Horizontal Lines on Screen of iMac, 24", 2021

A continuation of closed topic: Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMa… - Apple Community


This morning, horizontal lines appeared across the lower 2/3 of the screen on my iMac computer, purchased in August of 2021. It happened the morning after an auto-update to Sonoma 14.6.1, but after reading the "Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen" feed in the Community forum, I saw that it was a common hardware issue with the new silicon iMac computers.


The lines downgrade the font quality, and they flicker making using the computer hard on the eyes. This definitely interferes with my work. I have already posted feedback to Apple on https://apple.com/feedback/imac


My iMac is no longer under warrantee, but with this being a common occurrence with the silicon iMacs, I am hoping that Apple will stand by its products and its good name by either repairing or replacing the computer at no cost to the consumer.



[Edited by Moderator]

iMac 24″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Sep 2, 2024 10:33 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 24, 2025 3:44 PM

What you're experiencing is a display problem with early M1 iMacs.


The following topics illustrate the Silicon M1 iMac Display problem:


Screen Failure on 24-inch-iMac, M1, 2021 - Apple Community

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac Screen - Apple Community

Horizontal Lines on Screen of iMac, 24", 2021

Horizontal black lines covering bottom 3rd of 2021 M1 iMac screen

Grey horizontal patches on my M1 iMac 2021 model

Horizontal lines at the bottom of iMac(M1,2021) screen

Horizontal Lines on 2001 M1 iMac Display

Persistent horizontal lines and other issues on iMac M1 display


As you've already been urged to do is take it into the nearest Apple Genius Bar for a free diagnostic test. You'll be told that the repair will cost about $600 US and that there is no replacement program currently for the problem. If you take it in you're telling Apple that there are more M1 iMacs with the problem and you'll be in their database if and when there is a repair program initiated.


Some users have opted to get an inexpensive 3rd party monitor and run it with the iMac. It's certainly less expensive than the repair costs.


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71 replies

Apr 15, 2025 3:50 AM in response to Wendy887

The same thing happened with my iMac M1 today and also after the device ran out of warranty. The support specialist told me on phone, that i need to pay the repair. When i told him, that there are many other users who have the same problem, he said, this is the first time he's dealing with this issue.


What i've noticed is, that the upper right corner of the display gets incredibly hot. But then after manually cooling it down. The temperature is and stays "low". This is fishy for me.


If the iMac has a production bug which is revealing after some time, in my opinion Apple IS accountable for this bug, even if it appeared after the warranty ended, since how can a customer complain about a hidden bug during warranty when he doesn't even know that the bug exists.


I have an appointment at the genius bar and i hope Apple has the face to offer a fair solution !!!



Jul 21, 2025 11:39 AM in response to Wendy887

Bought my M1 iMac last 2022. Used it regularly from 2022-Mid 2024. Have used it approximately 10-20x since Aug 2024 since i have moved out. While surfing the net, sudden horizontal lines appeared. Then began to shift. It distorted some of the display. Its been giving me headaches. Searched around and found multiple threads of the same issue. Also noticed that the left side of the monitor was also hot to touch. And it was only the left side that was hot, around the area where the first line began. I have yet to go to the authorized apple reseller as it only occurred a few hours ago. But have now sent feedback. Will update once i have some news. Hopefully this gets covered.


[Edited by Moderator]

Jul 30, 2025 7:33 AM in response to Wendy887

I'm having the same problem. It started yesterday suddenly, showing horizontal lines and flickering. I restarted the computer, and then the black spot appeared in the upper left corner (it's extremely hot to the touch). I'm very disappointed because it's clearly a design/hardware issue that more and more M1 iMacs are experiencing. I'd like to believe it's not something planned, but Apple should at least respond with a product repair or, at the very least, a large discount on the repair. In fact, repairing the screen doesn't guarantee it won't happen again.


It seems this problem has been occurring more often since 2024 with M1 models, but if they use the same flawed design with other iMac models, it's only a matter of time before other iMacs start experiencing the same problem.





I haven an appointment today with the Apple service dealer in my country.

Aug 29, 2025 10:34 AM in response to Wendy887

Hello everyone,

I’m adding my voice to the growing number of iMac M1 owners experiencing persistent horizontal lines across the display.

  • My iMac is the 24-inch M1 (2021).
  • The lines appeared suddenly and are worsening over time.
  • When I connect to an external monitor, the issue does not appear, which suggests it’s a built-in display hardware fault and not a GPU/software issue.
  • The lines do not appear when taking a screenshot, which suggest according to the apple advisor on the chat that it is a hardware and not a software issue
  • I’ve seen many others here and on Reddit/MacRumors describing the exact same problem, often 1.5–2 years after purchase.


This seems to be a widespread defect, not accidental damage. It would be great if Apple could officially acknowledge this and provide support—whether through a repair program or extended coverage.


Has anyone here successfully escalated this with Apple Support and received a repair (in or out of warranty)? If so, could you share how you approached it?


Thanks for any advice, and I hope Apple is listening to the many of us dealing with the same display failure.

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Horizontal Lines on Screen of iMac, 24", 2021

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