Step-by-Step Fixes for Monitor Flickering or Blacking Out

🛠️ Step-by-Step Fixes for Monitor Flickering or Blacking Out

1. Check Physical Connections

Ensure all cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, etc.) are securely connected.
Try unplugging and replugging the cables.
Inspect for damage or bent pins.
Test with a different cable or port if available.

2. Inspect the Monitor

Look for signs of physical damage or overheating.
Try using the monitor with a different computer to rule out hardware failure.

3. Update or Roll Back Display Drivers

Flickering is often caused by display driver issues.
Open Device Manager → Expand Display adapters → Right-click your GPU → Choose Update driver.
If the issue started after a recent update, try rolling back the driver instead2.

4. Reset Graphics Driver

Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver. Your screen may flicker briefly and then return to normal.

5. Check for Incompatible Apps

If Task Manager doesn’t flicker but the rest of the screen does, an app may be the culprit.
Uninstall recently installed or updated apps one by one to identify the cause.

6. Adjust Refresh Rate

Right-click on the desktop → Display settings → Advanced display settings.
Make sure the refresh rate matches your monitor’s specifications (e.g., 60Hz, 144Hz).

7. Power Supply Issues

A weak or unstable power supply can cause flickering.
Try plugging the monitor into a different outlet or using a surge protector.

8. Try Safe Mode

Boot into Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. If it doesn’t, the problem is likely software-related.

🧠 Pro Tip

If you're using multiple monitors, disconnect all but one to isolate the issue. Sometimes interference between displays can cause flickering.