Videos and Desktop Apps make my screen flicker

[jmb2685]

Hi, I have HP Pavilion - 15t-cs300 CTO. For a long time now, whenever I try to watch a YouTube video and use picture in picture, or just watch on Chrome/Firefox/Edge, my screen will start to flicker. It causes parts of the screen to go black, jump around, and freeze. I always need to shut my laptop screen down, wait 10 seconds, and start again. Similar thing happens when I use the Spotify desktop app. I've downloaded and removed many times, but just trying to search an artist will cause the entire laptop to freak out.

I've checked my video settings but it seems fine, and some help options I have looked into are not working. Any help would be appreciated!

[Jerry_57]

Hi @jmb2685,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your HP Pavilion 15t‑cs300 CTO is experiencing GPU driver or refresh rate conflicts that show up during video playback and desktop apps like Spotify. Here are the most effective fixes you can try:

Steps to Fix Screen Flicker

1. Update Graphics Drivers

Open Device Manager → Display Adapters.

Right‑click your Intel/NVIDIA GPU → Update driver → Search automatically.

For best results, download the latest drivers directly from Intel/NVIDIA or use HP Support Assistant to ensure compatibility. HP Support Assistant | HP® Support.

2. Check Task Manager Behavior

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

If Task Manager flickers too → it’s a system‑wide driver issue.

If only apps flicker → it’s app‑specific (Chrome/Spotify).

3. Adjust Refresh Rate

Right‑click desktop → Display settings → Advanced display.

Set refresh rate to 60Hz (or 59.94Hz if available). Incorrect refresh rates often cause flicker.

4. Disable Hardware Acceleration

In Chrome/Firefox/Edge → Settings → System → Disable hardware acceleration.

In Spotify → Settings → turn off hardware acceleration.

Restart apps and test again.

5. Run HP Diagnostics

Restart → press ESC repeatedly → F2 System Diagnostics.

Run Display Test to confirm panel health.

6. Check for BIOS/Chipset Updates

Visit Official HP® Support for your Pavilion model.

Install the latest BIOS and chipset drivers.
 

I hope this will help.

 

Take care and have a good day.