dead screen/ flickering pixels

[_KP_]

I am facing a screen flickering issue on my HP Notebook - 15s (purchased in 2022). This happens mostly during gaming (Valorant) or heavy tasks, resembling dead pixels. The screen freezes, and I have to forcefully shut it down by holding the power button. The issue also occurs when the laptop overheats, specifically if I touch the area below the left control key. Additionally, the fans become very loud during intensive tasks. I’m unsure if this is related but I wanted to mention it for context. Please assist in resolving this. I’ve attached an image for reference. Thank you.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @_KP_ 

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 combination of screen flickering, dead pixels, freezing, and overheating issues on your HP Notebook. This could be related to several factors, including hardware issues (like the display or GPU), thermal management problems, or software/driver conflicts. Let's go step by step to troubleshoot and identify the cause of these problems:

1. Overheating and Fan Noise

• Overheating is likely contributing to the freezing and flickering issues, especially when your laptop is under load (e.g., while gaming). When the CPU or GPU gets too hot, it can cause the system to become unstable.
  • Check for Dust Buildup: Over time, dust can clog cooling vents and fans, causing poor airflow and overheating. Try cleaning the vents with compressed air to remove any dust.
  • Elevate the Laptop: Use a cooling pad or elevate the back of the laptop to allow better airflow, which can help prevent overheating.
  • Check the CPU and GPU Temperatures: Use a program like HWMonitor or Core Temp to check the temperatures of your CPU and GPU while gaming. If the temperature exceeds safe limits (typically around 85°C or higher), this is likely contributing to the issue.

2. GPU Driver Update

• Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can cause screen flickering, dead pixels, and system crashes. Since the problem happens during gaming, it might be GPU-related.
  • Update your graphics drivers:
    1. Open Device Manager (right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager).
    2. Expand Display adapters.
    3. Right-click on your GPU (Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD) and select Update driver.
    4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
  • Alternatively, you can visit the GPU manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the latest driver directly.

3. Check for Dead Pixels or Screen Issues

• If the flickering resembles dead pixels, this might be an issue with the LCD/LED panel or a graphics card issue.
  • You can check for dead pixels using online tools that display solid colors (like black, white, red, green, etc.) and look for areas that don't change color.
  • If you're sure it's a hardware issue with the screen, you may need to replace the display. However, if the issue only happens during heavy loads, it could be more related to the GPU or thermal management.

4. Run HP Diagnostics

• HP has built-in diagnostics that can check for hardware issues. To run a diagnostic:
  1. Turn off your laptop.
  2. Turn it on and immediately press the Esc key, then press F2 to enter HP Diagnostics.
  3. Run the Display Test and Component Tests to check for issues with the display and other hardware components like the CPU, GPU, and RAM.

5. Perform a System Check for Software Conflicts

• Unstable software (such as corrupted drivers or conflicting programs) could also cause the system to freeze or flicker.
  • Boot into Safe Mode: This can help you determine if the issue is related to third-party software or drivers.
    1. Turn off your laptop.
    2. Turn it on and immediately press the F8 or Shift + F8 key to enter the Advanced Boot Options.
    3. Choose Safe Mode and see if the flickering still occurs when playing games or performing heavy tasks.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support