Horizontal Lines on Screen of iMac, 24", 2021

You'll have to check the website I posted in my last reply to see if and when Apple will have a service/repair for the M1 iMac screen.

If you have to bite the bullet and get a new Mac I strongly recommend getting a Mac Mini M4 with a 3rd party 4k monitor. A Mac Mini M4 with 15 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD with a 32" LG 4k monitor w/speakers is $1418 w/tax which is $650 less than a similarly configured new 24" iMac.

Just some food for thought.

The horizontal black lines have started to show up persistently on my iMac today, after 4 years of occasional use. It started showing up about 1 year ago, but would go away after a restart or shutdown, or just disappear by itself. I typically use my LCD at 50% brightness or less.

I have called Apple to request for a repair and waiver of repair fee, they had not agreed to it yet, but asked me to bring it into a service centre.

I am respectfully requesting Apple to address this issue, as Apple devices are typically quite reliable.

[Edited by Moderator]

cheeweewee wrote:

I am respectfully requesting Apple to address this issue, as Apple devices are typically quite reliable.

Apple personnel, i.e. engineers, are not in this forum which is a user to user forum. We're all end users like yourself. The only way to directly address Apple is via iMac Feedback.

Hi,

This is a common issue on new iMac. I hope Apple would recall program about it.

iMac screen failure..

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

Also...

Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMa… - Apple Community

Currently there is no Service Program for that issue but keep checking this website in case Apple instigates one: Apple Service Programs - Apple Support.  

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

Hi everyone,

I'm experiencing persistent screen flickering on my M1 iMac (purchased in September 2022), and I'm not sure how to proceed. The flickering intensity seems directly tied to screen brightness—higher brightness levels render the flickering lines for a longer duration, while at lower brightness, they appear less frequently.

Several reputable news sources have covered this issue, highlighting that it affects multiple M1 iMac users globally. Given that I am in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, where extreme summer heatwaves are common, I’m concerned about the long-term reliability of my device.

My Current Situation

• I use this iMac as my primary work computer for freelance work.
• I recently moved back home from city life and cannot afford immediate repairs or a replacement.
• I’ve already spent a lot on my convocation travel (Feb 24 – Mar 1, 2025) and late college fees, impacting my savings.
• I also pay a monthly EMI for my education loan, so additional expenses are difficult.
• External monitor? I can’t afford one right now.
• Apple Authorized Service Centers? I don't trust third-party centers in my area based on past experiences.
• Taking the iMac to Delhi? Not an option due to travel and accommodation costs.
• My iPad no longer works, so I’ve stopped digital drawing altogether.

Timeline of the Issue

• The first minor flicker appeared a week before my convocation trip (mid-February 2025), but it disappeared on its own.
• After I returned home on March 1, 2025, the flickering became persistent and hasn't gone away since.
• The iMac has never been moved since I unboxed it in September 2022.

Concerns & Next Steps

I bought this iMac considering Apple’s reputation for longevity, but right now, it feels like a gamble. I’m stuck deciding whether to repair it (which might be costly) or invest further into a product with known issues.

Has anyone here faced a similar issue?

What are my possible solutions without breaking the bank?

Would appreciate any guidance.

Thanks!

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.

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.

[Edited by Moderator]

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…

The reason your posts are removed is because you continually are violating the Terms of Use that you agreed to abide by! You can find them at the bottom of this web page by clicking the link, please read them and you will see what you can and cannot post on these forums.

If you are unhappy with your iMac, Apple or anything associated with Apple of course you can select other devices and manufacturers. But please do look over the Terms of Use so you have a good understanding of what we are and are not allowed to post on these forums.

gosh, me too. purchased summer of 2021, started glitching this past week. everything else is working fine and i've updated everything i possibly can. this feels like a very common problem and i'm frustrated that they're forcing users to spend more money to fix an issue most likely from the hardware itself. :(

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.