If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 screen is constantly flickering, information technology'south likely because you have a troublesome application installed or an unsuitable display driver. It'due south time for yous to resolve that annoying screen flash.

The problem often begins when upgrading to Windows ten/11 from a previous version of the operating organization, but it can occur at any time. We're going to prove you various methods to fix a Windows x or Windows eleven flashing screen.

Perform This Screen Flickering Examination Commencement

First, y'all demand to establish what might exist causing the flickering screen. To do this, open Task Manager past pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously.

Alternatively, on Windows 10 you tin can correct-click your taskbar and select Job Managing director. You don't actually need to use Chore Manager, but y'all practise need it open.

windows 11 desktop with task manager

Now, watch your screen to come across if Task Manager flickers. If it does, along with everything else on the screen, the trouble is likely caused by your hardware or a faulty brandish driver. On the other manus, if everything except Task Manager flickers, the result is likely due to an awarding.

If it'south the erstwhile, follow the instructions below in order. If information technology's the latter, skip to step 5. That said, if the communication there doesn't piece of work, check the communication in the other sections as well.

1. Bank check Your Monitor and Cables

If you have a flashing screen, the showtime matter to rule out is the hardware. Check all the cablevision connections from the monitor to the computer—take them out and plug them dorsum in to ensure the cables are secure.

If y'all take a spare monitor cable, try using information technology instead. Or purchase a replacement online, since information technology'southward an inexpensive purchase. Cables can dethrone over time, or maybe a pet has had a sneaky chew. Either way, switch the cable and see if information technology stops screen flickering.

If yous tin can, try a different monitor. If this resolves the trouble, you know it's your monitor that's the issue. At that point, contact the manufacturer for support or to enhance a warranty claim.

2. Set the Right Refresh Rate

A monitor's refresh rate is the speed at which the screen updates the image per second, measured in hertz (Hz). Basic monitors can usually only handle a 60Hz refresh rate, while more than advanced ones—typically aimed at gamers—can go upward to 360Hz.

Information technology's of import that you set a suitable refresh rate for your monitor. Sometimes a monitor manufacturer will support an overclocked refresh rate, but this tin cause screen flickering.

windows 11 advanced display

To conform your refresh rate:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Click System > Display.
  3. Click Advanced brandish settings (Windows 10) or Advanced brandish (Windows 11).
  4. Use the Refresh rate dropdown and incrementally select lower rates until the screen flashing stops. If the flashing continues, revert to your monitor's recommended refresh rate.

3. Reset Your Display Commuter

The screen flashing could exist caused by your display driver. You might have an old commuter or a faulty new one. Let'southward make sure you are running the right version for your system.

Remove the Driver

First, boot Windows in safe mode:

windows 11 recovery
  1. Printing Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Select Update & Security > Recovery (Windows ten) or System > Recovery (Windows 11).
  3. Underneath Advanced start-up, click Restart now.
  4. When your organization restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Restart.
  5. Again, one time restarted, select option 5 to launch your PC into Condom Style with Networking.

Next, use Device Manager to uninstall the brandish driver:

uninstall display device drivers
  1. Press Windows key + 10 and click Device Manager.
  2. Double-click on Display adaptors to expand the category.
  3. Right-click your graphics menu, click Uninstall device, check Delete the driver software for this device and then click OK.
  4. Restart your system again.

Alternatively, yous can use third-party software Brandish Driver Uninstaller, which volition completely wipe any traces of the driver from your system.

Install a New Driver

You now want to install the latest driver for your system. Windows Update volition provide the commuter information technology thinks is uniform with your arrangement. To practise this:

  1. Press Windows Fundamental + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Update & Security (Windows x) or Windows Update (Windows xi).
  3. Click Check for updates.

Alternatively, you tin can go to your graphics bill of fare manufacturer's website (likely AMD, Nvidia, or Intel) and manually download the driver from there.

Download the commuter, install it, and run across if the screen flashing problem has ceased.

Roll Back to an Older Commuter

If the trouble continues, it might be that the newest driver hasn't patched the problem. If the screen flickering occurred subsequently a commuter update, endeavor rolling back to an older version.

Follow the steps above to uninstall the commuter, and then head to the old commuter page for either AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel. This might be a bit of trial and mistake, but effort selecting one released when your screen wasn't flickering.

4. Reseat Your Graphics Card

If the trouble isn't with your brandish driver, it doesn't mean your graphics carte du jour isn't to blame. If your graphics carte isn't seated correctly in your motherboard, it can cause your monitor display to flicker on and off.

You tin easily check this if your motherboard has inbuilt graphics. Remove the monitor cable from your graphics carte du jour and plug it into the motherboard's display slot instead. If the flashing stops, you lot know the graphics bill of fare is the trouble.

Power off your PC, unplug everything, open the case, and remove your graphics carte from the motherboard. And then advisedly reseat it, ensuring the carte firmly clips into the motherboard. Of course, don't do this if you're not comfortable working inside a reckoner because you might make things worse.

If this doesn't fix it, your graphics card might be faulty. Contact the manufacturer for support or to claim on the warranty.

5. Uninstall Problematic Applications

Some apps are incompatible with Windows 10/eleven and can cause screen flickering. Think about whether you installed whatever new software before the screen flashing began or if an app recently updated. In the by, three problematic apps have been Norton Antivirus, iCloud, and IDT Audio.

Across all your applications, make sure you're running the latest versions. Either update inside the app itself or head to the respective official websites and download the most upwards-to-date release. Alternatively, check the developer's support page for recently updated apps to come across if screen flashing is known as a recent bug.

windows 11 apps and features

If this doesn't work, uninstall the program. To exercise so:

  1. Press Windows Primal + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Apps > Apps & features.
  3. Click Sort by and choose Installation date.
  4. Click the offending app and click Uninstall. You may demand to restart your system for the changes to take full effect.

6. Create a New Windows User Contour

How do you lot terminate your laptop or computer screen from flickering? Well, many Windows 10 and Windows 11 issues can oftentimes be solved past creating a new user profile. Screen flickering is i of them.

windows 11 family and other users

To create a new account:

  1. Press Windows Primal + I to open Settings.
  2. Become to Accounts > Family & other users.
  3. Click Add someone else to this PC (Windows 10) or Add together business relationship (Windows 11) and follow the wizard.

Windows Screen Flickers... No More!

As with nigh Windows 10/11 bug, no 1 fix will work for anybody. Hopefully, ane of the steps above has solved your Windows 10 or Windows 11 screen flashing trouble.

If information technology is time for a new monitor, at that place are plenty of productive and fun things you tin can practice with the old ane. Otherwise, take it off for recycling and so it can rest in monitor heaven.

What to Do With Old Computer Monitors: 5 Useful Ideas

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About The Author

Joe Keeley (895 Articles Published)

Joe was born with a keyboard in his easily and immediately started writing about technology. He has a BA (Hons) in Business and is now a full-time freelance writer who enjoys making tech simple for everyone.

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