Many MacBook Pro users have experienced screen flickering issues when using a multi-screen setup enabled by DisplayLink, especially on MacBook Pro 2018 and MacBook Pro 2019 laptops with discrete graphics cards. However, there is a simple solution to this problem.
When your computer is connected to an external display via DisplayLink, the automatic switching between graphics systems remains on. To stop the screen flickering, you need to turn this feature off. Here are the steps:
Go to the Apple menu, select System Preferences, and then click Energy Saver.
In the menu that appears, click the checkbox to deselect Automatic graphics switching.
If your computer does not show the automatic graphics switching option, it means it only has one graphics system. You can confirm this by following these steps:
Return to the Apple menu, click About This Mac, and then click the System Report button.
Select Graphics/Display and look under the Graphics section on the left to see the graphics system on your MacBook.
Once you complete these steps, your screen will no longer flicker when you connect to a USB-A or USB-C DisplayLink dock.
While this solution means compromising on graphics performance, it is the most viable option when using a DisplayLink-enabled solution. If you require outstanding graphics performance, it is recommended to consider a Purplelec Thunderbolt 3 docking station to get the most out of your Thunderbolt 3-enabled laptop.
Some MacBook Pro 2018/2019 models come with two graphics systems designed to provide the best experience for each of your applications. This switching between graphics systems can cause screen flickering when connected to a USB-A or USB-C docking station based on DisplayLink technology. This issue is not limited to Purplelec docking stations that utilize DisplayLink technology.
