Screen flickering on and off

[HCFranco]

My hp victus 16  screen flickers on and off everytime I use a 3d softare or everytime the fan get's triggered while on power source.

All drivers, graphic driver (nvidia gpu) drivers are updated.

The keyboard light also flickers when this happens.

[Max3Aj]

@HCFranco, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with your laptop, characterized by a flickering screen and keyboard light, particularly during intensive tasks like using 3D software. Let's dive into some potential causes and address the problem.

🔍 Likely Causes

1. Power Supply / Power Management Issue: The flicker occurring only on AC power and during GPU or fan activity suggests a possible problem with power delivery or the motherboard's VRM (Voltage Regulator Module).
2. Overheating or Power Surge Trigger: The fan activation and flickering could indicate a power spike or thermal protection event due to overheating.
3. Loose Display Connector / Ribbon Cable: GPU-intensive applications may cause physical stress on components, potentially affecting a loose display cable.
4. BIOS / EC Firmware Glitch: Issues with the Embedded Controller (EC) firmware, which manages power and fan functions, could lead to flickering.

✅ Steps to Try

1. Test Without NVIDIA GPU

• Disable NVIDIA GPU:
  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display Adapters.
  3. Right-click on the NVIDIA GPU and select Disable device.
• Run a 3D Application: Launch a simple 3D app and see if the flickering persists. If it stops, the issue may be related to GPU load or power demand.

2. Change Power Plan and Limit GPU Boost

• NVIDIA Control Panel:
  1. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. Go to Manage 3D Settings.
  3. Set Power Management Mode to "Optimal power" or "Adaptive".
• Windows Power Plan:
  1. Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Advanced Settings.
  2. Set Processor Power Management > Maximum Processor State to 95% to reduce power draw and voltage spikes.

3. BIOS & EC Firmware Update / Reset

• Update: Visit the HP Support site to ensure you have the latest BIOS and EC firmware.
• Reset BIOS:
  1. Shut down your laptop.
  2. Press and hold Win + B, then press Power.
  3. Wait for the BIOS recovery to initiate (a black screen for a while is normal).

4. Test on Battery Only

• Run Without Charger: Unplug the charger and run a 3D workload:
  • If flickering does not occur on battery, it suggests a potential issue with:
    • The power brick
    • VRM/power components on the motherboard

5. HP Hardware Diagnostics

• Access Diagnostics: Restart your laptop and press F2 repeatedly.
• Run Component Tests: Focus on:
  • Display
  • Thermal
  • Power
  • Video Memory 

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! 

Max3Aj

HP Support