What to do when your display flickers or goes black
By Tom Nonmacher
Having a flickering or black screen on your computer can be quite alarming and inconvenient, especially when you are in the middle of important work or a gaming session. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including hardware issues, software glitches, or even incorrect settings. If you are facing this issue, don't panic. There are several solutions you can try to fix this problem. This blog post will guide you through the steps to troubleshoot and resolve this frustrating issue.
The first thing you should do when your screen starts flickering or goes black is to perform a basic check of your hardware. Ensure that all cables are properly connected and not damaged. Check if the power supply to the monitor is stable. If you are using a laptop, check if the issue persists when it is plugged into a power source. Sometimes, the problem could simply be due to loose connections or a faulty power supply.
If the problem persists despite your hardware being in order, it may be due to outdated or corrupt display drivers. Drivers are software that allow your operating system to communicate with hardware devices. You can update your drivers by visiting the manufacturer's website, locating the latest driver for your specific model, downloading, and installing it. If this doesn't resolve the issue, you could try uninstalling and reinstalling the display drivers.
Another potential cause of screen flickering or blacking out could be an issue with your screen refresh rate. The refresh rate is the number of times your screen updates with new information per second. If it's set too low, it could cause your screen to flicker. To fix this, you can adjust your screen refresh rate settings. Go to your display settings, find the monitor settings, and increase the refresh rate to see if that resolves the issue.
Sometimes, the issue could be due to a problematic app or program. You can check this by starting your computer in Safe Mode, which starts your system with a minimal set of drivers and services. If your screen doesn’t flicker or go black in Safe Mode, it suggests that the issue could be related to a program or driver that isn't loaded in Safe Mode. You can then try to identify and fix the problematic program or driver.
In some cases, especially for older monitors, the flickering or black screen issue could be due to the monitor itself failing. If you've tried all the above solutions and your screen is still flickering or going black, it might be time to consider getting a new monitor.
In conclusion, a flickering or black screen can be a frustrating problem, but it's usually solvable with a bit of troubleshooting. If you're still unable to resolve the issue after trying all these steps, it may be best to consult a professional. They can provide more specialized assistance and help you get your computer back to working condition.