blinking horizontal glitch on menu bar

[jenniferm]

For whatever reason, I noticed the other day that there was this horizontal screen glitch that appeared on the top menu bar on my 2017 Macbook Pro. At first, it was static and would only glitch whenever I moved the cursor on the trackpad, but now it is just there permanently. I've noticed when I've turned off my computer, it goes away when I re-boot- but usually comes back after a few hours.

The laptop itself doesn't feel hot, I don't use it on my bed or couch or anything, so I feel like the fan is able to work. I have no idea what this thing is, and I'm really worried because my MacBook has not given me ANY issues thus far. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

The only thing I feel like it maybe could be is I spilled some coffee around my laptop the other week, but only a few drops or so got close to the trackpad. Could some have gotten inside the trackpad/keyboard and that's what is causing the line?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

If the lid was up and the coffee was only a few drops near the trackpad, it shouldn't affect the display.

Can you upload some photos of what the issue looks like?

C

 

[jenniferm]

It's a little hard to see, but when the flickering happens it's actually a black and pink color. I just updated my software to Big Sur and the bar is suddenly gone...? Not sure if Catalina had anything to do with it. The bar might come back though, that's how it's been other times.

https://imgur.com/a/7NiMcJJ

 

[jenniferm]

Ok now the bar is back after about 2 hours of using the laptop :/

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hi,

It sounds like a thermal issue, since it starts after the Mac has been on for a while. I guess it could still be related to the coffee spill - maybe some got on the logic board itself and is affecting the graphics chip/panel connection.

Without being able to see the Mac in person, it will be hard to diagnose for sure. If you have an external display available, you could connect it and see if the issue happens there too. If so, then it's the graphics chip/logic board. If not, it may be the LCD panel connector.

C