External Monitors Flicker Off and On

Hello,

I have three 27" Samsung Curved FHD External Monitors connected to an HP G5 USB-C Docking Station. The laptop I use is an HP Elite Book 830. I read a bunch of forums which stated that you will need to "enable high resolution mode when connected to a usb-c dp alt mode". After enabling this feature in the BIOS, I am able to get three displays (who hoo!) and made the necessary configurations within my display settings so that all monitors are extended and using the recommended 1920 x 1080 resolution. With all of these features enabled, etc. I noticed that the monitors flickers off and on. Not frequently, but sometimes. This is extremely noticeable when I am opening several applications at the same time. The CPU utilization will spike to about 95%.

Anyone seen this issue before? I have the latest firmware installed for the docking station. The specs of my laptop is i7 processor 4 core, 16 GB of RAM and 512 SSD. One monitor is HDMI to the dock, second monitor is running Display to HDMI, third monitor is running Display to HDMI. I know several others that have the exact same setup and don't experience any issues. Another thing to mention is that I have several other peripherals connected to the dock (I.E. Logitech B910 Camera, Red Dragon Wired Mechanical Keyboard, Wired Mouse, HP 8020 Series Printer, External Speakers (auxiliary connection). Latest version of Graphics Drivers have been installed as well. Also, I am running Windows 10 1909 version.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you and I can provide any additional information to support this.

Hi Jesse. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

1) Is there a reason you're running such an old version? If not I would Install the Media Creation Tool from this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m... choosing Download Tool Now, install the tool, open it and choose Upgrade this PC Now. This will save your files and apps while bringing you up to the latest version by the most stable method. It will also bring all of your Updates current and solve most problems since it reinstalls Windows.

2) The Display driver is so important here that merely updating it is sometimes not enough. So let's try everything possible to get it working correctly:

First make sure you have updated the Display driver from the PC or Display adapter maker's Support Downloads web page for your exact model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag - from the sticker on the PC.

While there check also for newer chipset, BIOS/UEFI firmware (very important), network, sound, USB3 and other drivers, comparing to the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu.

If necessary first remove the old driver using DDU https://www.wagnardsoft.com/content/ddu-guide-t... (not necessary with Microsoft Basic driver which is a placeholder if nothing else is available) and/or installing in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

If new driver still won't install DDU see Lightning Leon's Answer here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-US/subject/for...

If this doesn't give you the latest or ideal driver for what you need, compare it to the driver offered by the Intel driver update Utility here: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/...
or the Nvidia GeForce scanner here: https://www.nvidia.com/tr-tr/geforce/geforce-ex...
or the AMD autodect utility here: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/P...

For Display issues one fix that is working is to Roll back or Uninstall the Driver on the Display Device > Driver tab, restart PC to reinstall driver.

You can also try older drivers in Device Manager > Display device > Driver tab > Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick.

Then you will know you've tried everything in addition to Windows Update drivers.

Adjust the screen resolution until it fits and looks best at Settings > System > Display.

3) Try these fixes for screen flickering:

https://www.alphr.com/computer-monitor-flickering/

https://www.windowsdigitals.com/second-monitor-...

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/five-tips-...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF2pmqfHXZ8


4) Have you investigated if there is enough Graphics processing power in that laptop to drive three large monitors via a docking station? Three monitors is always a challenge and often not even possible from the average laptop. So be mindful of that as you look into whether the processors are up to it.


Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

______________________________________________

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____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Last updated May 7, 2024 Views 14,982 Applies to: