Fix Screen Flickering on Windows 10

Edited by Sean Zylow, Eng

Screen flickering in Windows 10 is usually caused by incompatible apps or display drivers. To determine whether an app or driver is causing the problem, check to see if Task Manager flickers. Then, based on that information, you'll need to either uninstall the app or update the display driver.

Check to see if Task Manager flickers

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Open Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys on the keyboard at the same time. If that doesn't work, right-click the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen and then select Task Manager. If Task Manager doesn't flicker, an app is probably causing the problem. If Task Manager does flicker, a display driver is probably causing the problem.

Uninstall an incompatible app

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There are three apps that are known to cause screen flickering in Windows 10: Norton AV, iCloud, and IDT Audio. In most cases, uninstalling these apps will fix the problem. If you have any of these apps installed, use one of these methods to uninstall them.

  1. 1
    Method 1, Uninstall from Settings:
     
    1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows logo key +I on your keyboard. If that doesn't work, select the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen and then select Settings.
    2. From Settings, select System > Apps & features. It'll take a moment for your apps to appear.
    3. Scroll down the list and find the app you want to uninstall. Select the app, and then select Uninstall > Uninstall. If you're asked to confirm your choice in a User access control window, select Yes. The app might uninstall on its own, or it might open a separate uninstaller where you'll have to take additional steps to remove it.
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  2. 2
    Method 2, Uninstall from the Start menu
    :
     
    1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows logo key on your keyboard (or selecting the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen).
    2. From the Start menu, select All apps.
    3. Scroll down the list and find the app you want to uninstall. Right-click the app, and then select Uninstall. If you're asked to confirm your choice in a User access control window, select Yes. The app might uninstall on its own, or it might open a separate uninstaller where you'll have to take additional steps to remove it.
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  3. 3
    NOTE
    :
    If you want to keep using Norton AV, iCloud, or IDT Audio in Windows 10, go to the app manufacturer's website for more info on app updates and Windows 10 compatibility.
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Update your display driver

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To update your display driver, you'll need to start your PC in safe mode, uninstall your current display adapter, and then check for driver updates.

  1. 1
    Start your PC in Safe Mode, then right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
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  • 2
    Expand the Display adapters section, right-click the listed adapter, then select Uninstall
    .
    Select the Delete the driver software for this device check box, then select OK and restart your PC.
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  • 3
    After your PC restarts, press the Windows logo key +I on your keyboard to open Settings
    .
    If that doesn't work, select the Start button and then select Settings.
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  • 4
    From Settings, select Update & security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
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  • 5
    NOTE
    :
    If you have multiple display adapters, you'll need to disable the added adapter (often an Intel HD 400 or AMD Radeon HD 4200) by right-clicking it from the list in Device Manager and selecting Disable > Yes. Then, turn off your PC, disconnect installation or recovery media (if you're using it), and turn your PC back on. If that doesn't fix the flickering, restart your PC in safe mode, re-enable the added display adapter, and then disable the other adapter.
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  • If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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    Categories : Windows

    Recent edits by: Sean Zylow

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