Why your HP laptop screen is flickering and how to fix it

Your HP® laptop screen should be crisp and clear, but if it’s flickering, flashing, or shaking, it can make everyday tasks frustrating. No, it's not some secret hacker trying to take over your machine; it's potentially caused by outdated drivers, incompatible apps, or even hardware problems. The good news? Many of these issues are easily fixable. 

At Asurion, our experts have the know-how to help our millions of customers troubleshoot their tech devices. If your HP laptop screen keeps flickering, here’s what might be causing it—and how to fix it.

Common causes of screen flickering on HP laptops

If your HP laptop's screen constantly flashes, there are a few possible causes:

• Hardware issues: The question "Why is my computer screen flickering?" is often down to loose connections, a damaged cable, or a failing screen.
• Driver problems: Graphics drivers help the system communicate with your display. If they're corrupted or otherwise outdated, screen blinking on an HP laptop is possible.
• Software conflicts: Certain apps, like those with powerful graphics, could force your display to act up.
• Display settings: When refresh rate or screen resolution settings are incompatible with your hardware, you may notice your screen behaving abnormally.

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How to troubleshoot HP flickering issue

If your display keeps flashing or blinking, don’t worry—there are a few simple fixes you can try to get things back to normal.

Check for hardware issues

Before all else, inspect the screen itself for any visible damage. If the flashing only occurs when you move the screen or adjust the angle, chances are the display is faulty or the cable connected to it is loose.

If flickering is caused by a failing display panel, loose screen connection, or faulty internal component, you should contact an HP repair expert for help.

Update or reinstall graphic drivers

If you suspect your computer's graphics are behind your recent HP screen glitches, simply:

• Type out Device Manager in the search bar. Open the app.
• Expand the Display Adapters section.
• Right-click on your graphics card. Then, select Update Driver.
• Carefully follow the on-screen instructions to find any available updates. Install them all.

If this doesn't work, try reinstalling the driver to ensure it's working as it should. Check out our steps for updating computer drivers.

Adjust display settings

Check if your screen is blinking due to a mismatch in display values, just to be sure. 

• Right-click on your desktop. 
• Click Display Settings.
• Navigate to Advanced Display Settings.
• You'll spot Refresh Rate and Resolution settings. Check to ensure they match the recommended values for your display.

Boot in Safe Mode

Booting your machine in Safe Mode can help you determine if third-party software or background processes are causing laptop display flickering. While in Safe Mode, your computer only runs its most essential system processes. If the flickering stops, it's an indication that an application or service is to blame for the glitch.

Has the flickering stopped in Safe Mode? Disabling or uninstalling recently added applications can help pinpoint the culprit.

If you need help, our guide to booting your computer in Safe Mode might come in handy.

Perform a system restore

The trick here is to roll back your laptop to its previous state when the screen worked normally. This is especially useful if you've recently installed updates or software, some of which might have caused the issue.

• In the bottom left corner of your screen, access the Control Panel. 
• Then, search for Recovery.
• Select Open System Restore and follow the on-screen instructions.

Resetting the BIOS

Incorrect BIOS settings also have a reputation for causing screen glitches. Check if that's the case with your machine.

• Restart your laptop.
• Repeatedly press F10 to enter BIOS settings.
• Find the option to Restore Defaults or Reset BIOS to default settings. Then, hit enter.

When should you replace your HP laptop screen? 

Signs that you need a new HP laptop screen include persistent flickering, dead pixels, discoloration, or physical cracks. If the issue started after accidental damage—like a drop or pressure on the screen—repairs might not be enough to restore it. In these cases, replacing the screen is often the best long-term solution.