How to Fix Laptop Screen Delay After Windows 10 Anniversary Update: Quick Solutions

Experiencing a delay on your laptop screen after updating to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update can be frustrating. This lag usually happens when the display takes longer than usual to respond to your inputs or when the screen refresh feels sluggish.

The good news is that there are simple steps you can follow to fix this issue without needing advanced technical knowledge. This guide will walk you through quick and easy solutions to get your laptop screen running smoothly again.

Most of these fixes focus on updating drivers, adjusting settings, and optimizing your system performance. Following them carefully will help reduce or eliminate the screen delay.

Let’s begin with some quick checks before diving into detailed troubleshooting.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Restart Your Laptop: Sometimes, a simple restart clears temporary glitches causing screen delay.
Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your system is fully updated as Microsoft often releases fixes after major updates.
Close Unnecessary Programs: Running many applications can slow down your computer and affect screen responsiveness.
Verify Power Settings: Using “Power saver” mode can reduce performance. Switch to “Balanced” or “High performance” for better responsiveness.

Step 1: Update Your Display Drivers

Display drivers control how your laptop communicates with the screen. Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause delays.

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section to see your graphics card.
Right-click your display adapter and choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Follow any prompts to install updates, then restart your laptop.

Why this matters: Updated drivers improve compatibility and performance, often fixing display lags caused by software issues.

Step 2: Adjust Graphics Settings

Sometimes, adjusting your graphics performance preferences can reduce screen delay.

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Go to System > Display > Graphics settings.
Under “Choose an app to set preference,” select Desktop app and click Browse.
Locate the program where you notice lag (for example, your browser or game).
Click on the app, then select Options.
Choose High performance and click Save.

Why this matters: Prioritizing high performance for specific apps reduces delays caused by power-saving features or integrated graphics.

Step 3: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a Windows feature that speeds up boot time but can sometimes cause hardware delays.

Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter to open Control Panel.
Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left.
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended).
Click Save changes and restart your laptop.

Why this matters: Disabling Fast Startup can resolve driver initialization conflicts that cause screen lag after updates.

Step 4: Run the Windows Troubleshooter for Display

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can detect and fix common problems automatically.

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Click Additional troubleshooters.
Select Video Playback and click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.

Why this matters: This tool can identify system or driver issues that you might miss manually.

Alternative Method: Roll Back the Display Driver

If updating the driver doesn’t help, rolling back to a previous version may fix the issue, especially if the latest driver is incompatible.

Open Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters and right-click your graphics card.
Select Properties.
Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver if available.
Follow prompts and restart your laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did my screen start delaying after the Anniversary Update?

The update changes some system files and drivers, which may cause conflicts with existing hardware drivers, especially the graphics driver.

Can a virus cause screen delay?

While possible, screen delay is usually related to drivers or system settings. Running a virus scan is still recommended to rule out malware.

Will resetting Windows fix the delay?

Resetting Windows can fix persistent problems but is a last resort as it removes apps and settings. Try other fixes first.

Does screen delay affect battery life?

Indirectly, yes. Screen lag can cause your laptop to work harder, using more power and potentially draining your battery faster.

Can hardware issues cause screen delay?

Yes, faulty cables, connectors, or the screen itself can cause delays. If software fixes don’t work, consider hardware diagnostics.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the above steps and still experience screen delay, here are some final options to consider:

Contact Laptop Manufacturer Support: They can provide device-specific solutions or repair options.
Visit Microsoft Support: Use the official Windows support page for advanced troubleshooting and updates: support.microsoft.com/windows.
Consider a System Restore: Restore your laptop to a point before the Anniversary Update to see if that resolves the issue.
Check for Hardware Problems: Use diagnostic tools provided by your laptop brand to test the display hardware.

Conclusion

Screen delay after the Windows 10 Anniversary Update is a common but fixable issue. By updating or rolling back display drivers, adjusting graphics settings, disabling Fast Startup, and using Windows troubleshooters, you can often restore smooth display performance.

Remember to start with simple checks like restarting your laptop and verifying updates before moving to more advanced steps. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek professional support or use system restore options.

Following these detailed but easy-to-understand steps will help you enjoy a responsive and lag-free laptop screen once again.