Screen flickering after running UEFI diagnostics

[Katttttt]

Hello,

Before 1-2 months my laptop screen started flickering a little bit at the top when using the integrated graphics. I manually reinstalled all the display drivers but it didn't help. The flickering didn't occur in safe mode, in BIOS, or when the dedicated GPU was used.  To solve the problem temporarily, I lowered the refresh rate from 144Hz to 60Hz and the flickering stopped.

About a week ago I noticed that the same kind of flickering started happening when booting, but only then. Today, after using my laptop for a while with no problem, I decided to run the UEFI diagnostics. In the UEFI menu the flickering was much worse and my mouse was moving super slow so I closed it and restarted the laptop.

I logged into Windows again and this time there was flickering on the entire screen. In the middle of the screen the UEFI menu was still slightly visible as if it was burned in... Now the menu has gone away but the flickering persists.

I am a computer science student, it's exam season soon, and I have 2 coding projects to finish! Please help

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Katttttt ,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP Pavilion Gaming - 15-ec1011nv is experiencing screen flickering due to an issue with the integrated graphics or the display hardware. Here's a systematic approach to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

Please try the following Troubleshoots steps. 

1.    Turn off the Unit.

2.    Disconnect the AC adapter.

3.    Remove any discs from the disc drive.

4.    Remove memory cards from the card reader slot.

5.    Disconnect all nonessential peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, external hard drives, and USB flash drives.

6.    Disconnect the AC adapter press and hold the power button for approximately 15 seconds.

7.    Reconnect the AC adapter, and then turn on the computer.

Step 2

Turn off the unit and please press and hold the Windows key + letter B key and the power button together for 30 seconds after 30 seconds, 1st release the power button but keep holding the Windows key and B key for ten more seconds and then release these two keys If done correctly, you will see the display flashing once. Please attempt it thrice as this step and Restart the unit

Step3

The unit has to be turned off, Press Win+ V while holding these two keys then Press the Power button, continue to hold all three keys for 30 seconds and then release the Power button first and then release these two keys Please attempt it thrice  and then you may get a Pop-Up CMOS Check and it will restart the unit 

Even if you don't get a Pop-up restart the unit manually after 3 attempts.

Lower Refresh Rate:

• If you haven’t already, keep the refresh rate at 60 Hz to minimize flickering temporarily:
  • Right-click on the desktop → Select Display settings → Scroll to Advanced display settings → Choose 60 Hz under refresh rate.

Connect to an External Display:

• Connect your laptop to an external monitor or TV via HDMI or another port.
• Check if the external display flickers:
  • If it doesn’t, the problem is likely with your laptop’s screen.
  • If it does, it points to a GPU or driver issue.

Enter Safe Mode Again:

• Boot into Safe Mode:
  • Restart your laptop → Hold Shift and select Restart → Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → Select Safe Mode.
• Observe if the flickering persists:
  • If there’s no flickering, it’s likely a driver issue.
  • If flickering occurs, it could be a hardware problem.

Driver and Software Troubleshooting

Reinstall Display Drivers:

• Boot into normal Windows mode and reinstall drivers:
  1. Open Device Manager (Press Win + X → Select Device Manager).
  2. Expand Display Adapters, right-click your integrated graphics card (e.g., AMD Radeon or Intel Graphics), and select Uninstall device.
  3. Check Delete the driver software for this device → Click Uninstall.
  4. Restart your laptop and let Windows automatically reinstall the drivers.

Update BIOS and Chipset Drivers:

• Visit the HP Support website → Enter your laptop model → Download and install the latest BIOS and chipset drivers.
• A corrupted or outdated BIOS may contribute to UEFI and display issues.

Disable Hardware Acceleration:

• Some apps can cause flickering due to hardware acceleration:
  • In apps like Chrome, go to Settings → Advanced → System, and disable Use hardware acceleration when available.
• Restart the app.

Hardware Troubleshooting

Run UEFI Diagnostics Again:

• Restart your laptop and press F2 during boot to enter UEFI diagnostics.
• Run the Display Test to check for hardware faults.
• If the test fails, note the error code and contact HP Support.

Inspect Physical Display Connection:

• Loose or damaged connections between the display and the motherboard can cause flickering. 
  
  Refer to this document: HP Notebook and All-in-One PCs - Troubleshooting screen issues (Windows 11, 10)

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[haseeb18h]

Hi there,

I understand how frustrating screen flickering can be, especially during a busy time like exam season. Let’s troubleshoot the issue step by step to determine the cause and possible solutions.

1. Hardware Diagnostics

Since the flickering occurred in the UEFI menu and left an afterimage ("burn-in effect"), this might point to a potential hardware issue. Please try running the HP Hardware Diagnostics Tool to check the display hardware:

• Restart your laptop and press Esc repeatedly during startup to access the Startup Menu.
• Select System Diagnostics and then run the Display Test.
• Note down any error codes or results and share them here.

2. Update or Roll Back Drivers

It’s great that you reinstalled the display drivers, but ensure the following:

• Update the drivers for both the integrated graphics (AMD/Intel) and the dedicated GPU (NVIDIA) using the official HP Support Assistant or directly from the manufacturers' websites.
• If the issue persists, try rolling back to an earlier version of the driver, as sometimes newer updates can cause compatibility issues.

3. Refresh Rate Adjustment

Since lowering the refresh rate helped initially, this could indicate an issue with the display panel or the connection between the motherboard and the screen. If 60Hz works without flickering, continue using it temporarily while diagnosing the root cause.

4. Check for Heat or Power Issues

• Ensure your laptop is not overheating. Clean the vents and use a cooling pad if necessary.
• Check the power adapter and battery for irregularities, as power fluctuations can sometimes cause display issues.

5. External Display Test

• Connect your laptop to an external monitor using HDMI. If the external display works fine without flickering, the issue may be with your laptop's screen hardware or its connection to the motherboard.
• If the flickering also occurs on the external display, the problem is likely related to the GPU or drivers.

6. Need a Proxy for Unrestricted Access?

While resolving your laptop issue, if you're looking for a secure and reliable way to browse the internet freely—whether for coding resources, videos, or restricted websites—you can check out CroxyProxy. It’s free, fast, and secure for all your browsing needs.

7. Final Steps

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue:

• Backup Your Data: Given the persistence of the flickering, back up all important files immediately.
• Contact HP Support: If the diagnostics indicate hardware failure or the flickering worsens, reach out to HP Support for repair options. Your laptop might still be under warranty.

Here’s the link to HP’s support page for your product: HP Pavilion Gaming - 15-ec1011nv Support.

I hope this helps! Let us know if you have any updates or need further assistance. Wishing you the best with your exams and projects!