A flickering screen can make using your Windows 10 computer incredibly frustrating. Whether you’re trying to watch videos, work on projects, or simply browse the web, a screen that flickers or blinks intermittently can be a major productivity killer.
The good news is that screen flickering is often fixable with a few simple troubleshooting steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common causes of screen flickering on Windows 10 and provide you with practical solutions to resolve the issue.
Let’s get started and get your screen back to normal!
What Causes Screen Flickering on Windows 10?
Screen flickering can happen for a variety of reasons. Some common causes include:
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Outdated graphics drivers: Incompatible or outdated drivers can cause screen flickering.
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Hardware issues: Faulty cables or a damaged screen may also be to blame.
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Software conflicts: Certain applications or settings may be causing instability.
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Display settings: Incorrect refresh rate or resolution settings can lead to flickering.
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External monitors: If you’re using a secondary monitor, improper settings or faulty connections can cause flickering.
Now that we understand some common causes, let’s walk through how to troubleshoot and fix the issue.
Step 1: Restart Your Computer
Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, the first step should always be to restart your computer. Sometimes, minor software glitches or temporary conflicts can cause the screen to flicker, and restarting can resolve these issues.
How to restart:
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Click on the Start menu.
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Select the Power button and choose Restart.
If the flickering disappears after restarting, it may have been a temporary software glitch. If not, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Update Your Graphics Drivers
One of the most common causes of screen flickering is outdated or incompatible graphics drivers. Graphics drivers control how your computer communicates with its display hardware, and if these drivers are outdated, it can cause display issues, including flickering.
How to Update Graphics Drivers
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Right‑click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
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Expand the Display Adapters section.
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Right‑click your graphics card and select Update Driver.
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Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
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Let Windows search for updates and install any available updates.
Once your graphics drivers are updated, restart your computer and check if the flickering issue has been resolved.
Tip:
If the Update Driver option doesn’t resolve the issue, you can visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest driver manually.
Step 3: Adjust Your Display Settings (Refresh Rate)
Incorrect display settings, especially the refresh rate, can cause screen flickering. The refresh rate defines how many times the image on your screen is refreshed per second. If the refresh rate is set too high or too low for your monitor, it may lead to flickering.
How to Adjust the Refresh Rate
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Right‑click on the desktop and select Display settings.
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Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
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Under Refresh rate, choose a lower setting (usually 60Hz is ideal for most monitors).
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Click Apply, and confirm the changes.
Try testing different refresh rates to see if it helps reduce the flickering. If you’re using an external monitor, check the monitor’s specifications for the optimal refresh rate.
Step 4: Disable Hardware Acceleration in Apps
Hardware acceleration allows apps to use your GPU to improve performance. However, some apps, especially web browsers or video players, can cause screen flickering when this feature is enabled.
How to Disable Hardware Acceleration
For Google Chrome:
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Open Chrome.
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Click on the three vertical dots in the top right and go to Settings.
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Scroll down and click Advanced.
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Under the System section, toggle off Use hardware acceleration when available.
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Restart Chrome.
For Microsoft Edge:
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Open Edge.
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Click on the three dots in the top right and go to Settings.
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Scroll down and click System and performance.
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Toggle off Use hardware acceleration when available.
After disabling hardware acceleration, check if the flickering stops. If you use other apps that may have hardware acceleration enabled (such as video editors or other browsers), try turning off the feature within those apps as well.
Step 5: Check for Windows 10 Updates
Windows 10 regularly releases updates to improve system performance and fix bugs. An outdated version of Windows can sometimes cause display issues, including flickering.
How to Check for Windows Updates
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Go to Settings → Update & Security.
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Click on Windows Update and then select Check for updates.
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Install any available updates.
Once your system is updated, restart your computer and check if the flickering persists.
Step 6: Run a System Scan for Malware
Malware or viruses can sometimes interfere with the normal functioning of your system and cause screen flickering. Running a system scan can help rule out this cause.
How to Run a System Scan
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Open Windows Security by searching for it in the Start menu.
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Click on Virus & Threat Protection.
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Select Quick Scan or Full Scan (for a more thorough check).
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Follow the prompts to complete the scan.
If malware is detected, follow the prompts to quarantine or remove the threats. Afterward, restart your computer and check for flickering again.
Step 7: Check for Faulty Cables or Connections (for External Monitors)
If you’re using an external monitor, faulty cables or loose connections could be causing the flickering. Inspect the cables connected to your PC and monitor, and make sure they’re securely plugged in.
Tips for External Monitors:
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Try a different HDMI or DisplayPort cable.
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Ensure the monitor’s input settings match the cable you’re using.
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Test the monitor with a different device to see if the issue persists.
Step 8: Perform a System Restore
If your iPhone is still flickering despite trying all the steps above, you can perform a system restore to return your computer to a previous state when the screen wasn’t flickering.
How to Perform a System Restore
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Search for Create a restore point in the Start menu and select it.
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Under the System Protection tab, click System Restore.
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Follow the prompts to choose a restore point before the issue started.
This will revert your computer to a previous, stable state without affecting your personal files, though apps or settings changed after the restore point may need to be reinstalled.
FAQ – Common Questions About Screen Flickering
Q1: Why does my laptop screen flicker on Windows 10?
Flickering can occur due to outdated drivers, incorrect display settings, or software conflicts. The above steps can help resolve this issue.
Q2: Can a faulty graphics card cause screen flickering?
Yes. A faulty or failing graphics card can cause display issues, including flickering. If you’ve ruled out other causes, it may be time to check or replace the graphics card.
Q3: Can screen flickering be caused by a monitor?
Yes, especially if you’re using an external monitor. Poor cable connections, outdated monitor firmware, or incompatible refresh rates can cause flickering.
Q4: How do I check if my drivers are outdated?
You can check and update your drivers through Device Manager. Right‑click on Start, select Device Manager, and update drivers for your display adapter or graphics card.
Q5: Does the refresh rate affect screen flickering?
Yes. If your refresh rate is set incorrectly, it can cause flickering. Set it to a compatible value (usually 60Hz or 120Hz) for your monitor.
Final Thoughts — Keep Your Display Flicker-Free
Screen flickering on your Windows 10 computer can be a frustrating problem, but it’s usually something you can fix with a few simple steps. From updating drivers to adjusting display settings and checking cables, these troubleshooting tips can help you resolve the issue quickly and get back to your work or entertainment without interruptions.
By following this guide, you’ll be able to diagnose the root cause of the flickering and take the necessary actions to fix it. And if the issue persists, don’t hesitate to consult a professional for help with hardware‑related problems.