power Mode. Choose Never to make sure it is turned off and see if this fixes your issue. You can go back to a different preferred setting by following the same steps and selecting something else.
   
   

3. Make Sure True Tone Is Off

If you have True Tone enabled, it might be causing some of your screen flickering issues. To disable it:

1. Click the Apple Menu icon then click System Settings.
   
   
2. Click Displays in the sidebar.
   
   
3. Toggle True Tone off.
   
   

4. Contact Apple Support

If none of this works, you may be dealing with a hardware issue. Contact Apple Support for further assistance and to see if they can get you back on track.