How to Fix MacBook Pro Horizontal Lines on Screen Issue

Despite being one of the best professional laptops in terms of build quality and performance, the MacBook Pro isn’t invincible. There are known hardware faults with the MacBook, which Apple acknowledges and gladly repairs. However, some challenges are not as ubiquitous as others, and we must solve them ourselves. Our MacBook Pro began to display horizontal lines on the screen. I’ll walk you through how we fix the MacBook Pro horizontal lines on screen issue in this article. Let’s get started.

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What Causes Horizontal Lines on MacBook Pro

Horizontal lines on your MacBook Pro display could be caused by a hardware problem, a software fault, or a mix of the two. Due to a hardware issue, our 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 model began to display horizontal lines. I’ve provided a step-by-step approach and shared my expertise to assist you to narrow down the problem.

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1. Reset SMC

The SMC, or System Management Controller, is in charge of all low-level activities like temperature management, battery monitoring, visual switching, and so on. You can start troubleshooting by resetting the SMC if your MacBook Pro is acting up and displays horizontal lines on the screen.

Here are the procedures to reset SMC on a MacBook Pro without Touch ID:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Hold the Shift + Ctrl + Option (Alt) keys together.
3. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds while holding all three keys.
4. Press the power button after releasing all keys on your Mac.

Here are the procedures to reset the SMC on a MacBook Pro with Touch ID:

1. Turn off your MacBook Pro.
2. Hold down the Left Ctrl + Left Option (Alt) + Right Shift keys at the same time.
3. Press and hold the Power button, as well as the other three keys, for 7 seconds.
4. Wait a few moments before pressing the power button to start your Mac.

If the problem persists after resetting the SMC, move on to the next step.

2. Check for an Existing Service Program for Your MacBook

The MacBook Pro, which was released in the last several years, experienced certain flaws, prompting Apple to create free worldwide service programs to address such issues. One of the most famous examples is Apple’s Butterfly Switch keyboard, which kept failing and was eventually replaced with a keyboard for free.

In our case, the MacBook Pro 2016’s display has horizontal lines. Thankfully, Apple offers a display-related servicing program for our MacBook Pro model. However, the concerned MacBook Pro notebooks have vertical bands of bright regions down the bottom, according to the Service program. If your MacBook has vertical lines on it, it might be qualified for the Service program. Contact Apple Support for an appointment and additional inquiries in this circumstance.

Unfortunately, our MacBook Pro did not qualify for the Service Program, and a total display replacement was priced at $600.

3. Try Ramping up the Internal Fans

After hours of investigation, I discovered that the horizontal lines on our MacBook Pro’s screen appear only when the computer is under stress and the processor is doing the heavy lifting, generating heat. The lines worsen as the temperature rises. One simple solution is to utilize a handy program that increases the fan speed to assist cool off the MacBook Pro.

You can try installing Macs Fan Control for free and manually adjusting the fan speeds to see if it helps. In our case, running fans on full blast did help but only for a short while. Results may vary especially if you’re in a hotter climate.

4. Use an External Monitor

Using an external monitor can help you figure out whether the problem is with the hardware or the program. The horizontal lines never appeared on the external monitor in our situation, indicating that the problem is with the MacBook’s display.

We utilized the MacBook by connecting an external monitor, and the combination worked quite well. Although the MacBook is essentially in Clamshell mode, purchasing a 32-inch 4K external monitor is less expensive than replacing the MacBook’s display.

5. Get Your MacBook Pro Serviced

Despite the fact that Clamshell mode works for us, it still disables the MacBook and binds it to a desk. If you’re on the road and want to use your MacBook as a laptop, your only choice is to have it repaired by Apple or a third-party repair shop. Apple estimates that a total display replacement will cost around $600, but third-party repair shops may offer a better deal.

Apple’s website allows you to submit a repair request, but it will only book an appointment if your MacBook Pro is still under warranty. If your MacBook Pro is no longer under warranty, you’ll need to visit your local Genius bar or call Apple Support for assistance.

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Final Verdict: Fix MacBook Pro Horizontal Lines on Screen Issue

So, there are your options for getting your MacBook Pro fixed. I chose to keep the MacBook Pro in Clamshell mode permanently because it never left the office desk in the first place, and it’s cheaper to buy an external monitor, wireless keyboard, and mouse than to replace the display from Apple. This way you can easily Fix MacBook Pro Horizontal Lines on Screen Issue. What are your thoughts about it? Would you want to have your MacBook display repaired or use it in Clamshell mode? Please notify me via Twitter.