Your screen is flickering, flashing, or blinking. It might be constant or intermittent. This is either a software problem (easy fix) or a hardware problem (harder). Here is how to tell the difference and fix it.
Diagnose: Software or Hardware?
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows):
- Task Manager also flickers → Display driver or hardware problem
- Task Manager is stable but everything else flickers → An app is causing it
This one test tells you exactly where to look.
Windows Fixes
Fix 1: Update Display Driver
The most common cause. An outdated or corrupted GPU driver causes flickering.
- Device Manager → Display adapters → right-click your GPU → Update driver
- If that does not work, uninstall the driver → restart → Windows installs a fresh one
- For best results, download the latest driver directly from:
- NVIDIA: nvidia.com/drivers
- AMD: amd.com/drivers
- Intel: intel.com/download
Fix 2: Change Refresh Rate
A mismatched refresh rate causes flickering:
- Settings → Display → Advanced display
- Change refresh rate (try 60 Hz if on a higher setting, or vice versa)
- If your monitor supports 144 Hz but is set to 60 Hz, switching to the native rate often fixes it
Test your refresh rate with our FPS Test.
Fix 3: Disable Incompatible Apps
Some apps cause flickering — especially:
- Norton antivirus
- iCloud
- IDT Audio
- Old desktop apps
Boot into Safe Mode (Settings → Recovery → Advanced → Safe Mode). If flickering stops in Safe Mode, an app is the cause. Uninstall recently installed apps one by one.
Fix 4: Disable Hardware Acceleration
In apps that flicker (Chrome, Discord, etc.):
- Chrome: Settings → System → turn off "Use hardware acceleration"
- Discord: Settings → Advanced → turn off Hardware Acceleration
Fix 5: Check Cable and Connection
- Loose cable — unplug and firmly replug your display cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C)
- Damaged cable — try a different cable
- Adapter — adapters (HDMI to VGA, USB-C to HDMI) can cause flickering. Try without the adapter
Mac Fixes
Fix 1: Update macOS
Apple menu → System Settings → General → Software Update
Fix 2: Reset NVRAM/PRAM
Shut down → turn on → immediately hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds
Fix 3: Disable True Tone
System Settings → Displays → uncheck True Tone
Fix 4: Disable Auto-Brightness
System Settings → Displays → uncheck "Automatically adjust brightness"
Fix 5: Check for GPU Issues
If flickering happens only in specific apps, it is likely a GPU driver issue. Update macOS to the latest version.
iPhone
- Disable Auto-Brightness: Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Auto-Brightness OFF
- Restart: Hold power + volume down → slide to power off → turn back on
- Update iOS: Settings → General → Software Update
- Reset All Settings: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Reset → Reset All Settings
If flickering persists after all resets, it is a hardware issue (damaged display cable or screen) — contact Apple.
Android
- Restart the phone
- Disable Adaptive Brightness: Settings → Display → Adaptive brightness OFF
- Safe Mode: Hold power button → long-press "Power off" → tap "Safe Mode". If flickering stops, an app is causing it
- Update: Settings → System → System update
- Factory Reset (last resort): Settings → System → Reset → Factory reset
When It Is Hardware
If none of the software fixes work:
- Laptop: The display cable connecting the screen to the motherboard may be loose (common after drops). A repair shop can reseat it ($50-100)
- Monitor: Try the monitor with a different computer. If it still flickers, the monitor is failing
- GPU: If the screen shows artifacts (colored squares, lines) along with flickering, the GPU is dying
Related Tools
- FPS Test — test your screen refresh rate
- Screen Test — check for dead pixels and display issues
- Browser Info — check your display resolution and settings