Is your laptop screen putting on an impromptu light show with its annoying flickering lights? Fear not! We have got your back with some practical solutions to tame that unruly laptop screen flickering and restore your sanity.
Windows Screen Flickering Tantrums: Here’s How to Fix the Beast
As reported by Laptop Repair Dubai experts, screen flickering among Windows laptops is generally triggered by outdated display drivers. However, try the following fixes to keep the screen flickering away, starting with driver updates. After all, a flickering screen can ruin your productivity and reduce the chances of your laptop’s further damage.
Here’s what you can do on your Windows laptops to prevent screen flickering:
Update Your Graphics Drivers
Nothing kills your focus faster than that erratic dance of pixels. However, a quick driver update might be the right fix. Here’s what you need to follow:
Look for the Device Manager option under the context menu (Windows + X keys).
Next, hit the Device Manager and right-click your graphics card option.
After that, click the ‘Update Driver’ option.
Now, choose either the automatic or manual option to proceed with the update.
See if a fresh driver update might just smoothen things out.
Tweak Refresh Rate Settings
Incompatible refresh rates can make your laptop screen go wobbly if you run graphics-intensive applications. That’s why you can eliminate laptop screen flickering by adjusting refresh rates on your device.
Right-click on your laptop’s desktop screen.
Then, choose Display Settings from the context menu.
Head towards Advanced Display Settings.
Locate Refresh Rate settings and increase or decrease the entity to see if the screen flickering disappears.
Check for Malware Mayhem
Malware sometimes likes to mess with screen settings. Hence, you should look out for malware infections on your Windows laptop if you still find the display flickering. Run your third-party antivirus software or the built-in Windows Defender tool.
A thorough scan might end the flicker fiesta.
Plug/Unplug It
Does the flicker only happen when your laptop’s plugged in? Or is it rebellious on battery power? Note the pattern – chances are that your laptop screen may flicker when it’s either plugged in or unplugged. Break the pattern – plug or unplug your device from the power source and check if it gets you rid of laptop screen flickering issues.
Limit Those Startup Apps
Often, Windows users report that too many startup processes can strain the system. Consequently, the screen might start flickering. Laptop Repair Dubai professionals suggest taking control of those overloaded startup processes.
Here’s what you can do to lighten the load:
Open Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc key shortcut.
Afterwards, click the Startup tab.
Now, disable all the apps that you don’t require while launching your system.
This will declutter your laptop’s morning routine and lessen the chances of screen flickering.
Disable Adaptive Brightness
Incompatible or advanced power plans can make your laptop screen flicker. If you still suffer from screen flickering, try to disable Adaptive Brightness under advanced power settings on your laptop.
Click the Windows or Start icon from the Taskbar.
Search for ‘Power Options’ in the Start menu.
Once the Power Options open up, click on Change Plan settings.
Next, hit the ‘Change advanced power settings’ option.
Locate Display and make sure you disable the Adaptive Brightness option.
Less auto, more steady screen!
Turn off GPU Acceleration
Another automatic feature that you can turn off to secure a stable screen is GPU Acceleration. Several users have confirmed that their Windows laptops stopped flickering when they disabled this particular feature. Follow the guidelines below:
Navigate to the Display settings under Settings → System → Display on your device.
Head towards the Graphics Settings column.
Now, watch out for the Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling option and disable it.
Restart your system and see if it stops flickering.
Enter Safe Mode and Initiate Updates
Regular updates may not be effective if a particular application hinders your Windows laptop’s screen functionality. It’s better to switch to the Safe Mode on your laptop and update the display driver. Here’s the detailed step-by-step procedure:
Expand the Start menu and choose Settings.
After that, hit the Update & Security column and choose Recovery from the left panel.
Choose Advanced Startup followed by Restart Now. Click the Troubleshoot menu and stick to Advanced Options.
Now, select Startup Settings and hit Restart.
Once your device restarts, opt for the option that says, ‘Enable Safe Mode with Networking’. You will need internet access to update the drivers.
Next, open up Device Manager and click ‘Display Adapters’ to expand the option.
Right-click on the listed or in-use adapter and choose ‘Uninstall Device’.
Now, select the ‘Delete the driver software’ option and confirm your choice by hitting the Uninstall button.
Finally, restart your laptop and navigate to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for Updates. See if any update is available. Install the available updates and see if the laptop screen flickering issue fades away.
Look for Physical Wear and Tear
Have you connected your Windows laptop to an external monitor? Then, examine the cable that you have used to connect your laptop and the peripheral. On the other hand, you can check your laptop’s screen and other associated display components by using the same trick.
Once you connect your laptop to an external monitor and it works without any hiccups, then the issue might lie within your Windows device. Seeking professional help is necessary if you suspect physical wear and tear or serious damage to your laptop.
Mac Fixes: Solutions for Screen Flickering
Nothing hurts more than seeing your expensive MacBook screen flickering. However, both software and hardware issues can lead to screen flickering instances on a MacBook. Among known causes, the following ones are more common:
Malware
Dropping your MacBook from a considerable height
Liquid damage
Software glitches
Here are some proven troubleshooting methods to put a stop to Mac laptop screen flickering.
Restart Your Mac Notebook
Did you know a quick restart can make all those dancing pixels calm and restore peace to your Mac screen? If it’s your first time witnessing the MacBook’s screen flickering, restart the device right away.
Restarting the system can dissolve software glitches. Hit the Apple logo from your system’s upper-left corner and choose Restart. Proceed with the following solutions below if the screen flickering issue persists.
Check for Current macOS Updates
Apple’s wizards often send fixes in the disguise of software updates for utility-related tantrums. Hence, you should always check for macOS updates if available. Let your Mac commune with Cupertino for the latest charms.
Click the Apple icon.
Next, hit the System Preferences or System Settings.
After that, choose the Software Update option.
Select the Update Now option if there’s an update available. Make sure you follow the on-screen guidelines to complete the update.
Your MacBook must restart automatically. Look for signs to confirm whether the laptop screen flickering error has stopped.
Reset Your Mac’s SMC
The System Management Controller aka SMC handles all sorts of behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Resetting the SMC might bring back the order to your Mac system and make the screen stable.
Shut down your Mac.
Next, press the following keys from the left side of the keyboard: Shift + Control + Option.
Hold these buttons along with the Power button for 10 seconds.
After 10 seconds, release all those buttons.
Turn on your Mac as usual.
See if the laptop screen flickering issue disappears into the digital abyss.
Manage Energy Saver Preferences
Excessively high screen brightness can contribute to your MacBook’s screen flickering, as reported by Laptop Repair in Dubai experts. Fortunately, the necessary tweaks can adjust the screen brightness and diminish the flickering menace.
Go to the Apple menu.
Then, hit System Preferences or System Settings based on your macOS version.
Now, enter the Energy Saver column.
Adjust the settings to prevent your Mac from adjusting the screen brightness aggressively or dimming.
Deactivate True Tone and Dark Mode
Apple’s TrueTone technology balances the color and intensity of your retina display so that it can match the light around you. On the other hand, the Dark Mode provides a more soothing effect to your eyes whenever your Mac starts. Thus, you don’t have to face harsh or bright colours.
However, both these features can occasionally trigger screen flickering issues. To be on the safe side, here’s how you can disable the True Tone feature:
Enter System Settings or System Preferences under the Apple menu.
Next, enter the Display section.
Select your display if you have plugged multiple monitors into your Mac. then, clear the checkbox next to the True Tone option.
And, here's how you can deactivate the Dark Mode:
Navigate to your Mac’s System Settings or System Preferences.
Click General and enter the Appearance window.
Now, choose the Light option.
Your Mac’s screen will transform into light mode. Check if tweaking these settings recovers the screen from flickering issues.
Look for Third-Party App Interference
Have you installed some fancy or funky app lately on your MacBook and since then, the display started flickering? Take a chance and uninstall all suspected applications to make the operation smoother.
Navigate the path: System Settings / System Preferences → Users & Groups → Login Items.
Then, remove suspected apps from the list.
Restart your device and notice if the order returns to the screen.
Exorcize the Display Settings
Perhaps, the fault is within the display settings of your Mac device. Adjusting the refresh rate, resolution, etc. can save you from the loophole of laptop screen flickering. For instance, head towards the System Settings or System Preferences option.
Click the Displays option and make the necessary changes in the following entities:
Resolutions
Refresh Rates
Scaling options
Conduct Apple Diagnostics
If you’re still stuck in the laptop screen flickering problem, it’s high time to detect whether it’s a hardware breakdown. Make sure you disconnect all the accessories except for your power and an internet connection and shut down your device.
If you own a Mac with Apple silicon then here’s what you should follow:
Power on your device and hold the Power button even when your Mac starts up.
Let go of the Power button as soon as you notice the window of startup options.
Now, press the Command button along with the D key.
Otherwise, power on your Intel Mac and immediately hold the D key. You can release the key when a progress bar or Language Options appear.
