Screen Flickering Issue In Windows 10

Connect to an external monitor, or HDMI to your TV set, to see if the problem occurs there.

Hold down the D key and press the power button to power up the laptop and run the LCD built-in self-test (BIST). That will run diagnostics on the display panel.

If the same issue appears during the self-test and does not appear on an external monitor, then the issue is with the display panel or its cable. Genuine Dell OEM replacement displays are available from Parts-People.

If the issue does not appear during display self-test or on external monitor, see if it appears after booting in Safe Mode or when in BIOS/Setup. If it doesn't appear in Safe Mode or on BIOS, then that could point to a Windows or driver issue.

Hi filbert,
I followed your suggestions, kindly follow the observations.
1 - Check the issue with an external monitor - The issue does not persist on other monitor(connected TV with HDMI cable)
2 - LCD built-in self-test (BIST) -  The issue does not persist while this test, everything looks fine.
3 - Booting in Safe Mode or when in BIOS/Setup - Issue found in these checks.

what could be the possible solution for the same?

Screen flickering in Windows 10 can be a frustrating issue, but there are several potential causes and solutions to resolve it. Here's a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting screen flickering problems:

1. **Update Graphics Drivers**: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a common cause of screen flickering. Go to the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific graphics card model. Install the drivers and restart your computer.

2. **Adjust Display Refresh Rate**: Right-click on the desktop, select "Display settings," and scroll down to the "Advanced display settings." Under "Refresh rate," try selecting a different value and see if the flickering improves. Choose a refresh rate that your monitor supports (e.g., 60Hz, 75Hz).

3. **Disable Hardware Acceleration**: Some applications use hardware acceleration, which can cause screen flickering issues. Try disabling hardware acceleration in the problematic applications to see if it resolves the problem.

4. **Boot in Safe Mode**: Boot your computer in Safe Mode to determine if the flickering persists. If the issue is not present in Safe Mode, it may indicate that a third-party application or driver is causing the problem.

5. **Check for Malware**: Malware can sometimes cause unusual behavior on your computer, including screen flickering. Perform a full system scan using a reliable antivirus program to check for any malware infections.

6. **Disable Background Apps**: Some background applications or processes can interfere with your display settings and cause flickering. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager and end unnecessary background processes.

7. **Adjust Night Light Settings**: If you have enabled the Night Light feature in Windows 10, try adjusting its settings or turning it off to see if it affects the screen flickering.

8. **Check External Devices**: If you have external devices (e.g., monitors, projectors) connected to your computer, disconnect them and check if the flickering persists. Faulty cables or incompatible devices could cause screen flickering.

9. **Check for Windows Updates**: Make sure Windows 10 is up to date with the latest updates and patches. Microsoft often releases updates that address known issues, including screen flickering problems.

10. **System File Check**: Run a System File Check (SFC) scan to check for and repair corrupted system files. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the command "sfc /scannow" without quotes.

11. **Update BIOS**: Check if there's a BIOS update available for your computer on the manufacturer's website. Sometimes, BIOS updates can resolve hardware-related flickering issues.

12. **Rollback Graphics Drivers**: If updating the graphics drivers didn't help, consider rolling back to a previous driver version to see if it resolves the issue.

If none of the above solutions work, and the screen flickering problem persists, it's recommended to contact Microsoft support or seek help from a professional technician to diagnose and fix the issue.

@vikash151, can you please confirm the following:

Flicker occurs:

• during normal Windows use
• In Safe Mode
• In BIOS/Setup

Flicker does not occur:

• On TV connected via HDMI cable
• During display BIST

Are you 100% positive that the above is correct? If you're not certain about any of them, please perform those tests again.

@filbert ,
Yeah, These observations are 100% correct.
In Addition to that, when I adjust the brightness level sometimes flickering stops (Most of the time at full brightness).

Try this: 

1. Adjust the brightness to a level where the flickering appears.
2. Shut down
3. Hold down the D key and press the power button to power up the laptop to see if the flickering appears during the display built-in self-test (BIST).

I tried the same, 
And this time also "display a built-in self-test" (BIST) Passed Successfully and no Flicker was observed while testing.
Here, I am attaching a video link to the problem.
Things to be noticed
1) when brightness is full 80% of the time either the flicker stops or some grey and white patches show at the bottom of the screen.
2) For other brightness levels 5-10% of the time screen does not flicker, the remaining time it keeps flicker(Becomes hard to use the system).
3) While Fickering I shutdown the system and pressed 'D' then power on the system as suggested for the  "display a built-in self-test" (BIST). The test seems fine to me.

Video

These are the startup apps.

This is a long shot, but as nothing else worked I think it's worth trying. It might be related to a feature called adaptive brightness.

Look in Intel HD Graphics Control Panel | Power |  disable Display Power Saving Technology for both "Battery" and "Plugged in".

or

Settings | System | Power & Sleep | Additional power settings | select your plan | Change plan settings | Change advanced power settings | Display | Enable adaptive brightness | turn it Off for both "Battery" and "Plugged in".

or

Windows Settings | System | Display | Adjust my screen brightness automatically | disable that option (turn off) | Apply.

or

If you have a recent BIOS, in BIOS under Video Dynamic Backlight Control you may find a setting to disable that feature.

If none of that works, then I don't know what else to try. It could be a flaw in the inverter or backlighting.

Hi @filbert ​,

I would like to bring to your attention a recurring pattern concerning a flickering issue I have encountered with my laptop. Specifically, I have observed that when I leave my laptop shut down for an extended period of time and subsequently power it on, it operates smoothly without any flickering for a few hours. However, after this initial period of stability, the flickering problem resurfaces.

To illustrate this pattern, I can provide an example. On three separate occasions, I allowed my laptop to remain shut down for a span of two days. Upon powering it on after this period, I experienced uninterrupted performance without flickering for approximately four hours. Subsequently, the flickering issue returned.

I believe this pattern of behavior suggests a potential underlying cause, and I am seeking guidance on how to address and rectify this matter effectively.

Thank you for your attention and assistance.

Screen flickering issues on a Dell laptop running Windows 10 can be quite frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to try and resolve the problem. Here's a guide to help you troubleshoot and potentially fix the screen flickering issue:

1. Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause screen flickering. Visit the official Dell support website, enter your laptop's model number, and download the latest graphics drivers. Install the drivers and restart your laptop.

2. Adjust Display Refresh Rate: Right-click on the desktop and select "Display settings." Scroll down and click on "Advanced display settings." Under "Refresh rate," try changing it to a different value and see if the flickering stops.

3. Disable Hardware Acceleration in Applications: Some applications might cause flickering due to hardware acceleration. For instance, if you're experiencing flickering while using web browsers, try disabling hardware acceleration in browser settings.

4. Change Power Settings: Sometimes, power settings can affect the display. Go to "Control Panel" > "Power Options" and select "High performance" or a similar setting.

5. Check for Windows Updates: Make sure Windows is up to date, as updates often include bug fixes that could resolve display issues.

6. Run in Safe Mode: Boot into Safe Mode to check if the flickering persists. If the issue is not present in Safe Mode, it could be caused by third-party applications or drivers. This will help you identify the cause.

7. Uninstall Recent Updates or Applications: If the flickering started after a recent Windows update or after installing a new application, try uninstalling the updates or the application to see if that resolves the issue.

8. Check External Devices: Disconnect any external devices, such as monitors or projectors, and see if the flickering persists. Sometimes, these devices can cause display issues.

9. Adjust Compatibility Settings: Right-click on the application causing flickering, select "Properties," and navigate to the "Compatibility" tab. Try enabling "Disable fullscreen optimizations" or experimenting with compatibility modes.

10. Disable Automatic Brightness Adjustment: Some laptops have automatic brightness adjustment features that might cause flickering. Disable this feature in the settings.

11. Check for Malware or Viruses: Malware or viruses could potentially cause strange behavior on your laptop, including flickering. Run a thorough scan using your preferred antivirus software.

12. Update BIOS: An outdated BIOS can also lead to display issues. Check Dell's support website for BIOS updates for your laptop model.

If none of these steps resolve the flickering issue, it's a good idea to contact Dell support for further assistance, especially if your laptop is under warranty. They might provide more specific troubleshooting steps or recommend sending your laptop in for repair if necessary.

Hi @AdrianG001 ,
I have already tried all the above solutions, but neither of them helped with this issue.

I have observed flicker go away for a few hours(around 4 to 5 hours) when I left using the laptop for around 2 or more days. Do you have any clue what could be the reason for the same?