flickering screen

[Olivia2707]

My screen flickers, no matter what I do. I can surf the internet and it flickers. Even when I play video games, the game sometimes stops out of nowhere, turns gray and pixelated, and becomes unresponsive, forcing me to close the game. When I try to watch a series online, the screen suddenly goes black, and the only thing that helps is turning off the laptop because I can't do anything else.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Olivia2707 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand how disruptive this must feel. A flickering or blacking-out screen combined with games freezing usually points to either a graphics driver issue, display hardware problem, or overheating. 

Here are some clear steps you can take to narrow it down and possibly resolve it:

1. Update Graphics Drivers

Go to HP Software and Driver Downloads. Enter your exact laptop model and install the latest graphics drivers (both Intel and NVIDIA/AMD if your system has them).

Also check for BIOS and chipset updates. These can correct stability issues that cause display flicker.

2. Test in Safe Mode

Restart your laptop and press F8 (or Shift + Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Safe Mode).

In Safe Mode, only basic drivers run. If the screen does not flicker there, it’s almost certainly a driver/software issue.

3. Check Display Settings

Right-click the desktop → Display Settings → Advanced display.

Confirm your refresh rate matches what your screen supports (often 60Hz or 120Hz). Setting the wrong refresh rate can cause flicker.

4. Run HP Diagnostics

Restart the laptop and tap Esc repeatedly → choose F2 System Diagnostics.

Run a display and memory test.

This can confirm if the hardware itself is failing.

5. Overheating Check

If the flicker and crashes happen more often during gaming, overheating could be forcing the graphics card to shut down.

Ensure vents are clear, the laptop is on a hard surface, and fans are working properly.

6. External Monitor Test

Connect your laptop to an external monitor or TV.

If the external display shows the same flickering, the issue is with the graphics system.

If the external display is stable, the laptop’s built-in screen or its cable could be faulty.

If after updating the drivers and BIOS the issue continues both on the internal screen and an external monitor, it usually points to a hardware issue with the graphics card or system board that would need service.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye