Horizontal Lines on Screen of iMac, 24", 2021

Just ran into this issue on my M1 iMac, purchased in July 2021 in Malaysia. Took it to Apple and was quoted a very expensive repair cost. No compromise, no goodwill offer. Apple wasn’t willing to help at all. Really disappointing.

Keep checking this Apple website for a Service program for the M1 iMac screen: Apple Service Programs - Apple Support

The screen broke permanently due to the horizontal lines defect. The problem lies in a cable that also powers the LCD, which is located on one of the tops of the screen. this cable (of the FFC/FPC type or Flat Flexible Cable / Flexible Printed Circuit), has to sustain a very high voltage (around 50V) to power the LCD (despite the iMac's power supply being 15.9V), and it heats up a lot! it starts to burn out and degrade at the connector, to the point where it lets the signals leak between the various connectors and short-circuits some of them, which ends up causing those lines and in the end it breaks.

That’s planned obsolescence for you. My 2006 MacBook Pro (I know it’s not an iMac) works fine including the screen (I think it has a CCFL backlight) but this happens with about everything these days sadly. I’ve got a microwave that’s under a 1 year warranty that’s losing power and before that one we had a sharp microwave from the early 90s

Not at all planned obsolescence, as has been mentioned it has happened to a small subset of users, your luck just ran out. We understand your frustration, who wouldn't be frustrated after only 4 years of use but it's not what you claim.

I purchased four M1 iMac 24" in late 2021 for my office, two with lowest specifications, the other two with highest specifications. Unfortunately both of the higher spec iMacs have exactly the same issue started from March and June this year. This is a 50% fail rate after three years of careful use.

It is disappointing as the issue was firstly reported as early as 2023, then hundreds of users expressing "me too" in Apple's forum, Apple seems do not care. I am sure there are many more customers who experienced the same issue but did not hit the "me too" button.

I talked to online support about my findings, also took the iMacs to Genius Bar despite hours of traveling. While I was 99.9% sure it is a hardware issue, I still followed their advices and wasted hours of playing with the software/hardware issue isolating game, by erasing all content and reinstall Mac OS. The specialists sound empathic, but the options provided are still 1) pay to repair or 2) not to repair. I don't blame them, as they are just following the company's guidelines.

I have sent a feedback to Feedback - iMac - Apple to request for a Service Program. Hopefully Apple takes this issue seriously soon enough so they don't turn loyal promoters into detractors.

If your 2021 iMac 24" is having the same issue, please also send a feedback to Apple, and post your case here. It seems the older thread is closed where I cannot post new comments.

iMac 1:

iMac 2:

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iMac screen failure..

Horizontal lines at the bottom of iMac(M1… - Apple Community

Also...

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMa… - Apple Community

Same issue here. iMac 24" M1 2021. Used for 2.5 years. The Apple Store staff suggested me to leave a message in Apple Feedback and let the people higher up look into the issue. The staff can't do anything if it is not in the Apple Service Program.

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out because I'm having the same frustrating issue with my iMac 24" M1 bought in October 2021. After just three years of careful use, the screen started displaying horizontal lines that flicker and make it difficult to use.

I'm really disappointed to see this happen to such a recent and expensive device. I've tried troubleshooting steps, but nothing seems to work.

Any updates on this issue? If so, how did you resolve it? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

...Ricardo

When I increase the brightness the lines become more persistent and ehn I reduce the brightness they disappear for a while. When I wake up the mac they start appearing again so I increase and decrease brightness to work on my projects. I don't understand how this issue has started as everything else seems fine with the imac other than the display issue.

https://youtu.be/GAJNQm3-zCA

I am facing the same issue as everyone else here. The lines appeared on my device a few days ago. This is the first time an Apple device has failed me within three years of use. It’s too expensive to get it fixed.

I have this problem for a long time now.

the lines no appear and disappear every 1 second, and also moves higher in the screens.

support acknowledges the issue, and that it presents in many iMac, but the repair has to be paid entirely by me…

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.

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Just got the same issue today. The horizontal lines are flickering near the bottom of the screen. It is not much of a bother for now, but I'm worried that the issue will become worse soon.

I bought my iMac in 2022, thus the issue popped up after 3 years of frequent daily use. It is a bit longer than others. I'm not using Auto Brightness, and the Brightness level is relatively low all the time.

Just posted as we are on the same boat 🤞, and looking for a feasible solution from Apple.

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Apple keeps removing my comments about my situation but here’s the bottom line:

They declined my claim for support and didn’t recognize the widespread problem and confirmed that they are right to charge for the screen replacement. Pretty sad since I’m having headaches and seizures from using the computer with this problem…