Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen

I have this problem also, the lines flicker with mine. It occured while I kept my computer stationary without moving it at all. It's clearly a defect with the display because it happens without a cause. Apple should offer a free fix to people who have these lines regardless of warranty status. I can't pay the 700$ currently and it's ruining my computing experience.

The exact same issue is happening to my iMac 2021. I purchased it new in December 2021 in Denpasar, Indonesia, and it has worked perfectly for 2 years. I have taken the utmost care of it - no damage at all.

Suddenly, the bottom half of the screen filled with horizontal black lines. This happened about a week ago, and they went away. It happened again once more, before disappearing. Now they are back and not disappearing after shutting down and turning on again.

I can't believe that it is a coincidence that it is happening to so many people almost exactly 2 years after purchase.

Apple, we need you to investigate this, and to deal with this fairly.

There are only going to be more and more people with this problem.

Exact same issue popped up on my 2021 M1 24" iMac this week. Purchased it back in April 2022, so a little under 2 years. I have it connected to a secondary monitor, which works fine. Only the main iMac display's showing this issue. Have also tried resetting the iMac which didn't work.

Have an appointment scheduled at the Genius Bar in Singapore tomorrow, which I plan to cancel. There's no point bringing my device there only to be told to pay upwards of $800 to get a screen replacement done when I can get a Mac mini for the same price. Everyone in my family is on the apple ecosystem, including MacBooks and Mac minis because because we trust in the quality of Apple products so this happening is just shocking.

Friends, I was able to communicate with the senior support and they gave me free repair beyond warantee!

Here are the steps to use to do the same.

1. Submit the evidence and pictures on here Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMa… - Apple Community

2. Contact Mac and file a case using the steps below to speak with politeness and professionalism.

* Immediately ask for a manager and senior rep.

. Share the evidence that this is a well documented break down on Apple's manufacturing and state how long you have been a customer.

. Submit request for investigation. Then wait patiently.

Here are some perspectives you can take when negotiating with Apple

1. Known Issue:

1. Gather Evidence: Search online forums and news articles documenting similar screen issues with the 2021 M1 iMac 24". Highlight the number of affected users (hundreds) to demonstrate the widespread nature of the problem.
2. Present Calmly: State that you've discovered numerous reports of similar screen failures on M1 iMacs beyond warranty, suggesting a potential design or manufacturing flaw.

2. Reasonable Request:

1. Focus on a Solution: Don't just express frustration. Acknowledge their standard warranty policy but politely request a one-time exception due to the documented issue.
2. Be Open to Options: Express your willingness to consider a repair at a discounted rate or a partial store credit towards a newer model, depending on what they offer.

3. Emphasize Loyalty:

1. Positive Past Experiences: Briefly mention your history of using Apple products and your overall satisfaction (if applicable).
2. Future Customer: Express your hope to continue using Apple products but highlight that a fair resolution would solidify your trust in the brand.

Additional Tips:

1. Be Polite and Professional: Maintain a calm and respectful tone throughout the conversation.
2. Be Persistent: If your initial request is denied, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or manager and reiterate your points.
3. Document Everything: Keep copies of emails, chat transcripts, or call recordings if possible.

Here's an example script you can adapt:

"Hi, I'm contacting you about my 2021 M1 iMac 24" that recently developed lines on the screen. Unfortunately, it's beyond the warranty period.

While researching the issue, I came across numerous online reports of similar screen failures with this specific model. This suggests a potential widespread problem.

I understand your warranty policy, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could consider a one-time exception due to the documented issue. I'm a loyal Apple customer and would be happy to discuss options like a discounted repair or store credit towards a newer model.

Thank you for your time and consideration."

Remember, negotiation is a conversation. Be prepared to listen to their response and be flexible within reason.

By presenting your case with evidence, a reasonable request, and a positive tone, you increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

Hi everyone. As promised, here's my story of getting a replacement iMac without paying money but effort and time. I'll only present below the timeline of my story and a few comments for brevity (since what I have done is as same as what have been told in this thread):

• June 2021: bought iMac M1 in Spain. I didn't purchase AppleCare because Spanish law provides 2 year warranty (later even extended to 3 year warranty). Since iMac always stands at one place, meaning little risk of accidental damage, double insurances for 2/3 years (AppleCare + warranty provided by law) seem excessive
• May 2024: flickering horizontal lines suddenly appeared in the screen (totally out of blue)
• Soon visited Apple Genius Bar to ask about solution without bringing in my iMac, and was told the screen needed to be replaced on my cost
• September 2024: visited again Apple Genius Bar and brought my iMac with me. The staff examined my iMac and suggested the same solution as before
• October 2024: contacted Apple via chat, and was given a phone call, where talked to a lady first, and then a senior advisor. As result, no change to the solution offered
• Afterwards wrote a formal feedback to Apple about my iMac
• End of October 2024: suddenly received a phone call from Apple, asking to have a session in order to collect some information about my iMac. System metrics were collected during the session. I was told Apple would analyze the information and decided what to do.
• 2 weeks later, Apple called me and told me that they would like to collect my iMac and provide me a replacement with no cost. The model of the new iMac would be as close as the old one. However, they can not be identical in my case: M1 is not available any more, M4 instead; the basic keyboard of the new model does not have touchID; the basic adapter does not have ethernet interface
• January 2025: I received the new iMac today. It's as expected

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread! You guided me step by step in this journey. Wish all of you get a replacement!

I planed buying a few Apple products but halted my plan due to the shock caused by the iMac deficiency. I'm happy I can buy Apple again after the replacement!

This must be a software issue, all these reports seem to have suddenly happened in a short period of time with machines the same age.. this is my wife’s iMac and it started while she was using it.. just suddenly popped up like it. Turned it off for 24 hours but still the same.

Just stumbled upon this thread. It happened to me today.

I can’t believe the similarities too - approx 2 years of use, abrupt development of vertical lines, scorching heat on top corner of the screen.

I called Apple support and asked if this was a common occurrence, and was told that they have gotten calls about it.

I think it would raise awareness around the issue if we called to report en masse.

800 186 1087 (toll-free, if anyone needs it).

Please let Apple know that this is a major issue:

We all have to make a feedback form with this link:

Feedback - iMac - Apple

TOO HOT TOO HANDLE

it’s not just happening to me too.

I bought mine in November 2021 and the same thing started happening April 2023.

I immediately made an appointment with the local local Apple service center here in the Philippines and left it with them for almost a week. They told me the same thing to have the display replaced at around US$800 with no guarantee that it would solve the problem. I did not have it replaced because of this.

I wasn’t aware that this thread regarding the display problem was already in the Apple community. Besides all of the symptoms that I’ve read in this thread, has anyone been in been experiencing heat coming from any part of the iMac body? Mine is at the upper right hand corner of my unit. In the beginning, I did start using an external display to be able to use the iMac, however, while I was cleaning the screen of my iMac, I noticed that that top right part was getting discolored and when I touched it, it was really too hot to touch, that it almost burned my finger.

So since this time in about May 2023, my iMac has been a fixture in the house and I haven’t been able to use it since then. Really hoping to see where how this will be handled, this is the first time any of my Apple devices stopped or couldn’t be used in just two years of use.🙏🏽

I've got the same issue too, purchased my iMac in August 2021. The lines started appearing November last year, about 2 years after the purchase.

Brought my iMac to the apple store and yes they offered a screen replacement which cost about SGD$900+

decided to not go with it as the lines are only at the bottom of the screen, hoping it wouldn't spread even further.

As you can see from the pictures attached, the black horizontal lines started off very faint and fine, it got darker the very next day, then about a month later it spiked suddenly. The lines would often flicker on and off too.

I've read multiple forums and threads on why is this happening and it seems like the only solution is to get an external display (which I did and it was fine on the external display). It also seems that most people are experiencing it 2 years after getting their iMac, coincidence or no?

This situation has really made me loose trust in Apple's product.

Please investigate this.

I’ve been having the very same problem for a very well maintained 24” iMac M1 purchased in July 2021. This is very clearly a manufacturing defect. There’s no reason for a lot of people to have this issue pop out of nowhere exactly 2 years later. How do we go about claiming manufacturing defect? Any advice would be valuable. Ain’t no way am I going to pay 600+ dollars for a defect that took only 2 years to pop up.

I just received my repaired Imac. every thing looks beautiful and it is just like new! It only took 3 days total to fix and I paid zero :)

I am very thankful.

Overal process:

1. Kept apple in good consciousness and practiced released judgment and frustration and remained in forgiveness and non-attached frequency. 2 Reached to chat support and requested senior advisor 3. Had a genuine conversion about my appreciation for apple and how there is a case of manufacturing that can be happy to any company and requested for them to investigate this thread - as it is well documented. (Thanks to all of you) 4. She forwarded it to engineers and requested the photos and files from me, and within a few days had been approved for repair.

I trust this can be done for all the other people with the same issue and hopefully in the future if it happened again they can upgrade us to a newer model. May be we can all get an M3 ? :P

Talk soon!

Hi everyone. Please be sure to report this issue directly to Apple via the Support Chat at https://getsupport.apple.com/solutions. They now have an Apple internal tracking number to capture reports specifically for this display issue on the 2021 iMac. If all goes well, this is a pre-cursor to an official out of warranty free repair program.

I learned about this while at the Genius bar with my 2021 iMac. The tech showed me the info on his support device that this issue is being tracked under an official Apple support issue number. It was like EF something. Anyway, DEFINITELY REPORT THIS ISSUE DIRECTLY TO APPLE SUPPORT!

as an apply fanboy, im shocked at their response to this.

first apple product to fail on me, and judging from how fast it went, not the last sadly