Laptop Screen Flickering? Find the Cause in 2 Minutes

Which one do you have?

Task Manager flickers too

A display driver is probably the cause. See fixes

Task Manager is steady

An incompatible app is probably the cause. See fixes

Fixes to try (easiest first)

1. Do the Task Manager test

   Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Watch whether Task Manager flickers along with the rest of the screen. [1]

2. Reset the graphics driver

   Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. If that doesn't help, restart the laptop. [1]

3. Check the refresh rate

   Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. Most laptops use 60 Hz. [2]

4. Update the graphics driver and BIOS

   Get them from your laptop maker's support site (Dell: SupportAssist > Update software). [2]

5. Roll back a driver that just updated

   Device Manager > Display adapters > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver, then restart. [1]

6. Update or uninstall the problem app

   If only some things flicker, update recent apps, or uninstall them one at a time until it stops. [1]

7. Test with an external monitor

   Windows + P > Duplicate. If the external monitor is fine, the laptop screen may have a hardware problem. [2]

Is it worth fixing?

Driver, app and refresh-rate fixes are free. If the built-in screen still flickers while an external monitor doesn't, it's hardware: use your warranty, or compare a repair quote with the laptop's value.

Repair or replace? Try the calculator · Not sure this is your problem? Take the quiz

What could help

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• USB-C to HDMI adapter (4K): Lets a laptop with only USB-C ports connect to a monitor or TV, so you can do the external-monitor test.
• 6 ft 4K HDMI cable: A known-good cable to rule out a faulty one, or to connect an external monitor for testing.
• 15.6-inch portable monitor (cocopar, 1080p, USB-C and HDMI): If the laptop screen is broken but the laptop works, a separate screen can cost less than a screen repair and lets you keep using it.