A flickering laptop screen can be a headache in more ways than one. It can damage your company's bottom line because the constant blinking is a distraction that produces fatigue. The result is decreased productivity, because you'll require frequent breaks to reduce the possibility of eyestrain and headaches. There are different types of flicker, including brief, random flickers and those that are persistent. The way your screen flickers is helpful in determining the culprit.
-
Change the refresh rate to match the capabilities of your monitor. The refresh rate is a measurement of how many times the screen redraws each second. Although this setting is related to older, desktop monitors, it can affect the quality of the Liquid Crystal Displays found in laptops. Right-click the desktop and choose "Screen Resolution," then click "Advanced Settings" and "Monitor." If enabled, place a check beside "Hide Modes That This Monitor Cannot Display" and choose a higher refresh rate from the list.
-
Update your graphics card drivers. This is the most likely cause if you've always had a problem with flicker. Look for "Hardware and Sound" in the Control Panel and click "Device Manager." Under "Display Adapters," you'll see the exact brand and model of your video card. Go to the manufacturer's driver Web page and search for this model to download the appropriate drivers. Alternatively, you can revert to an older driver if the flicker began immediately after an update. In this case, return to the Device Manager, right-click your adapter and then "Driver." Click "Roll Back Driver" and "Yes" to confirm.
-
Turn on Vertical Sync if the flicker occurs when DirectX or OpenGL is in use, for example, while playing a PC game. Vertical Sync, or VSync, locks the refresh rate of the application to the refresh rate of the monitor. Horizontal flicker is reduced, which improves image quality. For Nvidia cards, VSync is found in "Manage 3D Settings." For Intel, look for "3D Settings" or "Asynchronous Flip." On ATI/AMD cards, turn on "Wait for Vertical Refresh."
-
Lower and raise the laptop screen repeatedly to determine if the flicker is related to movement. Hardware failure is the likely cause when flicker occurs only when the laptop moves. Most likely, the screen cable is loose or damaged, but the inverter and backlight can also cause this problem. The laptop needs to be opened in order to confirm the problem, but do not attempt this unless you are familiar with PC repair and do not mind voiding the warranty. For the best results, take the laptop to a licensed technician or send it back to the manufacturer.
Many of the people here have mentioned this, and I was reminded of it again when I watched Just Josh's great and detailed review of the laptop. So I would like to point out that there are some users here who have reported their screens being set to 60Hz when plugged in, and 59Hz on battery [or vice versa, I forget, but the higher refresh when plugged in would make more sense].
I also remember that on a Toshiba laptop we have from 2011, the screen would randomly be set to 48Hz when on battery and 60Hz when plugged in for no real reason with recent Windows 10 updates. And likewise, when we would plug or unplug the laptop, the screen would flicker and turn black for a couple of seconds. Setting the refresh rate to 60Hz both on and off battery stopped that from occurring.
So for those of you with an XPS 13 9300 or an XPS 15 9500 and the 4k HDR screen, I would suggest at least checking the screen refresh rate settings to ensure that it is set to 60Hz both when plugged in and on battery before disabling the HDR settings. My hunch is that for some reason, Dell defaults the screen refresh rate when on battery with HDR enabled to 59Hz, which does not make much sense.
For those of you that would like a tutorial of how to check or edit their screen refresh rate settings, you may follow the steps below [Windows 10]:
If you are connected to external monitors, make sure that the XPS's screen is enabled
Unplug the laptop if it is plugged in
Open the Windows settings [Open start and click ⚙ icon or press Windows + i]
Click on the 'System' tile
You should be under the 'Display' subcategory. Scroll down to 'Advanced Display Settings'
Click 'Display adapter properties for Display 1.' A dialog box will come up, but this may sometimes get lost behind other windows; you can alt + tab or win + tab to find it again
At the top with the three tabs, click 'Monitor' in the middle
Under the 'Screen refresh rate' dropdown, set it to 60Hz if it is not
Repeat this process with the laptop plugged in to power and ensure it's 60Hz as well
I don't have any of these two devices, but people have said that they were helped by these instructions, so if these help you out, please leave a comment here so that others can be helped by both my feedback and your feedback as well.
Most Helpful Answer
The chosen answer is incorrect. This is an unnecessary expense and bad advice. The problem occurs in a lot of X range ASUS laptops.
I was able to resolve it [so far] by uninstalling the program called Asus USB Charge+ - I noticed that program is set to disable usb charging when the battery reaches 40% by default, and after reading your post I decided to end the process in task manager and uninstall the program.
I also made several changes to the power plan under advanced, but my gut tells me that was the issue.
Choosing Windows 10 balanced power plan under PC Settings.... System.... Power & Sleep.... Click on Additional power settings on the top right under Related settings... Choose Balanced [Recommended] and click on Change plan settings then set the brightness level on battery to 75% or below. Save settings.
This resolved the issue for me. I was even able to move the Balanced screen brightness level back up to 100% on battery after this without the flickering coming back.
I hope this helps. The problem was driving me up the wall.
I have an update.
I finally went ahead and replaced the LCD panel as a last resort. To my great joy that fixed the problem. Someone on another forum pointed out that it most likely is caused by a broken DC/AC converter in the screen. If it is not the screen, it could also be the cable connecting mainboard and screen.
If ASUS claimed that they replaced the screen under warranty they might be lying.
I have the same problem with the screen flicker. Changing the battery with a new one changed nothing. Just letting you guys know. My last resort would be changing the whole screen. But not sure becasue everything works fine when plugged into the wall.
I solved this problem by replacing the screen.
I fixed it! I was the drivers. I installed a clean version of windows 10 as it installs Microsoft basic display driver. Problem solved except now I could not change brightness. After I started windows updated it found the correct driver from Intel. Installed and problem solved. Hope this helps. The drivers from manufacturers web site would not work at all
same here with the flickering, mine is x555L, battery is integrated, nevertheless, i dont think it's a battery issue, do u guys have a dual video card as well ? have you tried formatting your laptop ? has anyone tried contacting asus customer care about this issue ?
please keep us updated if anyone came up with a solution.
thanx
I have an X553M and my screen started flickering one year after I purchassed the laptop. I updated to windows 10 and still no solution. The flickering only happens when I unplug the laptop...te battery is fine, I even ordered a new motherboard and still no solution. I tried everything this and other groups have recommended and still no solution. I am convinced that it looks like a design issue or some sort of power management conflict. I don't like to hate on anyone but this is the second time I have issues with ASUS and their products...it is frustrating to have such a serious issue not being resolved by the manufacturer...ASUS, please look into this..not right having people that buy your laptops deal with something that makes the product essentially useseless...I could have purchased a desktop if I needed to keep it plugged in forever...just a shame
Just to let you know the suggested workaround with the balanced power plan did not work for me.
I have a X555L - Same problem!
I have a Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro with the same problem. I had screen flicker when my battery was around 85%. Yesterday I updated my display driver to the one I found on Lenovo website. I have been using my laptop on battery since then and so far there is no flicker problem. I hope the problem is permanently fixed.
I had the same problem and I solved by replacing the LCD screen REPLACE THE LCD SCREEN
Hi,
I had a similar problem of screen flickering while on battery power on my Asus TP550. I tried all different power settings on my laptop, but with no luck.
Over time the screen flickering got worst until one day my screen went completely blank [on battery power only] and I could only use the laptop when plugged in.
I decided to buy a £75 donor laptop off eBay that had a faulty motherboard, so I had all the parts available to me to correct the problem. After just a couple of minutes, I discovered it was a problem with the back light on the LCD panel and by replacing the LCD panel I was able to correct the problem.
I was able to test this before swapping over the LCD panel. I switched on the laptop [just using battery power], I switched on my iPhone’s torch and shined it through the back of the LCD panel and was able to see the desktop icons.
I swapped the LCD panel, and this cured this problem. I was also able to sell the parts of the faulty laptop on eBay to make back the costs of buying the faulty laptop.
I hope this comment helps someone as this issue was difficult to diagnose.
Same issue. So frustrating. Computer works amazing, u til I try to unplug it from the charger. Help!
I have an R554L and have the same issue. My battery never charges to 100% only to 98%. If I unplug the comuter I can't use it, because the screen flashes so badly.
It also no longer recognizes my phone when I plug it into the computer. It is as if the USB doesn't register that the phone is plugged in, however, all other USB devices work in that slot.
Reinstall doesn’t help. I am actually seeing the flicker during the windows install. Battery doesn’t help either.
Hi guys,
I have an Asus F554L and I am experiencing exactly the same flickering issue.
I am going to try the suggested workaround above with the power plan settings, I hope it will work out because after 1 year of using this laptop having it always plugged in to power is pointless, If i cant move it around without power I'd rather get a desktop.
Definately a bad choice for laptop, specs are fine but quality of manufacturing is below average.
great disccussion, learn much from you
I have read and tested: updating drivers, deleting drivers, tweaking power settings, changing battery and cleaning system. Nothing seem to work permanently - but I think the issue is the screen plug at the motherboard. Did anyone test this???
I had the same problem and had the LCD screen replaced 2 times within the warranty period.
Now is happening again but is out of warranty.
It is not the battery issue.
Hi,
This issue almost drove me mad at a point, but i got the solution finally. This is not a battery or BIOS problem, it is simply a screen problem. Just replace the screen and you are good to go. I changed the battery and the problem persisted, i also uninstalled the USB fast charge app and nothing happened. But when i replaced the screen, all my problems were solved.
How to know it’s a screen problem? when the battery starts getting too low and the screen seems to be dark, get a flashlight and point it at the screen, if you see graphics then you know it’s a screen problem. This is not a software or driver problem, now how do i know this? Simple, just restart the system in BIOS mode and see if the issue persists and also do the test with a flash light.
Don’t go spending money the way i did, just get yourself a good paper screen. The laptop can be selective of screens, so better give it to a good computer technician to get and replace the screen for you.
Enjoy your PC. Cheers
Finally found a solution that worked for me, it’s in the Power Options: Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings > scroll down to ATI Graphics Power Settings > ATI Powerplay settings. Here, under On Battery, mine was set to Maximise Performance. Change this to Maximise Battery Life > Apply. Flickering stopped and I can adjust brightness no problems.
You can check Lcd with VGA port and when i check i understand that battery is good .
I solved this problem by replacing the screen
This solved my flickering problem of my asus X556UB when unplugged. INTEL GRAPHICS set on MAXIMUM BATTERY LIFE
I had this same issue with an Asus I was working on. It drove me nuts until I went into power settings and changed the TDP level on battery from 15W @ 2.2ghz down dow to 11W @ 0.6ghz. Stopped immediately.
Just got an ASUS X555L with a swollen internal battery to fix. Replaced the battery but it made no difference to the screen flickering while on battery only. Laptop was on Windows 10 Pro release 1903. Upgraded to 2004 and updated the display drivers and the flickering disappeared.
Go to power plans in control panel and create a power plan with all the settings to medium. i mean graphics, cpu power management all of that. Restart pc and see
I don’t see where anyone mentioned having the same issue with the wifi. I have this model and I am having BOTH issues! Very annoying to have to restart the computer almost daily because the computer disconnects from the internet, and will not reconnect. It always happens when I am away from the computer, despite my making sure in the settings that the wireless adapter would not turn off in sleep mode, or at all for that matter.
I have never had this issue with any other model of laptop, having had a Dell, IBM, HP, and a Lenovo laptop previously. Since mine is also having other issues, I’m just going to give up and donate it to my friend who rebuilds old computers and laptops. It would be interesting if someone finally figured out the wifi issue.