Windows 10 Troubleshooting: Screen Flickering

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Introduction

A flickering screen is an annoying problem. It causes eye strain, headache, etc. Moreover, it’s a pain while working or watching a movie on your system.

Troubleshooting

Display Drivers

Microsoft has already addressed this problem in Troubleshoot screen flickering in Windows 10.

In that article, incompatible display drivers and a few third-party apps have been referred as possible causes.

But there are a few more things to be counted on to get to the root of the problem.

Low Refresh Rate

The rate at which your monitor updates is measured in Hertz. One Hertz is equal to one cycle per second. If your monitor is set to update at a rate of 100 Hertz, then it is refreshing 100 times per second.

Now, if the refresh rate is set low then there is a possibility of screen flickering. The most common refresh rate is set at 60 Hertz.

*In case of Windows 10, check the following settings:

  • Open Control Panel
  • Click Display
  • Change display settings
  • Click Advanced display settings
  • Click Display adapter properties under Related settings
  • Click Monitor tab
  • Check Screen refresh rate. If it is low, then change to the optimum from the drop down menu.
  • Click OK or Apply.

Make sure you are using the latest display driver. If it’s an outdated driver then Windows uses a generic driver, the number of refresh rates available may be limited. Visit the manufacturer website and download the latest driver for your version of Windows. Alternatively, you may update the same via Windows Update.

 

Hide modes that this monitor cannot display option

You will find this option under the Monitor Tab. Make sure you have unchecked this option. By unchecking this option, you can customize Windows to use any refresh rate for your monitor that you want.

Defective display cable

If the HDMI cable or DVI/VGA cable is defective, then there may be signal drop which may result in lower refresh rates.

Change input port

You may change the input port to check the issue. For example, HDMI to DVI port switch over.

Electromagnetic field

If your monitor is near an electromagnetic field, then there is a possibility of screen flickering.

Using the same power strip

If there are other devices attached to the same power strip, then switching on/off results a power surge change. The end result is screen flickering.

Hardware issues

If updating the display driver doesn’t help, then check your graphic card. Make sure it is properly seated to the slot. You may need a blower to remove dust from it.

Attach your system with a second monitor. Does it still flicker? If so, then there may be a problem with the graphic card (after checking all other possibilities including updating display driver).

If the second monitor doesn’t flicker, then it’s a problem with your display screen or monitor.

 

*[Note in this article display properties settings referred from Windows 10 Enterprise version,1607,Build 14986.1001]