When your screen starts flickering, working or viewing content becomes a nightmare. The good news is that, in most cases, the problem can be resolved with a few well-aimed adjustments and checks. Before change monitor or take the equipment to the workshop, it is advisable to follow a simple diagnostic method that tells us where the origin is.
In this guide, you'll find a complete guide to identifying and resolving the problem, whether it's caused by an application, the graphics driver, poor video settings, or the hardware itself. We integrate official steps and best practices for Windows 10 and Windows 11, plus specific recommendations for laptops and desktops.
Identify the cause with Task Manager
The first step is very simple and incredibly useful: open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Observe the behavior: if everything flickers except the Task Manager windowThe cause is usually an incompatible application. However, if the Task Manager also flickers, the most likely cause is your graphics card driver.
Among the apps that frequently cause blinking There are antivirus suites such as Norton Antivirus (and other alternatives), iCloud, LiveUpdate6 o RTD Audio (IDTNC64.cpl module). Certain wallpaper customization utilities are also suspicious, and in general, newly installed or updated programs just before the error appeared.
If the problem is an application (Manager does not blink)
Start by updating the problematic app. If it came from the Microsoft Store, open the store (icon in the taskbar), go to Library and apply any available updates. If the app is not in the Store, check the developer's website and download the latest version compatible with your Windows.
- Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features and wait for the full list to load. Locate the app you want to remove.
- Select the app, press Uninstall > Uninstall and confirm with Yes if requested. Restart the computer after the first uninstallation and check if the flickering has stopped.
If the error persists, repeat the process with other suspicious apps, starting with the ones you installed or updated most recently. Check forums and manufacturer support to see if there are similar reports and, if it is critical software for you, notify them of the error.
Reinstall apps
- Opens Microsoft Store from the taskbar and enter Library.
- Find the app you want to use again and tap Install. Check after each reinstallation if the blinking returns.
For apps outside the Store, download the installer from the official website and avoid third-party repositories. Install and test with the system clean of remnants of previous versions.
Uninstall from Control Panel (classic alternative)
- Open Windows search and type Control panel (or Win + R and type control).
- Sign in Programs > Uninstall a program and sort by Instalation date to identify recent changes.
- Select the program and press uninstall. In the side menu, check View installed updates to remove associated patches if necessary.
If you want to centralize updates, tools like CCleaner include Software Updater and modules for update driversUse them wisely and, whenever possible, prioritize each manufacturer's official website.
If the problem is the display driver (the Manager also flashes)
Roll back the driver
- Right click on Home and open Device administrator.
- Unfolds Display adapters, right click on your card (Intel, NVIDIA or AMD) and enter Properties.
- In the Controller, press Revert to the previous controller. If disabled, there is no previous version stored.
Update the driver
- From Device administrator, choose Update Driver y Search for drivers automatically.
- Better yet, use the official utilities: GeForce Experience (NVIDIA), AMD Software: Adrenaline Edition o Intel Driver & Support Assistant. These tools install the optimal driver and validated for your GPU.
Clean Uninstall and Manual Installation (Safe Mode)
- Go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery and in Advanced start pulsa Restart now.
- On the blue screen, enter Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings and press Restart.
- Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking (option 5), log in and open Device administrator.
- En Display adapters, right click on the GPU and choose Uninstall device. Brand Remove the driver software for this device and confirm.
- Restart. Windows will load a generic driver; then install the latest version downloaded from the manufacturer's official website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, etc.).
Try the other GPU (dual graphics cards)
If your computer combines integrated (Intel) and discrete (NVIDIA/AMD) graphics, temporarily disable one of them to isolate the fault: in Device Manager > Display Adapters, right click and Disable device on the integrated one; if it continues to flicker, re-enable it and deactivate the other one. This test reveals if a specific GPU is the culprit.
Did the crash start after upgrading to Windows 11 23H2?
- Sign in Settings > System > Recovery and use Back to the previous version if available. Use it only if the problem started right after of the update.
Display and system settings that reduce flickering
Change the refresh rate
- Opens Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings and enters Show display adapter properties.
- In the Monitor, adjust the Update frequency. Try higher values ​​if your monitor supports them; apply and verify if the flickering disappears.
You can also temporarily reduce the resolution (for example, 1920×1080) to check if the problem is due to bandwidth or compatibility limitations. If at lower resolution it does not blink, reinforces the idea of ​​an inadequate controller/cable/port for 4K or high frame rates.
Disable HDR and check HDCP
- En Settings> Display, disable Use HDR if it is activated and the monitor/TV does not manage it well. Some displays handle HDR poorly. and generate flickering or screens.
- If you see ads related to HDCP (content protection) in 4K, make sure that both the display and the cable and port meet the correct standard (HDMI 2.0/2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4). Try another cable or port to rule out physical incompatibilities.
Restore BIOS/UEFI to default settings
Enter BIOS/UEFI at boot (key F2/Del/Esc depending on the equipment), loads the default values, save and restart. Sometimes a low level video adjustment or a previous update causes graphical instability.
Create a new user profile
Opens Settings > Accounts > Family and other users and select Add another person. Sign in with that account and try again. If it doesn't blink there, the source may be in the original user's settings or in apps that only load in that profile.
Disables reporting-related services (for diagnostics only)
As a quick test in Windows 10, open Win + R > msconfig, eyelash Services, and uncheck «Problem Reports and Solutions Dashboard Help» y Windows Error Reporting Service. Reboot and verify. If it improves, re-enable and focus on drivers/apps; leaving system services disabled is not advisable in the long term.
For older systems: Desktop Window Manager
In versions prior to Windows 10, disable the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) can reduce flickering. Open Win + R > services.msc, search Desktop Window Manager Session Manager, press Stop and put Startup Type: Disabled. In Windows 10/11 it is not recommended play this service.
Hardware reviews: cables, monitor and graphics
Start with the basics: unplug and plug back in. Video cable (HDMI/DisplayPort/DVI) and the monitor's power supply. Clean the contacts, check for dual adapters or extension cords, and if possible, check the monitor and PC. A faulty cable or an unstable connector cause intermittent flickering.
Cross-test: Connect your PC to another display or TV and/or connect another source (laptop, console, TV stick) to your current monitor. If the monitor works well with another device, the problem is with your computer. If your PC also flickers on another screen, discard the monitor and focus on controller, cabling or GPU.
Check the graphics card. If you have done overclock, reduce the frequency or return to factory settings. On desktop, you can uninstall the dedicated GPU so the system uses the integrated one and see if that stops the flickering. If the integrated one solves it, your dedicated graphics card may be failing.
On laptops, the flickering that changes when moving the lid usually indicates damaged flex or internal cableAlthough sometimes just replacing it is enough, opening a laptop is tricky; the most sensible thing to do is to call a service center if you're inexperienced or if the laptop is under warranty. Avoid manipulations that may invalidate the warranty.
Last resort solutions
Restore the system to a previous point
- Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), menu File > Run new task, writes msconfig tab and activate Safe boot on the Boot tab. Restart to enter Safe Mode.
- press Win + R, writes rstrui.exe and follow the wizard to choose a restore point before the start of the blinking. Confirm with Next > Finish.
Go to technical service
If after all the above the problem persists, it may be a hardware defect on the screen, GPU, or internal wiring. In this case, it's best to contact an authorized service center. If the fault is covered by warrantyThe manufacturer will take care of it; in Spain, the minimum legal warranty is three years. Stores like Amazon usually offer replacements when the problem is recent and factory-related.
With patience and following a logical order (diagnosing with Task Manager, apps, drivers, display settings, hardware tests, and, if necessary, restoring or supporting), most cases can usually be resolved. The key is to change only one variable at a time. and check the result before moving on to the next step.
