If your PC or laptop screen starts flickering, don't go crazy: there's almost always a specific cause and a clear solution. With a quick diagnosis you will be able to know if it is a graphics controllera whirlpool bath, conflicting app or a display setting that has fallen off.
In this guide, you'll find a complete action plan, from the quickest checks to last-resort solutions. We've integrated official support advice and best practices (Windows 10/11, updates, drivers, refresh rates, cables, Windows services, system restore and more) so you can solve the problem without wasting time.
Start with the most revealing check. Open the Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and see if the window also flickers. This will tell you which way to turn:
This initial filter saves time. Depending on the result, go to the apps or drivers section and apply the appropriate measures.
There are programs that, due to incompatibilities with Windows 10 or 11, cause constant flickering. Cases have been reported with Norton Antivirus, other antivirus suites, iCloud, LiveUpdate6 e RTD Audio (IDTNC64.cpl module), as well as wallpaper apps or utilities that touch the desktop.
First, try updating. New versions fix bugs that often cause flickering. If no update is available or it doesn't resolve the issue, proceed with a controlled uninstall.
To uninstall from Settings in Windows 10/11: Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Let the list load, find the app, tap Uninstall, and confirm with Yes. Restart after removing each app and see if the flickering stops.
If you prefer the classic Control Panel: Windows + R > type control > Programs > Programs and FeaturesSort by installation date and uninstall the most recent updates you installed first. You can go to View installed updates and uninstall any associated updates.
Once you've identified the offending software, check if a fixed version exists. Consult the manufacturer's website and forum for similar reports, and if necessary, report the bug to them.
If the app was in the Store and you need it, open it from the taskbar, go to Library, and tap Install for the apps you want to recover. If it wasn't in the Store, download it only from the developer's official website to ensure compatibility and security.
As an alternative to keeping your software up to date, some third-party utilities allow you to see which apps or drivers have new versions. In tools like CCleaner, the Software Updater section suggests updates, and its Update Drivers option displays relevant drivers grouped by category (graphics, monitor, etc.).
When the flashing points to the driver, there are three common paths: roll back to the previous driver, update to the latest one, or uninstall it to force the basic driver and reinstall clean.
If Windows Update pushed a recent update and has been flashing ever since, try rolling back. Open the Device administrator (right click on Start) > Display Adapters > Properties of your GPU, go to the Driver tab and click Revert to the previous controller (if available).
In Device Manager > Display adapters, right-click on your graphics card and choose Update Driver. Select Search automatically for drivers. If it doesn't find anything or you prefer the manufacturer's version, download it from the official website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) or use their assistants (GeForce Experience, AMD Software, or Intel Driver & Support Assistant).
Another effective way is to do it from Safe Mode with Networking. Go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. Then, Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Restart and choose Safe mode with networking to have Internet.
This method resolves many cases of persistent flickering. In Device Manager > Display Adapters, right-click the GPU and select Uninstall device. Check the box to remove driver software for this device and confirm. Restart: Windows will load the basic native driver.
Once the system is stable (albeit at a low resolution), install the latest driver from the manufacturer's website and reboot. If your computer has dual graphics cards (integrated and dedicated), in Safe Mode you can try temporarily disabling one of them in Device Manager (usually starting with the integrated one) to isolate the source. If the flickering persists, re-enable it and disable the other for comparison.
In addition to drivers, certain graphics settings can trigger the effect. A refresh rate misconfigured, the HDR or a demanding 4K resolution with HDCP may be key.
In Windows 10/11: Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings > Show display adapter properties. On the Monitor tab, adjust the frequencyIf your monitor supports it, bump it up to 60Hz (or higher) and apply it. A low or unstable refresh rate can cause flickering, especially on older displays.
If you are working in 4K and notice the problem, try something temporary: lower the resolution to 1920 × 1080 to check if the flickering disappears. If it stabilizes, there's a bottleneck or incompatibility issue to resolve with the driver or wiring.
Some monitors and televisions have bugs with HDR. In Display Settings, turn off Use HDR and test. With protected content, HDCP protection at 4K may require specific cables/ports; check your monitor's compatibility with the resolutions and color spaces you're using.
If you use an external monitor with your laptop, align the refresh rates. Avoid having 59 Hz in one and 60 Hz in another if you see instability. Sometimes that small adjustment eliminates the flickering.
In older environments, disabling the Desktop Window Manager was recommended, but in modern Windows, this is not a recommended practice. Prioritize correct drivers and consistent refresh rates.
Occasionally, the problem sticks to one profile. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add another person and create a new account. Log in and test. If it stops blinking, the issue was linked to the original user; you can migrate your data or continue debugging in that profile.
As a quick system test: Windows + R > type msconfig > ServicesUncheck Help from the Problem Reporting and Solutions Control Panel and Windows Error Reporting Service. Apply and restart. If the flickering stops, there is interference with the reporting system; leave it as is or re-evaluate after updating drivers.
It's more common than it seems. Check the HDMI / DisplayPort and the monitor's power cable: disconnect, carefully clean the connectors (without aggressive liquids) and reconnect properly.
If the problem persists, try different cables, and if your monitor/PC has multiple inputs (HDMI1/HDMI2, DP1/DP2), switch ports. Connectors with locking tabs on DisplayPorts should be pulled out straight to avoid damaging the port.
On discrete graphics cards, wear and tear or excessive overclocking are possible. Revert to factory frequencies using the manufacturer's software and check. If there's no improvement, disconnect the discrete GPU to use the integrated one (on desktops) or temporarily disable it in Device Manager; if it stabilizes, the card may need replacing.
On laptops, physical access is more difficult. It's not necessary to remove the GPU; disabling/reenabling it from Device Manager is sufficient to test. If that still fails, consult technical support.
Note: Some manufacturers collect issues by monitor series. For example, families such as Alienware and Dell Gaming (C, D, E, P, S, SE, UltraSharp, and UltraSharp Premier) have been listed, with guides for installing the correct display drivers from their Drivers & Downloads page. Always consult your brand's official support.
If you have tried everything and nothing, it is time for "surgical" measures. System restore rolls Windows back to a point before the problem started, keeping your documents.
To make it easier to enter Safe Mode: open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), File > Run new task, type msconfig and accept. On the Boot tab, check Safe boot and reboot. You should enter safe mode, where the flickering usually disappears.
Then press Windows + R and run rstrui.exeThe System Restore wizard will open. Choose a restore point prior to the day the flickering began, click Next and Finish, and wait for it to finish.
Another option to consider if the problem started after a major Windows 11 update (e.g., 23H2): Settings > System > Recovery > Go back to the previous version of Windows, and follow the prompts. If the update broke driver compatibility, rolling back may restore stability.
Rarely, reset the BIOS / UEFI Resetting to default values helps with graphical conflicts. Turn on the PC and enter the BIOS (F2, Delete, or Esc depending on the motherboard), load the default values, save, and reboot. Don't touch anything else if you're not sure.
To clear up any doubts, perform a cross-test. Connect your computer to another monitor or TVIf the flickering persists, the problem is with your PC (drivers, cables, GPU). Connect a different device to your monitor (laptop, console, HDMI dongle) and check: if it looks fine, the display isn't the culprit.
With this check, you narrow the focus of the repair and avoid replacing a part that isn't necessary.
On laptops, the screen is usually LCD/LED and sometimes flickers when you move the computer or when connecting the chargerThis points to drivers or internal connections. Start by updating the graphics card as we've seen, and if the problem persists, contact support if you suspect a flex cable or internal connector.
To identify your GPU and find the correct driver, go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Device Manager > Display Adapters. Note the make and model and download from the official website. Avoid third-party websites.
If the flickering persists after all of the above, there may be a hardware defect or a case covered by warranty. Go to a Official technical service for evaluation. In Spain, stores and manufacturers offer at least 3 year warrantyIf you purchased something from an online store and it's new, they may be able to arrange a replacement.
It's also a good idea to check manufacturer advisories: some publish notes on monitor firmware or drivers that fix flickering. Staying up-to-date saves you headaches.
In the end, with an orderly approach, you will identify if the flickering comes from a app, from the driver, setting or of wiring/monitor, and you'll apply the appropriate solution: uninstalling conflicting software, updating or rolling back drivers, adjusting the refresh rate, disabling HDR if necessary, changing cables/ports, and even restoring the system when there's no other option. It's an annoying problem, yes, but with a method, it can be fixed in most cases.
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