Laptop Screen Flickering in Windows 11 How to Fix It

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Laptop Screen Flickering in Windows 11: How to Fix It

A flickering or flashing screen is hard to work with and easy to worry about, but in most cases it is caused by the display driver or an app that doesn't get on with it. Microsoft's own quick test tells you which, so start there.

Step 1: The Task Manager Test

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager (or Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then Task Manager).
Watch it for a few seconds.

Task Manager flickers too: the display driver is the likely cause. Go to Fix 2-4.
Task Manager is steady but the rest of the screen flickers: an app is the likely cause. Go to Fix 5.
Flicker also shows during startup (the maker's logo or BIOS screen): it is probably hardware. Go to Fix 8.

Fix 1: Reset the Graphics Driver

Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. The screen goes black for a second and you may hear a beep while Windows restarts the graphics driver. If the flicker was a one-off glitch, this clears it.

Fix 2: Roll Back the Display Driver

If flickering started after a Windows or driver update:

Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters.
Right-click your graphics adapter (Intel, AMD or NVIDIA), choose Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.

The button is greyed out if no older driver is stored.

Fix 3: Update or Reinstall the Display Driver

Open Settings > Windows Update and install everything, including Advanced options > Optional updates if a display driver is offered.
Or in Device Manager > Display adapters, right-click the adapter and choose Uninstall device, then restart. Windows installs a basic driver and then the right one.
For the best match, download the graphics driver for your exact laptop model from the laptop maker's support page, or from Intel, AMD or NVIDIA for desktop cards.

Avoid driver-updater programs.

Fix 4: Check the Refresh Rate

A wrong refresh rate can cause flicker, especially on external monitors.

Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.
Under Choose a refresh rate, pick the monitor's normal rate (often 60 Hz, or the higher rate it's sold with).
If Dynamic refresh rate is offered and flicker comes and goes with it, choose a fixed rate to test.

Fix 5: Update or Remove the App Causing It

If Task Manager didn't flicker, think about what you installed or updated just before the problem. Antivirus, screen-recording, overlay and display-tuning apps are common culprits.

Check the app for updates first.
If that doesn't help, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the app, click the three dots and choose Uninstall.
Restart and check. You can reinstall a fixed version later.

Fix 6: Turn Off Content-Based Brightness

Some laptops adjust brightness to what is on screen, which can look like pulsing or flicker. Open Settings > System > Display > Brightness and turn off Change brightness based on content (and, to test, Help improve battery by optimising the content shown and brightness), if your laptop has these options. Also check the laptop maker's power or display app for similar settings.

Fix 7: Check Cables and Connections (External Monitors)

Reseat the HDMI or DisplayPort cable at both ends, and try another cable or port.
Plug straight into the PC rather than a dock or adapter to test.
Try the monitor with another device to see if it follows the monitor.

If the monitor isn't picked up at all, press Windows + P and choose Extend, then use Detect under Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays.

Fix 8: Signs of a Hardware Problem

Flicker appears before Windows loads (logo or BIOS screen).
It changes when you open or move the lid; the display cable inside the hinge may be loose or worn.
An external monitor connected to the laptop is steady while the laptop screen flickers; that points to the laptop's panel or its cable.

Back up your files and have the laptop checked; these faults need a repair, not software.

Still Not Fixed?

If the screen goes completely black after you sign in rather than flickering, see Windows black screen after login. If the flicker comes with overheating and a loud fan, see laptop overheating and fan running loud, since a hot graphics chip can also cause display glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know if an app or the driver causes flickering?

Open Task Manager. If Task Manager flickers along with everything else, the display driver is the likely cause. If it doesn't flicker while the rest of the screen does, an app is likely to blame.

What does Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B do?

It restarts the graphics driver. The screen goes black briefly and you may hear a beep. It can clear a sudden flicker without restarting the PC.

Can a low battery or brightness setting cause flickering?

Some laptops change brightness based on screen content or battery. Turning off content-based brightness in Settings > System > Display can stop a pulsing effect.

When is flickering a hardware problem?

If the flicker also shows in the BIOS or startup screens, or changes when you move the laptop lid, the screen, its cable or the graphics hardware is likely at fault.