Windows 10 · Windows

Troubleshoot screen flickering in Windows

Source-checked 2 August 2026About 10 minutes

Answer

Reset the graphics driver, use Task Manager to distinguish a driver problem from an incompatible app, then update, roll back, or remove the identified cause.

Check the starting state

Before changing screen flickering in Windows, record whether Task Manager flickers with the rest of the screen, the affected displays, current refresh rate, graphics driver, and recent app or driver changes. Keep the current state, exact message, and any recent change available so each result can be compared.

Choose the supported path

If Task Manager flickers, investigate the display driver; if it stays stable while the rest flickers, isolate an incompatible app before broader repair.

Reset the graphics driver

Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B once and check whether the display stabilizes.

Compare Task Manager

Open Task Manager. If it flickers too, the display driver is the likely cause; if it stays stable, an app is more likely.

Repair the display driver

Use Device Manager to update the display adapter, or roll it back if the problem began after an update.

Device Manager Display Adapters on Windows 11

Remove an incompatible app

Update or uninstall recently added apps one at a time, restarting and testing after each change.

Verify the result

the same displays remain stable across two sign-ins and the original application no longer triggers flicker. Repeat the original task once more after reopening the relevant app, connection, or Windows session so a temporary result is not mistaken for a fix.