Level 1

74 points

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen

I am reaching out to share an ongoing issue I, along with several other users, have been experiencing with our iMac 24-inch models, and to seek a collective resolution.

Problem Description:

Persistent horizontal lines appear on the screen, which significantly hampers the usability and visual appeal of the device.
This problem arises without any physical damage, and despite the stationary nature of the device.

Steps Taken:

Connected to an external display: The external display works fine, indicating the issue is with the iMac's internal display.
Reinstalled the OS: The problem persisted post reinstallation.
Avoided operating the iMac for a week: No change in the situation.

Concerns:

The cost of screen replacement is high, and there's no assurance that it will resolve the issue permanently.
The quality concern is alarming especially for a brand that positions itself as a premium segment player.
The support received thus far has been unsatisfactory, with no definitive solutions provided apart from a costly screen replacement suggestion.

Please do not ask us to visit to service center and replace the screen for 650USD + , problem happens mostly after warranty.

[Edited by Moderator]

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Oct 21, 2023 10:40 AM

Top-ranking reply

VanCitySean

Level 2

232 points

Posted on May 26, 2024 06:08 PM

I just received my repaired Imac. every thing looks beautiful and it is just like new! It only took 3 days total to fix and I paid zero :)

I am very thankful.

Overal process:

1. Kept apple in good consciousness and practiced released judgment and frustration and remained in forgiveness and non-attached frequency. 2 Reached to chat support and requested senior advisor 3. Had a genuine conversion about my appreciation for apple and how there is a case of manufacturing that can be happy to any company and requested for them to investigate this thread - as it is well documented. (Thanks to all of you) 4. She forwarded it to engineers and requested the photos and files from me, and within a few days had been approved for repair.

I trust this can be done for all the other people with the same issue and hopefully in the future if it happened again they can upgrade us to a newer model. May be we can all get an M3 ? :P

Talk soon!

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Similar questions

397 replies

May 20, 2024 08:55 AM in response to Kelly韓湘琪

When the right corner becomes hot, the screen flickers, but the flickering stops once the right corner cools down again.

May 20, 2024 02:29 PM in response to latVm

I have the same problem after 3 years of use. My iMac has been used carefully and everything works normally except for those black horizontal lines at the bottom. Apple, please!!!, help with this. We have relied on the quality of your electronic products when making these costly investments and I understand that it is not fair that you leave us stranded in this way.

Jasp79

Level 1

52 points

May 21, 2024 10:26 PM in response to VanCitySean

Great for you! Now we have to e-mail Katerine all together ;-)

ping137

Level 1

74 points

May 23, 2024 08:21 AM in response to latVm

Hi VanCitySean,

How to contact Katerine? Thanks!

den.thed

Level 10

88,750 points

May 28, 2024 07:28 AM in response to ping137

Apple will not address the issue here in this User to User forum.

You need to go to > Official Apple Support and work your way up thru the Support chain.

Jun 20, 2024 03:35 PM in response to latVm

An update:

From what I can observe, the lines do not only flicker. Right at the top, where the lines begin, there are reflections of what's on the display below. I am attaching a few screenshots that experts can observe. Also, if hardware experts are monitoring this discussion, do hardware problems look like these? Something on your screen finding reflection on a different part of it?

Oct 28, 2024 11:12 AM in response to latVm

Hello, I Had Been Using This IMac Since 2021, But There is A Screen Issue Which Was Arises Last Year. This problem Occurred without any physical damage, There Been A permanent Black lines Which was very annoying, Me and Many User Facing This Same Problem. I request Apple Team To Resolve This Problem

ping137

Level 1

74 points

Jan 9, 2025 02:45 AM in response to siddhutsg

Mine started with one line and worsened to unusable — just one data point

Jan 9, 2025 03:14 AM in response to Ro_cos

I was oblidged to stop using my defective iMac because it was impossible to work with it, now it is in the original box ready for Apple to ask me for fixing the screen .... if they will

Jul 4, 2025 04:16 AM in response to latVm

I have this issue as well. It is quite clearly a manufacturing fault and it's unfair of them to ask for $780 for a fix.

latVm Author

Level 1

74 points

Oct 21, 2023 12:27 PM in response to Old Toad

Lol free diagnostic? They charged ne 30USD for inspection and told me that 650USD is required to replace the screen. I did the diagnostics there are no problems, display just fails for iMac 24 inch.

It's a problem faced by many, Apple product failed multiple times in a span of 2 years, I could now have brought another iMac with repair cost. This product had a logic board failure during warranty period and apple denied replacement, now this. Any way I have to buy new one now for my work ( Let the stock raise lol )

Similar issues are being faced by many, so why denying it?

Jan 22, 2024 08:31 AM in response to latVm

I had the exact same issue as everyone here. The first few nights (2 or 3), I used multiple pixel refresher videos from YouTube (5 hours or so each time), at max brightness. Then I continue to use the computer normally but on a second screen. Keeping the iMac screen at the lowest brightness for over a week.

Also, I pray a whole bunch :)

Jasp79

Level 1

52 points

Jan 22, 2024 09:23 AM in response to cristobal2

That dit not work for me… the screen issue came back for 3 or 4 times during the last months… until at the end it dit not disapear at all. So, went to the Apple repair shop and had to buy a new lcd screen (€800)

latVm Author

Level 1

74 points

Jan 24, 2024 08:20 AM in response to iGerry84

@iGerry84 Yes. I feel the problem is with Last two apple mac OS version upgrades, considering the timing of all these cases. Some software side glitch is triggering hardware damage. It is causing the display to break. If you notice the steady lines are happening in exactly at the connectors and those regions heats up quickly.

Some one needs to try downgrading to the initial launch version, which is a kind of complex process.

There has been one case which reported that it went away without repair, but user couldn't identify how happened. User only mentioned that the screen was kept at lower brightness, while using a secondary monitor.

Apple will just ask you replace the screen, most of service center lacks the skills to diagnose this.

RPAEA

Level 1

73 points

Feb 4, 2024 09:51 AM in response to jjayzt

What happens if you Factory Reset the iMac? Of course after you have Time Machine Backup or backup of some sorts. Erase the whole thing and reinstall Mac OS Clean. Does it show up? Perhaps Reinstall with Ventura that came with it?

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen