Screen flickers in Windows 10

Screen flickering in Windows 10 is usually caused by incompatible apps or display drivers.

The first step to finding the problem is seeing if Task Manager flickers. To open Task Manager, press-and-hold or right-click the Start button, and then select Task Manager from the menu.

These troubleshooting steps were originally published here. If you have any feedback about these steps, please comment on this Wiki article.

If Task Manager flickers, it's probably because of a display driver. If it doesn't, the flickering is probably because of an app.

To update your display driver:

1.    Start Windows in Safe Mode (for instructions: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode)

2.    Press-and-hold or right-click the Start button, and then select Device Manager.

3.    Expand the Display adapters section, right-click the listed adapter, then select Uninstall. Select the Delete the driver software for this device check box, then select OK and restart your PC.

4.    After your PC restarts, select the Start button and then select Settings.

5.    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 (often an Intel HD 400 or AMD Radeon HD 4200) 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.

Uninstall an incompatible app:

There are three apps that are known to cause screen flickering in Windows 10: Norton AV, iCloud, and IDT Audio. In most cases, uninstalling these apps will fix the problem. If you have any of these apps installed, use one of these methods to uninstall them.

Method 1: Uninstall from Settings

1.     Select the Start button and then select Settings.

2.    From Settings, select System > Apps & features. It'll take a moment for your apps to appear.

3.    Scroll down the list and find the app you want to uninstall. Select the app, and then select Uninstall > Uninstall. If you're asked to confirm your choice in a User access control window, select Yes. The app might uninstall on its own, or it might open a separate uninstaller where you'll have to take additional steps to remove it.

Method 2: Uninstall from the Start menu

1.    From the Start menu, select All apps.

2.    Scroll down the list and find the app you want to uninstall. Right-click the app, and then select Uninstall. If you're asked to confirm your choice in a User access control window, select Yes. The app might uninstall on its own, or it might open a separate uninstaller where you'll have to take additional steps to remove it.                

Note:

• If you want to keep using Norton AV, iCloud, or IDT Audio in Windows 10, go to the app manufacturer's website for more info on app updates and Windows 10 compatibility.