How Do I Fix A Flickering Monitor While Gaming? - Gadget Review

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Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons – both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought “why not start a website focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets.

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Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons – both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought “why not start a website focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets.

All Articles by

C. da Costa

Updated

Feb 10, 2024

·

4 min read
how do i fix a flickering monitor while gaming guide
Difficulty Simple Steps 4 Time Required 5 minutes Tools Needed

How do I fix a flickering monitor while gaming? You can adopt many solutions, from installing a new graphics card driver to changing your display’s refresh rate to even investing in a flicker-free monitor. It doesn’t matter what brand of gaming display you have in your setup; this issue can persist if you do not take care of it. Even if you have high-quality, professional monitors, you can still run into flickering issues, but there are ways to resolve this issue.

Key Takeaways_

  • If your screen flickers, check if your display’s refresh rate is low. Even if you own the top-rated 4K gaming monitor on the market, sometimes the refresh rate may not be able to support the current game and needs to be adjusted.
  • If you update your driver or download the latest version and your screen is still flickering, contact an expert technician to sort out the issue.
  • The most common monitor technology that flickers is the LCD screen.

Ideally, the flickering of your monitor as you game seems to be more on LCD and IPS monitors. When you play 4K or 1080 games, the monitor exhibits a black display for a brief moment, and then it becomes normal. Although 1080p monitors are considered excellent for gaming, any flash can annoy and disrupt a competitive gaming tournament.

STAT: A refresh rate of 60Hz can produce a flickering effect on most monitors. However, most gamers find that monitors with 70-90Hz refresh rates and above enable flicker-free viewing. (source)

This is the case if you have a 60Hz monitor that can flicker more when you try to game in full-screen mode. But you do not have to worry. Below, we are going to discuss how to fix it.

How Gamers Can Fix the Monitor Flickering Issue

Optimizing Your Gaming Monitor Setup

Exploring overdrive settings on your monitor can help reduce motion blur during intense gaming sessions. If you’re utilizing multiple monitors, learning how to lock the mouse on one screen while gaming with two monitors can significantly enhance your multitasking capabilities. Understanding the importance of dynamic contrast ratio can further enhance your visual experience. Additionally, using the best monitor stand can improve your ergonomic setup, ensuring comfort during extended play.

1 Alter the Graphics Card Controller

If your gaming PC has a dedicated graphics card, you can fix this issue by altering your graphics card settings. Follow the instructions below:

NVIDIA

  1. Open NVIDIA Control panel
  2. Find the Display drop-down list on the left-hand side of the screen
  3. Select Advanced Desktop color settings
  4. Desktop Programs
  5. Apply

For AMD graphics card users, you can follow similar steps and configure the correct settings.

2 Install Graphics Card Drivers

An outdated graphics card driver or the lack of installing the correct driver can be the root of the problem. In this case, you should update the existing one or install the latest driver.

Now, there are two ways to go about this process – manual and automatic. To simplify the process, you can use Driver Easy or Driver Booster. These two tools can help you update the drivers regularly.

Fix a flickering monitor while gaming

warning

A monitor displaying no signal could indicate a significant issue that needs prompt attention. Incorrect aspect ratio settings can also lead to display problems, so ensure you know the best aspect ratio for gaming to keep your monitor functioning correctly. Familiarize yourself with different connection types, like DVI, to troubleshoot and resolve connectivity issues effectively.

3 Change the Refresh Rate

Suppose the problem persists after sorting out the graphics card issue. In that case, you can tweak the refresh rate of your monitor through the display settings of your Windows 10. This process can fix the flickering problem. Follow the instructions below:

  1. Open settings in Windows 10
  2. Go to “Display.”
  3. Click “Advanced Display Settings.”
  4. Open Display Adapter Properties
  5. Change the refresh rate by increasing the value. It might save the problem.

4 Check your Cables

When the HDMI cable is faulty, your monitor can blink. That is why it is essential to check the connection of the cable. Top-quality cables will also ensure that you have an acceptable input lag for gaming. Although, compare whether HDMI or DVI is best for gaming.

Enhancing Monitor Performance

For those using high-refresh-rate monitors, knowing the difference between 2ms vs 1ms response times can help you choose the best monitor for competitive gaming. If you encounter problems such as a third monitor not being detected, troubleshooting tips can save you from unnecessary frustration. Maintaining a clean monitor is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. Learn how to clean your monitor without streaks to keep your display clear and functioning correctly.

How do I Fix a Flickering Monitor While Gaming? Questions (FAQ)

What is causing my laptop to flicker?

Some of the causes include an aging laptop, loose internal cables, incompatible applications in new machines, or defective hardware. Also, consider checking your monitor warranty or computer insurance to seek professional help if no other method resolves the issue.

How can I stop my laptop from flickering?

You can start by updating your graphics card's drivers, downloading the latest drivers from the manufacturer, disabling Windows' desktop manager, or having an expert sort it out.

Why is my game flickering all the time?

The reason might be that your screen has a low refresh rate. Try to increase it to higher than 75Hz. Alternatively, compare 100hz vs 144hz for gaming monitors with even better refresh rates

References

  1. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/troubleshoot-screen-flickering-in-windows-47d5b0a7-89ea-1321-ec47-dc262675fc7b
  2. https://kb.iu.edu/d/adjt
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flicker_(screen)
  4. https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/geforce-graphics-cards/5/266345/solved-flickering-screen-researched-for-days-tried/
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUkYh_Lp0dI&ab_channel=MJTube

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C. da CostaGrew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons – both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought “why not start a website focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets.

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