laptop screen flickering and going black when using touchpad

[frglenn]

My screen flickers and goes black when using touchpad.  I have updated drivers, updated BIOS, run diagnostics.  The touchscreen works fine, it is just the touchpad.  Is this a hardware problem that needs to be repaired or a software problem with incorrect settings?

[Max3Aj]

@frglenn, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

• You've updated drivers, updated BIOS, and run diagnostics,
• The touchscreen works fine, but the screen flickers/blackens only when using the touchpad,

this behavior strongly suggests a hardware problem with the touchpad circuitry or its connection to the motherboard — not a simple settings or software issue anymore.

You can try these quick tests to confirm if it's indeed a hardware issue:

1. External Mouse Test
   • Connect a USB or Bluetooth mouse.
   • Disable the touchpad from Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad → Turn off.
   • Use only the external mouse.
     If no flickering occurs, it’s very likely the touchpad hardware is faulty.
2. Touchpad Sensitivity Settings (Optional Check)
   • Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad → Touchpad sensitivity.
   • Set to Low sensitivity temporarily.
   • Sometimes, an overly sensitive touchpad can cause electrical noise, though this is rare.
3. HP Diagnostics (Advanced Component Test)
   • Press ESC repeatedly at startup → Enter F2 HP Diagnostics.
   • Run a Touchpad test if available, or a Component test.
   • Sometimes a touchpad hardware fault will show up here even if Windows diagnostics missed it.

Next Steps

If the flickering still happens after all of the above tests:

• Hardware Repair is needed — likely either:
  • Touchpad replacement,
  • OR checking the touchpad cable connection on the motherboard.

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. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[frglenn]

Thanks for the reply.  I have turned off my touchpad and used a wireless mouse and the same flickering and going dark happens.  I don't know why it would do it with a mouse when the touchpad is turned off.  Sound like software or connection issue?  I'm stumped.  Any advice would be welcome. 

Glenn

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@frglenn, Thank you for your response. 

It's clear the issue is not limited to the touchpad. Since the screen still flickers and goes black even with the touchpad completely disabled, that shifts the diagnosis away from the touchpad hardware and toward a broader system-level issue, which could be:

Most Likely Causes Now:

• Graphics Driver / Power Management Conflict

The flickering and screen going dark could be caused by display driver instability — especially if it’s triggered by user input or activity, like moving the mouse.

Windows 11's power optimization features (like Modern Standby) can also conflict with graphics behavior, particularly on HP laptops.

• Loose Display Cable

Intermittent contact in the internal eDP (embedded DisplayPort) cable connecting the screen to the motherboard could cause flickering or blackouts during slight movements (like touchpad/mouse usage).

• Systemboard Issue or Embedded Controller (EC) Firmware Glitch

Rare, but possible — if the EC or power delivery controller malfunctions, it may cause flickering triggered by power events or I/O device usage.

Recommended Next Steps:

1. Reinstall the Display Driver (Clean Install)

Even if you've updated it before, do a clean uninstall + reinstall to remove conflicts:

• Open Device Manager → Display adapters → Right-click Intel UHD Graphics → Uninstall device (check the box for delete driver if shown).
• Restart.
• Windows will install a generic driver. Then:
• Download the latest graphics driver from HP’s website specifically for the HP Notebook 15-dy1751ms under Windows 11.

Or use Intel’s Driver & Support Assistant to auto-detect and install the latest.

2. Disable Fast Startup (Power Setting)

• Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
• Restart the system.

3. Run the HP UEFI Hardware Diagnostics (Full Test)

• Shut down the laptop.
• Turn it back on and immediately press ESC repeatedly → then F2 to open Diagnostics.
• Run the Extensive Test (not just quick test) for Memory, System Board, and Display.
• This may help detect deeper hardware faults that weren't caught by Windows-based diagnostics.

4. External Monitor Test

• Connect the laptop to an external monitor via HDMI.
• If the external display does NOT flicker or go black while the internal one does, it strongly suggests a screen cable or panel issue.
• If both flicker, it's a GPU or systemboard issue.

If Issue Persists:

At this stage, it’s pointing to either:

• Display cable connection inside (e.g. dislodged or pinched during movement),
• Motherboard/GPU issue, or
• A firmware-level conflict.

In that case, a hardware repair or inspection would be required by an HP Authorized Service Provider. You may visit the nearest HP authorized service center, the service team will check and assist you. 
Kindly follow this link to locate the nearest HP service center: HP® Service Center Locator - United States | HP® Support
(Select the country from the dropdown menu and enter the city name or pincode)

I hope this helps!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Yes” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support