What happens if you're working on an important task and suddenly your computer screen starts flickering? Yes, screen flickering is one of the common issues we often encounter. It's not just an issue but also an extremely annoying one. Did you know it can cause some health issues too, such as headaches and eye strain? Don't worry, we'll guide you on how to quickly and effectively fix the computer screen flickering issue.
1. Perform Basic Test First
Finding Solutions for Any Issue Often Begins with Understanding the Root Cause. Firstly, Identify What Could Be Causing the Screen Flickering Problem. To Do This, Open Task Manager by Pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Right-Clicking on the Taskbar and Selecting Task Manager. You Don't Actually Need to Use Task Manager, but You Need to Open It.
There Are 2 Scenarios:
- If Task Manager Doesn't Flicker, an Application Might Be the Culprit.
- If Task Manager Flickers, the Display Driver Might Be Behind the Issue.
2. Fix Computer Screen Flickering
2.1. Application-Induced Screen Flickering
Microsoft has identified 3 applications causing screen flickering issues: Norton AntiVirus, iCloud, and IDT Audio. Consider if you've installed any of these software before the screen flickering occurred.
In the case of Norton AntiVirus, the issue has been acknowledged by Symantec, and they have released a specific fix for it. If you're using Norton, visit their official website and follow the provided steps to resolve the issue. You also need to ensure you're on the latest version for all 3 of these applications. Updates can be done within the apps themselves or on the respective official websites by downloading the latest updates.
If ineffective, consider uninstalling the software. To do this, press the Windows + I key combination to open Settings. There, click on Apps to display a list of all apps in the system. Locate the culprit, click on it, and select Uninstall. You may need to restart the system for the changes to take effect.
2.2. Screen Flickering Due to Display Driver
The display driver could be the cause of screen flickering. If so, ensure you're running the correct driver version.
- Remove Driver
First, enter Safe Mode by pressing the Windows + I key combination to open Settings. Select Update & Security > Recovery. Under Advanced start-up, click Restart now.
When your system restarts, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Restart. Upon restart, click option number 5 to boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking.
Next, press the Windows + X key combination and click on Device Manager. Click on the arrow next to Display drivers to expand the list. Right-click on the graphics card, select Uninstall device, check the box for Delete the driver for this device, and press Ok. Restart the computer again.
- Install New Driver
Now, you need to update to the latest driver for your system. Windows Update will provide the latest driver version it deems compatible with your system. To do this, press the Windows + I key combination and navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. Download, install, and check if the issue has been resolved.
- Revert to Previous Driver
If the issue persists, the latest driver may not have resolved the problem. If screen flickering still occurs after updating the driver, try reverting to an older version. Follow the steps above to uninstall the driver, then visit the AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel website and select older driver versions to see if any of them address the issue. Refer to how to update VGA driver for computer screen here.
2.3. Create a New User Profile
If you're using Windows 10, many Windows 10 errors are often resolved by creating a new user profile, and this method can be effective for screen flickering issues.
To create a new user profile, press the Windows + I key combination and select Accounts > Family & other people > Add someone else to this PC. Then follow the instructions.
Hopefully, the methods mentioned above will help you diagnose and resolve the issue. If you can't pinpoint the exact cause of the problem, it's best to contact a technician for assistance. Sometimes, you may not realize it, but your screen may be too old to the point where it could cause this annoying flickering issue. Also, if you encounter the phenomenon of your computer screen rotating 180 degrees, refer to how to fix computer screen upside down here.
