Screen flickering in Windows 10 is usually caused by an incompatible app or display driver. 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 update the app or the display driver.
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.
Three apps were previously known to cause screen flickering in Windows 10: Norton AV, iCloud, and IDT Audio. In most cases, updating the app or contacting the app manufacturer for an update will fix the problem.
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.
- Start your PC in safe mode, then right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section, right-click the listed adapter, then select Uninstall device. Select the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox, then select Uninstall and restart your PC.
- 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.
- From Settings, select Update & security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Note
If you have multiple display adapters, you'll need to disable the added adapter 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.