If you are seeing lines on your laptop’s screen, or see continuous flickering, then you have come to the right place. Here, we discuss what causes a laptop’s screen to flicker, and the solutions that you can implement to fix the issue without taking it to the repair shop.
Why the Laptop Screen Flickers
There can be several different reasons for the screen to flicker or show both vertical and horizontal lines. Here is a list of p[potential causes
Why the Laptop Screen Flickers Troubleshooting Screen Flickering Fix Screen Flickering in Windows Install Pending Windows Updates Update, Reinstall Display Driver Set Correct Refresh Rate Uninstall Incompatible App Check Screen Cables Closing Thoughts
The display driver is outdated or malfunctioning You have an incompatible app on your system You have set an incompatible refresh rate The display wires inside your laptop are damaged
These are usually the most common reasons for a screen to malfunction and flicker. However, if you are troubleshooting a monitor, then another cause for the screen to flicker might be faulty cables.
Troubleshooting Screen Flickering
Before we begin fixing the issue, we must troubleshoot it to determine the potential cause of the problem. If we find what is causing the issue, then it would be easier (and quicker) to fix it. To find the actual reason for the screen to flicker, we must perform a simple test of checking if the Task Manager flickers. In this test, you must open the Task Manager and check whether the Task Manager flickers too, or is it only the background. This will determine whether the issue is with a driver or an incompatible app only. Use the following steps to perform the troubleshooting check: If the Task Manager is also flickering, it is likely a display driver issue. However, if the Task Manager is not flickering while everything else on the screen is, then the problem is likely with the application running in the background. Once you have made the determination, perform the following fixes in the given chronological order to fix the screen flickering.
Fix Screen Flickering in Windows
Install Pending Windows Updates
The Windows operating system receives regular updates from Microsoft, ensuring that your Os has the latest features as well as the latest security patches. Moreover, these updates also include driver updates for the different hardware installed on your system. Installing any pending Windows updates just might resolve the flickering issue. Once the PC reboots, check to see if the screen is still flickering. If it is, continue to perform the rest of the solutions below. Let the system scan for pending updates.
Update, Reinstall Display Driver
If you suspect that the issue is with your display driver (after performing the troubleshooting step above), and installing any pending Windows updates didn’t work, then you can try another method to update the driver. Of course, this will only work if one is available. First, try updating the driver automatically using these steps: You can also check the manufacturer’s website and see if a driver update is available there. If one is available, download it and then use the manual method to update the driver. The wizard will now search on the web for available drivers and install them. Note: If a driver is available, then your screen may flicker during the installation process, which is very normal. If there is still no new driver to install, then you can attempt to fix the issue by reinstalling the current driver version since it might have been corrupted. Here are the steps to reinstall a driver on a Windows computer: Now, check again if it resolves the issue. If the problem remains, continue to perform the remaining solutions below. The display driver will now be uninstalled. You may observe some visual changes on your screen, such as flickering, changed resolution and scaling, etc., which is normal.
Set Correct Refresh Rate
In the case of laptops, the screen’s refresh rate is usually supported by the other hardware, as well as through the operating system settings. However, if you have set the refresh rate below normal operation mode, then that may cause the screen to flicker. Use the following steps to adjust the refresh rate on a Windows PC: Now, check if the screen flickering has stopped. If it still hasn’t, adjust your refresh rate to another value and see if it helps.
Uninstall Incompatible App
If you found that the issue with screen flickering is because of a problematic app or program, then you must uninstall the app itself. Unfortunately, there is no other way around it, as the app has compatibility issues with your system. Here are the steps to uninstall an app or a program from a Windows PC: After removing the app, check to confirm whether the screen flickering still occurs.
Check Screen Cables
Since this is a laptop, opening and troubleshooting the screen’s hardware should be the last thing that you do. Often, the motion and opening of the lid or the screen cause damage to the flexible wires inside, which can cause flickering issues. Open up your laptop and inspect for any damage. If you are not a technical expert, we would advise you to take the laptop to a professional and let them inspect and repair the wires (if needed) for you.
Closing Thoughts
Continuous screen flickering can be frustrating for any kind of work. this problem can occur at any time, be constant, or happen occasionally. Regardless, the solutions provided in this post should surely work and get rid of those screen lines.
