Is your laptop screen flickering? Screen flickering is a common and annoying problem where your display flashes, blinks, or shows visual glitches. It can happen on any laptop brand — HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, or MacBook. The flickering can make it difficult to work and may indicate a hardware or software issue.
In this guide, we'll help you identify the cause and walk you through proven solutions to fix laptop screen flickering on Windows 10/11.
How to Check If Screen Flickering Is Hardware or Software
First, let's determine whether the flickering is caused by software or hardware:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- Watch if Task Manager itself flickers:
- Task Manager flickers too → Problem is with a display driver or incompatible app
- Task Manager doesn't flicker (but everything else does) → Problem is with an incompatible app
Fix 1: Update Display Drivers
Outdated or corrupted display drivers are the most common cause of screen flickering:
- Right-click the Start button → select Device Manager
- Expand Display adapters
- Right-click your graphics card (Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD)
- Select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers
- Restart your laptop after the update
For Better Results — Download Latest Drivers Directly:
- NVIDIA: Visit nvidia.com/drivers
- AMD: Visit amd.com/en/support
- Intel: Visit intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center
Fix 2: Reinstall Display Drivers
If updating didn't help, try a clean reinstall:
- Open Device Manager → Display adapters
- Right-click your graphics card → Uninstall device
- Check "Delete the driver software for this device"
- Click Uninstall
- Restart your laptop — Windows will automatically install a basic driver
- Then install the latest driver from the manufacturer's website
Fix 3: Disable Incompatible Apps
Some applications can cause screen flickering, especially:
- Norton Antivirus
- iCloud
- IDT Audio
- Screen recording software
- Desktop customization tools
Try uninstalling recently installed programs one by one to identify the culprit. You can also boot in Safe Mode to check if flickering stops.
Fix 4: Change Display Refresh Rate
An incorrect refresh rate can cause flickering:
- Right-click on Desktop → Display settings
- Scroll down and click Advanced display
- Look at the current refresh rate
- Try changing to a different refresh rate (e.g., from 60Hz to 59Hz or vice versa)
- Click Apply and check if flickering stops
Fix 5: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration in browsers and apps can cause screen flickering:
In Chrome:
- Go to Settings → System
- Toggle off "Use hardware acceleration when available"
- Restart Chrome
In Windows:
- Go to Settings → System → Display → Graphics
- Change default graphics settings as needed
Fix 6: Disable Windows Desktop Manager
The Desktop Window Manager service can sometimes cause flickering:
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter
- Find Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
- Right-click → Restart
- If flickering stops, the issue is DWM-related
Fix 7: Run Windows Troubleshooter
- Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
- Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
- Follow any recommended fixes
Fix 8: Check Display Cable (For Laptops)
The internal display cable connecting the screen to the motherboard can become loose:
- Open and close your laptop lid slowly — if flickering changes, the cable may be loose
- Tilt the screen at different angles to check
- If cable-related, a technician can reseat or replace the display cable
Fix 9: Boot in Safe Mode
Safe Mode loads only essential drivers, helping identify if the problem is software-related:
- Press Windows + I → System → Recovery
- Click Restart now under Advanced startup
- Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart
- Press 4 to enable Safe Mode
- If flickering stops in Safe Mode, a third-party driver or app is causing it
Fix 10: Check for Hardware Damage
If none of the software fixes work, the problem may be hardware-related:
- Damaged display panel — needs screen replacement
- Loose display cable — can be reseated by a technician
- Faulty GPU — may need motherboard repair or replacement
- Backlight issues — inverter or LED backlight problems
Connect your laptop to an external monitor. If the external display works fine, the issue is with your laptop screen or display cable, not the GPU.
FAQ
Why does my laptop screen flicker when plugged in?
This can be caused by power fluctuations affecting the display. Try using a different power outlet or a surge protector. Also check if your power adapter matches your laptop's specifications.
Can a virus cause screen flickering?
While rare, malware can cause display issues by interfering with display drivers. Run a full antivirus scan to rule this out.
How much does laptop screen repair cost?
Screen replacement typically costs $100-$300 depending on the laptop model and screen type. Display cable repair is usually $50-$100.
Conclusion
Laptop screen flickering is usually caused by display driver issues or incompatible software. Start by updating your display drivers and checking for incompatible apps. Use the Task Manager test to quickly identify if it's a driver or app problem. If software fixes don't work, the issue may be hardware-related and require professional repair.