A flickering screen doesn’t always mean it’s the end of your monitor’s life. Often, it’s a simple software glitch that can be resolved with a few tweaks. Below we are listing the most effective solutions to fix the screen flickering problem.
Note: Sometimes it’s just a temporary glitch that can be solved by restarting the PC. Before following the below solutions, fully shut down the PC and restart it.
Content
- Do the Task Manager Test
- Update Display Drivers
- Adjust the Monitor Refresh Rate
- Disable Hardware Acceleration
- Use Native Screen Resolution
- Adjust Screen Scaling
- Configure Monitor OSD Menu
- Reset GPU Settings
- Try Another User Profile
- Check Cables For Any Damage
- Try Another Monitor
Do the Task Manager Test
Before we go towards the solutions, it’s good to filter out if it’s a Windows or a third-party software problem. This will help you focus your efforts on the right problem.
To test it, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys. Now check whether the Task Manager is also flickering or not. If it’s not flickering, then it’s probably a third-party app issue because the Task Manager operates at a different privilege level compared to third-party apps. If it’s flickering as well, then it’s a Windows or hardware issue.
When it’s an app issue, try updating or uninstalling recently installed apps, especially apps that manage the display, like adjusting visual themes or creating custom resolutions. For deeper Windows issues, check out the below solutions.
Update Display Drivers
In most cases, screen flickering is caused by outdated display drivers. Although Windows updater can install the display drivers, it often fails to find the latest one. That’s why we recommend using a driver updater app to automatically get the latest drivers for your graphics card.
You just need to scan the PC using the tool and it will tell you which drivers are outdated. If a graphics card driver update is available, click on Update to let the tool both download and install it.
Adjust the Monitor Refresh Rate
Screen flickering can also happen if your monitor is running at a lower or higher refresh rate than its native capacity. For example, if you have a 60Hz monitor, then using a 48Hz or 75Hz refresh rate can cause screen flickering and other glitches. Here’s how to choose the right one in Windows:
Go to System -> Display in Windows Settings. Scroll to the bottom and click Advanced display. Select the refresh rate in the Choose a refresh rate section. You should choose the native refresh rate your monitor manual suggests. If you don’t know the exact refresh rate, then choose different ones to see which one fixes screen flickering.
Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration is known to cause screen flickering if your GPU can’t handle it. You should try disabling hardware acceleration in Windows to see if it fixes the problem.
In Windows Settings, go to System -> Display -> Graphics and disable the Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling option.
Hardware acceleration can also be individually enabled in apps that support it. This can cause flickering when using that app or even when it’s running in the background. You should check the settings of your running apps to ensure hardware acceleration is disabled if available. Google Chrome is a common app that has this feature.
Use Native Screen Resolution
Monitors have a default screen resolution at which they work best. If you have changed the default resolution, you might face screen resolution problems; including flickering.
To switch to the correct resolution, open Windows Settings and go to System -> Display.
Select Display resolution that has “(Recommended)” written next to it.
Adjust Screen Scaling
Similar to resolution, screen scaling can also cause flickering if not using the recommended one. You need to use the right scaling percentage and method. In the same Display settings, you’ll find the Scale option. Make sure the “(Recommended)” one is selected.
To select the scaling method, scroll down and go to Advanced display -> Display adapter properties.
Move to your graphics manufacturer’s control panel tab and select Maintain Display Scaling in the Scaling section.
Configure Monitor OSD Menu
Monitors usually have an on-screen display (OSD) menu where you can adjust many options that directly impact monitor output. Some of these settings can possibly cause screen flickering. We recommend you first use the Auto Adjustment feature to let the monitor optimize the display.
Image source:
Flickr
If that doesn’t fix the problem, try to disable special features like Overdrive, Game Mode, Dynamic Contrast, ECO Mode, FreeSync/G-Sync, etc. If none of these fix the problem, try to reset to settings to factory defaults. This should fix flickering if it was caused by bad OSD menu configuration.
Reset GPU Settings
If you have messed around in your GPU software settings, then one of its features might be causing the issue. Thankfully, almost all the GPU manufacturer software come with a reset button to reset the changes. You’ll have to look for an option like Restore Defaults or Reset Settings in the GPU software to undo the changes.
Try Another User Profile
There can be many types of user profile corruption that can cause screen flickering issues. You should see if the problem persists when using another user profile. You can use a secondary profile if available. Otherwise, activate the super administrator account and see if the problem is fixed in it.
If the issue doesn’t occur in the super account, then you can create a new user account and transfer the user data to the new account.
In Windows Settings, go to Accounts -> Other users and click on Add account to create a new user account.
Check Cables For Any Damage
If all the software tweaks didn’t work, it might be due to cable damage. You can physically inspect both the power and display cables for any cuts, fraying, or sharp twists, especially near the connectors. You should also check the connectors for any bent or broken pins.
A small test can also help further confirm it. First, firmly connect the cables and then wiggle the cable to see if the flickering gets worse. If it does, it’s probably due to damaged cable or loose connectors. You’ll have to buy a new cable if it’s the cause.
Try Another Monitor
If it’s not a software issue and the cables are fine as well, you can do this one last test before considering replacing the monitor. Connect your PC to another monitor and see if the flickering still occurs. If it does, then it’s definitely a software issue and you can try resetting the Windows instead.
If you don’t have a second monitor and can’t borrow one either, then you can use your TV as a monitor if it has an HDMI port. Even if that’s not possible, you can use your tablet or smartphone as a secondary monitor.
If the problem is software-related, one of the above solutions will surely be able to fix it. Lastly, we’ll also recommend you boot into Safe Mode and see if the issue persists. Since safe mode only uses essential drivers and programs, it can bypass many software problems.
Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Karrar Haider.
Karrar Haider –
Staff Writer
Karrar is drenched in technology and always fiddles with new tech opportunities. He has a bad habit of calling technology “Killer”, and doesn’t feel bad about spending too much time in front of the PC. If he is not writing about technology, you will find him spending quality time with his little family.
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