Screen Flickering in Windows 11: 5-Step Fix! 💻✨
Windows 11 isn't perfect, and in addition to compatibility issues, you might experience screen flickering, brightness issues, or even blurry text. We've already covered how to fix blurry text, so now let's tackle screen flickering. 💻✨
There's no single cause for screen flickering. But don't worry, we'll walk you through some quick troubleshooting steps to get everything back to normal. 👍
1. Check the Cables (Monitor)
First things first: Check your monitor cables. A loose or faulty connection is the most common cause of screen flickering.
Make sure the video cable is properly connected to your monitor. If the flickering doesn't stop, unplug it and plug it back in.
Do you have a laptop? Check the hinge. If it's broken or damaged, repairing it will solve the problem.
2. Install Windows Updates
Since Windows 11 isn't completely bug-free, a faulty update could be the cause of the problem. 🔄
If your screen started flickering after upgrade to Windows 11, check for available updates and install them.
Also, install additional and optional updates, as these include important drivers needed to keep your display and GPU adapter running smoothly.
3. Update your Display Driver
If the Windows update didn't help, you need to update your display driver. You can manually update the display driver or use Device Manager to update your display adapters. 🖼️
We have shared a detailed guide on How to update the display driver in Windows. Follow the steps to successfully update your display drivers in Windows 11.
4. Reconnect your GPU
If you're comfortable handling hardware, try reconnecting your graphics card (GPU). A loose GPU connection can sometimes cause screen flickering. 🎮
Take advantage and quickly clean your GPU and motherboard. Dust and debris buildup can also affect performance, so a little cleaning can solve the problem.
5. Change the Color and Background Emphasis
Windows 11 has a feature that automatically chooses the accent color for your desktop background. This automatic color can trigger the screen flickering issue in both Windows 10 and 11. 🎨
Therefore, you should change the accent color and background settings in Windows 11 to fix screen flickering. Here's what to do.
1. Press the keys Windows + I and select the tab Personalization. Then, in the right panel, click on the option Colors.
2. In the accent color, select the option “Manual” and choose the accent color you want.
3. Now, go back to the previous page and click on the option Background.
4. In the Customize Your Background section, select either Image or Solid color as background.
6. Disable Visual Effects in Windows 11
Some users have reported that enabling the animation effect caused flickering on their screens. So, to fix the flickering on Windows 11, you need to deactivate the animation effects. 🚫
1. Click the key Windows + I on your keyboard. Then, in Configuration, click on the tab Accessibility.
2. In the right panel, click on the option Visual Effects.
3. Turn off the toggle button behind Animation effects under Visual Effects.
7. Disable Hardware Acceleration in Windows 11
Hardware acceleration is a great feature, but it can sometimes cause issues like screen flickering. Many users have reported that disabling it helps fix the problem. If you're using Google Chrome, here's how to disable hardware acceleration. ⚙️
1. Open the Google Chrome browser and click on the three points from the top. In the list of options, click Configuration.
2. In Chrome Settings, click Advanced Settings in the left sidebar and then in the tab System.
3. In the right sidebar, disable the button Use hardware acceleration when available.
8. Adjust the Screen Refresh Rate
The display's refresh rate is a major factor that can cause flickering issues. The higher the refresh rate, the faster the images change. So, if you're using an older monitor, the refresh rate could be the culprit behind the flickering. 🖥️
Don't worry, it's quite easy to adjust the refresh rate in Windows 11. We have shared a detailed guide on how to do it. How to adjust the refresh rate in Windows 11You must follow that guide and adjust the frequency manually.
9. Check for Application Incompatibility
Sometimes, incompatible apps seem to trigger screen flickering issues. If you installed a new app and are experiencing a flickering issue, you should find and uninstall that app.
It's best to uninstall any apps you installed before the flickering problem starts. If you can't identify the app, it's best to restart or restore your Windows 11 PC. Anyway, here's how to uninstall apps in Windows 11.
1. Open the application Configuration and click on the section Applications in the left sidebar.
2. In the right panel, click on the section Applications and Features.
3. Next, click on the drop-down menu sort by and select the option Last installed.
4. This will sort the apps by their installation date. Now, click on the three points next to the name of each application and select Uninstall.
10. Perform a System Restore
If your screen flickers due to a software glitch and the issue hasn't been resolved yet, performing a system restore is a last resort. Here's how to perform a restore in Windows. 🔧
1. Type "Recovery" in Windows Search. Then open the application. Recovery from the list of best results.
2. When the Recovery application opens, click on Open System Restore.
3. Next, select Choose a different restore point and click Next.
4. Select a Restore point from a previous date and click on Following.
5. In the confirmation notice, click Finish.
Screen flickering is a common issue in Windows 11. If all methods fail to fix it, you need to check your monitor. It's best to connect a different monitor and test for the issue. If the flickering doesn't appear on another monitor, you need to repair your monitor. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments! 💬
