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
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
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.
- 1Method 1, Uninstall from Settings:
- 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.
- From Settings, select System > Apps & features. It'll take a moment for your apps to appear.
- 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.
- 2Method 2, Uninstall from the Start menu:
- 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).
- From the Start menu, select All apps.
- 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.
- 3If 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.NOTE:
Update your display driver
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.
- 1Start your PC in Safe Mode, then right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
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.