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4 min fix 2 min read Recently reviewedBeginner

By , IT support technician

Quick Answer

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If the Task Manager window flickers along with the rest of the screen, you need to update your display driver.

How to Fix Screen Flickering or Flashing on Windows ​

Estimated Time to Fix: 4 minutes

Applies to: Windows 11, Windows 10
Article Type: Troubleshooting
Last Updated: 2026-07-20

Summary ​

This article guides you through diagnosing a screen that is flickering or flashing by running a simple Task Manager test to identify the root cause.

Symptoms ​

  • Your computer screen constantly blinks, flickers, or flashes.
  • You see horizontal or vertical lines appearing and disappearing.
  • The flickering happens randomly or when using specific applications.

Prerequisites ​

  • None required.

Instructions ​

1. Perform the Task Manager Test ​

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Watch the screen closely while the Task Manager is open.
  3. If the Task Manager flickers along with everything else: The issue is likely a display driver or hardware problem.
  4. If the Task Manager DOES NOT flicker (but everything behind it does): The issue is likely caused by an incompatible app installed on your computer.

2. Fix a Flickering Task Manager (Hardware/Drivers) ​

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Click the arrow next to Display adapters to expand it.
  3. Right-click your graphics card (e.g., Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA) and select Update driver.
  4. Click Search automatically for drivers.
  5. Restart your computer when it finishes.

3. Fix a Stable Task Manager (Incompatible App) ​

  1. Click the Start button and type Settings, then press Enter.
  2. Navigate to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).
  3. Look for recently installed applications, third-party antivirus software, or system utility tools.
  4. Click the three dots next to a suspicious app and select Uninstall.
  5. Restart your computer.

4. Verify Success ​

  1. Use your computer normally and observe if the screen continues to flicker.

Troubleshooting ​

WARNING

If your screen flickers before Windows even starts (e.g., during the manufacturer's logo screen), the issue is almost certainly a damaged screen or a loose internal cable.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Updating the driver didn't workCorrupt display driverIn Device Manager, select Uninstall device, check the box to remove the driver software, and restart.
Flickering only happens on an external monitorFaulty cableCheck or replace the HDMI/DisplayPort cable connecting the monitor.