My MacBook Pro screen is flickering, while external displays look fine

The bottom 1/4 of my screen is jumping and grainy.

I did notice a McAfee spam trying to update on my computer but I don’t have McAfee.

I also have to extended screens and they look fine.


[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Can anyone suggest a fix before I have to take it to the store?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Oct 14, 2025 8:42 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 14, 2025 3:24 PM

for your hardware issue— take it in


Yes the external display comes direct from the GPU. Your issue is the internal Display/Display Assembly.


In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


Get your mac repaired and how much will it cost

Mac Repair and Service - Apple Support


Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support




For your Popup issue with mcAfee—


ref Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari

Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari - Apple Support -Apple Support


Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support



more—

Typically unwanted browser redirects are most always the result of something you installed

ref: Removing "Search Marquis" / "Search Baron" / etc on your own — John Galt

Removing "Search Marquis" / "Search Baron… - Apple Community


MrHoffman—docs/Doc: Scam Pop-ups, Scam Viruses, Scam Receipts, Scam Purchase

Scam Pop-ups, Scam Viruses, Scam Receipts… - Apple Community





4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 14, 2025 3:24 PM in response to miphone59

for your hardware issue— take it in


Yes the external display comes direct from the GPU. Your issue is the internal Display/Display Assembly.


In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


Get your mac repaired and how much will it cost

Mac Repair and Service - Apple Support


Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support




For your Popup issue with mcAfee—


ref Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari

Block pop-up ads and windows in Safari - Apple Support -Apple Support


Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support



more—

Typically unwanted browser redirects are most always the result of something you installed

ref: Removing "Search Marquis" / "Search Baron" / etc on your own — John Galt

Removing "Search Marquis" / "Search Baron… - Apple Community


MrHoffman—docs/Doc: Scam Pop-ups, Scam Viruses, Scam Receipts, Scam Purchase

Scam Pop-ups, Scam Viruses, Scam Receipts… - Apple Community





Oct 14, 2025 12:11 PM in response to miphone59

Completely remove all McAfee components using the developers' instructions and extreme prejudice. Restart the computer and test.


Even If McAfee is not the cause, it can be masking the real culprit. The only benefits any Mac user get from overly-hyped anti-virus packages are:

  • loss of performance
  • loss of stability
  • convoluted, hard to solve issues
  • loss of money


If the eviction and restart do not clear the issue, then this is not a fix-at-home problem. Have Apple evaluate.

My MacBook Pro screen is flickering, while external displays look fine

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