Don’t worry — this is a common issue and usually easy to fix!
“Screen Flickering or Flashing”
What This Means (In Plain English)
Your computer screen is flickering or flashing. This is usually caused by an incompatible app or display driver.
Common Causes
- •An incompatible display driver
- •A problematic app like Norton, iCloud, or certain antivirus programs
- •A loose monitor cable (on desktop computers)
How to Fix It — Step by Step
- 1
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager — if Task Manager flickers too, it is likely a driver issue. If not, it is likely an app.
- 2
If it is a driver issue: Device Manager > Display Adapters > right-click > Update Driver.
- 3
If it is an app: think about what apps you recently installed and uninstall them.
- 4
Common culprits are Norton antivirus, iCloud, and IDT Audio.
- 5
Try changing your display refresh rate: Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display > choose a different refresh rate.
- 6
Restart your computer in Safe Mode to see if the flickering stops.
How to Prevent This in the Future
Keep your display drivers updated. Be cautious about installing programs that modify screen behavior.
Related Errors You Might See
Still stuck? Don’t worry!
If the steps above did not solve the problem, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or contact us and we will do our best to assist you.