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How to Fix Windows 10 Screen Flicker: Effective Solutions That Work

Experiencing screen flickering on your Windows 10 device can be frustrating and disruptive. This issue can have several causes, ranging from software glitches to hardware problems. Fortunately, there are effective solutions that you can try to fix the flickering and restore a smooth display.

This guide will walk you through simple and detailed steps to resolve Windows 10 screen flicker problems. Whether you’re a beginner or somewhat experienced, these instructions are easy to follow and explained clearly.

Take your time with each step and test your screen after applying the fix. This way, you can identify which solution works best for your specific case.

Let’s get started with some quick notes before diving into the troubleshooting process.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Before attempting any fixes, ensure the following:

  • Check for Loose or Damaged Cables: If you’re using a desktop or external monitor, verify that the video cable (HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort) is securely connected. A loose or damaged cable can cause flickering.
  • Restart Your Computer: Sometimes, a simple reboot can clear temporary glitches causing screen flicker.
  • Close Unnecessary Programs: Some apps, especially those that change screen brightness or refresh rates, can cause flickering.
  • Observe When Flickering Occurs: Note if flickering happens during specific activities or is constant. This information helps pinpoint the issue.

Step 1: Update Your Display Drivers

Display drivers control how your graphics hardware communicates with your operating system. Outdated or faulty drivers are a common cause of screen flickering.

  1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
  2. Expand Display Adapters: Click the arrow next to Display adapters to see your graphics card.
  3. Update the Driver: Right-click the graphics card and choose Update driver.
  4. Select Search Automatically: Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will look for the latest driver and install it if available.
  5. Restart Your PC: After updating, reboot your computer to apply the changes.

Why this matters: Updated drivers fix bugs and improve compatibility, reducing display issues like flickering.

Step 2: Check for Problematic Applications

Some applications, especially those that control screen colors, brightness, or overlays, might conflict with Windows display settings and cause flickering.

  1. Boot into Safe Mode: Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers and no third-party apps. To enter Safe Mode:
    • Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
    • Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
    • Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
    • After restart, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
    • Press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode.
  2. Observe the Screen: If flickering stops in Safe Mode, a third-party app is likely the culprit.
  3. Uninstall Problematic Apps: Exit Safe Mode and uninstall recently installed or suspicious apps related to screen control or graphics.

Alternative method: Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to disable startup apps one by one and identify the one causing flicker.

Step 3: Adjust Display Refresh Rate

The refresh rate is how many times per second your screen redraws the image. An incompatible refresh rate can cause flickering.

  1. Open Display Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
  2. Go to Advanced Display Settings: Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
  3. Select Display Adapter Properties: Click on Display adapter properties for Display 1 (or your relevant display).
  4. Change Refresh Rate: In the new window, go to the Monitor tab.
  5. Choose a Different Refresh Rate: From the dropdown under Screen refresh rate, select a lower or higher rate than current (commonly 60Hz or 75Hz).
  6. Apply and Confirm: Click Apply and confirm if the screen looks normal.

Why adjust this: Incorrect refresh rates can cause flicker because the monitor and graphics card are out of sync.

Step 4: Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration allows apps to use your GPU to perform tasks faster. However, sometimes it causes conflicts that result in flickering.

Here’s how to disable it in common apps like Google Chrome:

  1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
  2. Go to Settings > System.
  3. Turn off Use hardware acceleration when available.
  4. Restart Chrome and check if flickering persists.

Note: You may need to disable hardware acceleration in other apps where flickering is noticed, such as video players or graphic design software.

Step 5: Run System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted system files can cause display issues. The System File Checker tool scans and repairs these files.

  1. Press Windows Key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: 
    sfc /scannow
  3. Wait for the scan to complete. This may take several minutes.
  4. If any problems are found, the tool will attempt to fix them automatically.
  5. Restart your computer once the process finishes.

Why this helps: Fixing corrupted files can resolve underlying Windows issues causing screen flicker.

Step 6: Update Windows 10

Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve system stability.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows Key + I.
  2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Download and install any available updates.
  5. Restart your PC after updating.

Why update: Updates may contain patches specifically addressing display and driver issues.

When Nothing Works

If screen flickering continues after trying all the above steps, consider the following options:

  • Hardware Check: Test your monitor with another computer or try a different monitor with your PC. This helps determine if the issue is hardware-related.
  • Contact Manufacturer Support: Visit your PC or monitor manufacturer’s website for specialized troubleshooting or warranty service.
  • Use Official Microsoft Support: Access the Microsoft Support page for additional help.
  • Consider Professional Repair: If hardware faults are suspected, seek assistance from a certified technician.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my Windows 10 screen flicker randomly?

Screen flickering can be caused by outdated display drivers, incompatible apps, incorrect refresh rates, hardware issues, or corrupted system files.

How do I know if it’s a hardware or software problem?

Booting into Safe Mode or testing the monitor with a different device can help. If flickering stops in Safe Mode or with another monitor, it’s likely software-related. Persistent flickering may indicate hardware issues.

Can a virus cause screen flickering?

While rare, malware can affect system performance and potentially cause display issues. Running a full antivirus scan is always a good precaution.

Is it safe to update graphics drivers from the manufacturer’s website?

Yes, downloading drivers directly from the official GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) ensures you get the latest and safest versions.

Does changing the refresh rate damage my monitor?

No, as long as you select a refresh rate supported by your monitor, it is safe and may improve display performance.

Conclusion

Screen flickering on Windows 10 can be caused by a variety of factors, but most problems can be fixed by updating drivers, adjusting settings, or removing conflicting applications. Start with the simplest solutions like restarting your PC and checking cables, then move on to driver updates and system scans.

Always ensure your system is up to date and consider hardware checks if software fixes don’t help. By following these detailed steps carefully, you can resolve screen flicker issues and enjoy a stable, flicker-free display on your Windows 10 device.

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