Troubleshoot screen flickering in Windows 10

Screen flickering in Windows 10 is usually caused by a display driver issue or incompatible app. To determine whether a display driver or app is causing the problem, check to see if Task Manager flickers. Then, based on that information, you’ll need to update, rollback, or uninstall your display driver or update or uninstall the app.

For more, select any of the following headings, and it’ll open to show more info:

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open Task Manager. If you don’t see Task Manager after pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

If Task Manager flickers along with everything else on the screen, a display driver is probably causing the problem. In this scenario, see the Fix your display driver section.

If Task Manager doesn’t flicker while the rest of the screen is flickering, an incompatible app is probably causing the problem. In this scenario, see the Update or uninstall an incompatible app section.

Note: For help with a flickering or scrambled screen on a Surface Pro 4, see Surface Pro 4 screen flickers or is scrambled.

If you’re having trouble seeing your screen properly, you may need to start your PC in safe mode to follow the steps below.

If Windows Update recently made updates to your device, roll back your display driver. Otherwise, try updating or uninstalling your display driver to fix the flickering or scrambling problem.

Roll back your display driver

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, and then select it from the list of results.

Select the arrow to expand Display adapters.

Under Display adapters, right-click the adapter, then select Properties.

Select the Driver tab, and then select Roll Back Driver > Yes.

Restart your device.

You must have administrator privileges to roll back or uninstall a device or driver package using Device Manager.

If the Roll Back Driver option is unavailable, Windows doesn’t have a previous driver to roll back to and won’t be able to complete this process.

Update your display driver

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, and then select it from the list of results.

Select the arrow to expand Display adapters.

Under Display Adapters, right-click the adapter, then select Update.

Note: You may need to contact your PC or display adapter manufacturer to download the most recent driver for your system.

Uninstall your display driver

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, and then select it from the list of results.

Select the arrow to expand Display adapters.

Under Display adapters, right-click the adapter, then select Properties.

Select the Delete the driver software for this device check box, and then select OK.

Restart your device and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.

Note: If you don’t see Delete the driver software for this device check box, make you started your PC in safe mode.

Update an app

If the app didn’t come from Microsoft Store, check the manufacturer’s site for updates.

Uninstall an app

Some apps may not be compatible with Windows 10 and can cause a flickering or scrambled screen. Try uninstalling the app, here’s how:

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Apps > 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, select Yes.

After you uninstall the first app, restart your device and check if the screen flickering or scrambled issue is resolved or not. If it’s not, uninstall each app one by one until the issue is resolved.

Reinstall an app

Select the Microsoft Store icon on the taskbar.

Select More > My Library.

Select the app you want to reinstall, and then select Install.

If your app isn’t in Microsoft Store, reinstall it from the manufacturer’s site.

Windows 10 Screen Flickering after latest Windows Update — even in safe mode

Please help! I ran the Windows Update on my Dell Inspiron this morning.

I get the normal login screen, but the moment you log in, the screen flashes black

I have now restarted Windows in Safe mode with the same results

Replies (3) 

1
Open Device Manager (accessible by right clicking your Start Button)
Expand the Display Adapters Section
Right click your video card and choose Properties
On the Driver Tab, choose ‘Roll back Driver’

Restart your PC once done . . .

If that does not resolve the issue, go to the support page for your device on the manufacturers website, then download and install the video driver they recommend, it may well be an older version to the one you are currently running

2.
If the above did not resolve this for you:

Press the Shift Key and click Restart

Your PC will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment

Please try each option one at a time, then see of Windows will boot . . .

Go to Troubleshoot — Advanced Option — Startup Repair
See if Windows startup can repair itself

Go to Troubleshoot — Advanced Option — System Restore
Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

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Hi IsoldeBarnard
I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

Take actions related to Display Driver as the first level of troubleshooting
Windows Key+X > Click Device Manager > Expand Display Adapter > Right click on entry below >

A. Rollback the Driver
Click Properties > Go to Driver tab > If there is rollback option, click it

B. Update driver from manufacturer’s website
Go to the website of the driver’s manufacturer or computer’s manufacturer > See if some driver is released for your model and OS > If yes, download that > In previous option, click Uninstall > Install the downloaded driver > Restart your computer

Do let me know if you require any further help on this. Will be glad to help you.

Best regards
Vijay A. Verma @ http://www.eforexcel.com/

Timezone: UTC+05:30, PST+12:30
Availability Hours (UTC) : 05:00 AM — 05:00 PM

screen flickering after windows update

Replies (3) 

I’m Independent Advisor and Microsoft MVP, here to help you with your question.

Please refer suggestions mentioned here:

Let us know if this helps!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.

Helping Windows users, since 2010 · Please remember to mark replies as answers, if they helps!

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Great! Thanks for your feedback.

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Hi JamesMicrosoft,
I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

Please try these options one by one and check after each option.

1. Use the Hardware & Devices Troubleshooter
Type Troubleshoot in Windows Start Search box > Click Troubleshoot > Scroll down & Click Hardware & Devices > Click Run the Troubleshooter & follow on-screen directions > Restart the computer after troubleshooting is completed

2. Take actions related to Display Driver
Windows Key+X > Click Device Manager > Expand Display Adapter > Right click on entry below >

A. Rollback the Driver
Click Properties > Go to Driver tab > If there is rollback option, click it

B. Update driver from manufacturer’s website
Go to the website of the driver’s manufacturer or computer’s manufacturer > See if some driver is released for your model and OS > If yes, download that > In previous option, click Uninstall > Install the downloaded driver > Restart your computer

There are three actions which you can undertake. You can try them one by one and check after each.

1. Restore from a system restore point to a point when things were working fine
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/.

2. If the issue has been caused due to recent Windows update — I would suggest that you uninstall the latest KB update and hide it so that it doesn’t install it automatically and wait for new update to come which will be installed automatically.

To know which update got installed
Windows Key+i to invoke Settings > Update & Security > Click View installed update history. These KBs should be from the below list. Don’t uninstall any other KB
For 1809 — https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4464619
For 1803 — https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4099479
Make note of KB and uninstall and block it.
Uninstall
Windows Key + R > Type: appwiz.cpl > Enter > Click View installed updates > Select the required updates, right click, uninstall.
Block
Microsoft has provided a tool Show/Hide Updates tool to block the update
Download the tool from below link
http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2.
When you run this troubleshooter, it will search for available updates and list them
Select the update which you want to hide. Click Next and follow on-screen directions

3. Perform a Windows 10 repair upgrade. Repair upgrade fixes all Windows errors and retains all files, applications and settings. (You will not lose any data while backup is a good idea) Below is a good guide to perform repair upgrade
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repai.

Do let me know if you have any more question or require further help. If above didn’t work, I will supply more troubleshooting steps to solve this problem.

Disclaimer — This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Best regards
Vijay A. Verma @ http://www.eforexcel.com/

Timezone: UTC+05:30, PST+12:30
Availability Hours (UTC) : 05:00 AM — 05:00 PM

Flickering screen after Windows 10 update

Several days ago I posted this question:

After my desktop was auto updated last night, it had a blinking screen. I have tried every solution I could find on Microsoft forums today and can’t use any of them due to the blinking screen preventing me from typing anything or allowing me to click on anything. I can’t restart in safe mode because Windows does not recognize the user password although it is absolutely the correct one as I used that very one when I started the computer this morning. I can’t restore to a previous point because Windows does not seem to recognize my administrator password either. Nor can I set a ‘built in’ administrator just for this purpose as is suggested in the forums because, thanks to the blinking screen, I can’t get to the user profiles. So, Microsoft , you have broken my computer and none of your «experts» have managed to offer any solutions. Can you PLEASE come up with a fix that will allow me to use the computer that YOU ruined while I slept?

The response I received from Deepika Gowda was:

1. Which was the latest update installed on your computer?
2. When exactly you get flickering screen on your computer?
3. Do you have different user accounts on your computer?
4. How exactly are you trying to perform Restore on your computer?
5. I suggest you to refer to: Troubleshoot screen flickering in Windows 10 for flickering screen and check if it

I answered immediately and have been ignored. Here are my answers again, just in case someone at Microsoft decides they feel like helping clean up

the mess they’ve made of my computer.

1. I can’t tell you exactly which update was

installed. My computer is set to automatically update weekly so whatever was installed is whatever was most recently available.

2. The flickering screen began as soon as the computer was restarted after the updates were installed.

3. I have two user accounts, one standard and one administrator. I have an admin password set up but Windows does recognize it although I am using the correct one. I cannot reset it because I can’t access the settings due to the flickering.

4. I can’t perform Restore the usual way, through settings, because of the flickering. I found on the forum that when I bring up task manager, there’s an icon in the lower right for shut down or restart. If I press shift/restart if takes me to a screen with the troubleshooting option. From there I can restore. However, I can’t restore because an administrator password is required and even though I am using the correct password Windows rejects it.

As I said. I have tried ALL the solutions offered on the forum. Also, I see the link you provided about checking and updating or uninstalling apps and drivers. This is not possible. As I ALREADY SAID in my original post, I CAN NOT access the settings menu of my computer due to the blinking/flickering. Since it seems beyond your comprehension, let me break it down for you: the screen flashes nonstop. The mouse pointer is in a constant ‘wait, not ready yet’ state’ and it is completely IMPOSSIBLE to type or even click on anything. So ANY solution that requires typing in the search box, using any menu or, really using any part of the computer that requires using Windows if it must be done through GUI or needs the admin password is not possible.

Windows 10 screen flicker after update

I updated my PC to the latest update and left it running all night on December 2, 2020. The next morning, I was still able to use my PC without a problem. Then I turned it off, as usual, to go to work and when I turned it on again after a few seconds, my screen instantly flickered and crashed at the Windows login screen. I cannot log in or enter safe mode. After unplugging the power core, check the RAM, replace the cable connected to the monitor and turn it on again. it encountered the same problem, crashed at the windows logon screen or it won’t show anything or even my wired keyboard doesn’t seem to be connected.

At this point, I don’t know what to do. What can I do to fix this flickering issue, which is keeping me from doing anything on the PC?
* The key here is that I cannot log in or even see anything and there is no sign of a cable problem

Hi HH. I’m Greg, an eleven years awarded MVP, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

Can you try another monitor or cable to compare? If that doesn’t help then you need to interrupt the failed effort to start Windows to throw it into the Repair mode or boot the media I’ll provide you.

Because this was caused by an Update the fixes call for steps to recover from failed Updates or Version Update install which cause Windows to fail to start or function. If any steps won’t work then report back and move on to the next. At least one step will always work, leading up to if necessary doing an automated Reset or a gold standard Clean Install:

1) Try whichever method works in this tutorial link to get into Advanced Startup Options to run System Restore or Uninstall Updates button, or if this is a version update Go Back to Old Version: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc. .

Easiest is to restart or force shutdown the PC 3 times to force it into Repair Mode.

If you are able to access System Restore or Go Back and it fails, skip to step 3.

2) If necessary borrow another PC and follow the steps in the middle of this download page to create bootable installation media to access the repair options if not accessible by any other method: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m. . The bootable media is also the only method that doesn’t require the password if you’re stuck on that.

Boot media by powering up the PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor.

You may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup to turn off Fast Boot if it won’t allow the Boot Menu key to interrupt starting Windows: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis.

Choose UEFI version of media if offered, browse to second screen to Repair Your Computer link.

3) Choose Advanced Troubleshoot options to run System Restore, the new Uninstall Updates button, or if this was a version Update choose More Options to Go Back to Old Version.

If it rolls back then you can hide the Windows Updates and Version Upgrade responsible until they mature by installing and running immediately the Hide Updates tool: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent.

There is a new option after Version 1809 to roll back Windows Updates from the Repair Mode in Option Four here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5486-uninst.

If this fails try a Startup Repair, or go back to Troubleshoot Options on the previous screen to Reset your PC which will save your files while reinstalling Windows.

4) If that fails you can use the booted media created in Step 2 to Clean Install the latest version which should get you past all difficulties as it has hundreds of thousands of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki. The link compiles the best possible install of Windows 10 that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given.

There is a step to rescue files from the same bootable media: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.

Make sure during the booted install to follow the illustrated steps to delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, then click Next to let it auto-create the needed partitions, format them and begin install — this makes it foolproof.

The media provided for the Clean Install is latest and normally the problems go away with the Clean Install, however if they don’t you can find earlier version media to use here: https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php
Burn to DVD or create bootable 8+gb flash stick installer using this tool installed to Windows: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/detail.

Then once you’re back in Windows 10, you can block the problem Update using one of these methods:
https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta.

For Version Updates the most stable method to install is using the media as shown in these steps for overcoming Version Upgrade problems: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.

Good news, Microsoft is giving back to users more control over Updates as announced recently here: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/201.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it’s resolved.

______________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Windows MVP 2010-20

Over 100,000 helped in forums in 10 years
I do not quit for those who are polite and cooperative.
I will walk you through any steps and will not let you fail.