Laptop screens flickering when charging can be a frustrating issue that many users encounter. This problem not only disrupts the user experience but also raises concerns about the laptop’s functionality and potential damage. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind this issue and provide effective Troubleshooting solutions to resolve it.
Laptop screen flickers when charging: troubleshooting.
If your laptop screen flickers while charging, check the power adapter, adjust power settings, update display drivers, disable adaptive brightness, and test with a different charger. If the issue persists, contact the manufacturer’s support or seek professional assistance.
Check the power adapter.
Make sure the power adapter and charging cable are in good condition and properly connected to both the laptop and the power outlet. A faulty or loose connection can cause power fluctuations, leading to screen flickering.
When I mention “Check the power adapter,” I’m referring to the device that connects your laptop to the power outlet to charge the battery. The power adapter consists of two main components: the power brick and the charging cable.
Here’s what you can do to check the power adapter:
Examine the power brick:
Inspect the power brick visually to ensure there are no visible signs of damage such as frayed wires, bent connectors, or a cracked casing. If you notice any of these issues, it’s likely that the power adapter is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Verify the charging cable:
Check the charging cable for any signs of wear and tear, such as exposed wires or a damaged connector. Make sure the cable is securely connected to both the power brick and the laptop.
If the cable is damaged, it can cause power fluctuations and lead to screen flickering. In such cases, you may need to replace the charging cable.
Ensure a snug connection:
Confirm that the power adapter is firmly plugged into both the power outlet and the charging port on your laptop.
Sometimes a loose connection can cause power interruptions, resulting in screen flickering. Gently wiggle the connections to see if they are loose. If they are, reseat the power adapter securely.
By carefully examining the power adapter and ensuring a proper connection, you can eliminate any potential issues stemming from a faulty or loose power adapter.
Adjust power settings.
When I mention “Adjust power settings,” I’m referring to modifying the power plan settings on your laptop.
Sometimes, certain power settings can affect the screen brightness or refresh rate when the laptop is plugged in.
To adjust the power settings, go to the Control Panel (or Settings in Windows 10) and navigate to the Power Options. Try changing the power plan to see if it resolves the flickering issue.
Power settings control how your laptop manages and distributes power, including screen brightness, CPU performance, and other system resources. By adjusting these settings, you may be able to resolve screen flickering issues when your laptop is plugged in and charging.
Here’s how you can adjust the power settings:
- Open the Control Panel: Click on the Start menu and search for “Control Panel.” Open the Control Panel from the search results.
- Navigate to Power Options: In the Control Panel window, locate the “Power Options” icon and click on it to access the power settings.
- Choose a power plan: You will see a list of available power plans. Typically, there are three options: Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance. Select the power plan that is currently active.
- Modify the power plan: Click on “Change plan settings” next to the selected power plan. From here, you can adjust various settings such as the display brightness, screen timeout, and advanced power settings.
- Adjust display brightness: Look for the option to adjust the display brightness. If it is set to automatically adjust based on the power source, consider setting it to a fixed level. Sometimes, the automatic adjustment can cause flickering when the laptop is plugged in.
- Check advanced power settings: Click on “Change advanced power settings” to access more specific power settings. Look for options related to the display, such as the refresh rate or adaptive brightness. Make adjustments as needed, depending on your laptop’s configuration and available options.
- Save changes and exit: Once you have made the desired adjustments, click on “Apply” or “OK” to save the changes and exit the power settings window.
By modifying the power settings, you can customize how your laptop manages power when it’s plugged in and charging. This may help resolve screen flickering issues caused by certain power-related configurations.
Update display drivers.
To update display drivers, you need to ensure that the latest drivers are installed for your laptop’s display.
Display drivers are software that allows your operating system to communicate with and control your laptop’s display hardware. Outdated or incompatible display drivers can cause various issues, including screen flickering. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your laptop’s display. Install them and restart your laptop to see if the flickering problem is resolved.
Here’s how you can update display drivers:
- Identify the display adapter: Right-click on the Windows Start button and select “Device Manager” from the context menu. In the Device Manager window, expand the “Display adapters” category. It will show the display adapter(s) installed on your laptop.
- Check for driver updates: Right-click on the display adapter listed in the Device Manager and select “Update driver” from the options. This will prompt Windows to search for the latest driver updates online. If it finds any available updates, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install them.
- Visit the manufacturer’s website: If Windows does not find any updates or if you prefer to manually update the display drivers, you can visit the manufacturer’s website. Identify the brand and model of your laptop’s display adapter from the Device Manager and go to the manufacturer’s support website.
- Download the latest drivers: Look for the “Support” or “Downloads” section on the manufacturer’s website. Locate the display driver downloads for your specific laptop model and download the latest version compatible with your operating system.
- Install the drivers: Once the driver download is complete, run the installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the updated display drivers. Typically, you need to double-click on the downloaded file and then click “Next” or “Install” to proceed with the installation.
- Restart your laptop: After the installation is complete, it’s recommended to restart your laptop to ensure the new display drivers are properly applied.
Updating display drivers can often resolve screen flickering issues, as outdated or incompatible drivers can cause display-related problems.
By keeping your display drivers up to date, you ensure optimal performance and compatibility with your laptop’s display hardware.
Disable adaptive brightness.
Some laptops have a feature called adaptive brightness, which automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.
This feature can sometimes cause flickering. To disable it, go to the Control Panel (or Settings) and find the Display settings. Look for an option related to adaptive brightness and turn it off.
To disable adaptive brightness, follow these steps:
- Open the Control Panel: Click on the Start menu and search for “Control Panel.” Open the Control Panel from the search results.
- Navigate to Power Options: In the Control Panel window, locate the “Power Options” icon and click on it to access the power settings.
- Choose a power plan: You will see a list of available power plans. Identify the power plan that is currently active and click on “Change plan settings” next to it.
- Adjust advanced power settings: In the next window, click on “Change advanced power settings” to access more specific power settings.
- Locate display settings: Within the advanced power settings window, find the “Display” category and expand it.
- Find the adaptive brightness setting: Look for an option related to adaptive brightness. It may be labeled as “Adaptive brightness,” “Display power-saving technology,” or something similar.
- Disable adaptive brightness: Once you locate the adaptive brightness setting, change its value to “Off” or “Disabled.” This will ensure that the screen brightness remains constant and is not automatically adjusted based on ambient lighting conditions.
- Save changes and exit: After disabling adaptive brightness, click on “Apply” or “OK” to save the changes and exit the power settings window.
Disabling adaptive brightness can help prevent screen flickering that may occur due to the automatic adjustment of brightness levels.
By keeping the brightness constant, you can have better control over your laptop’s display and reduce the chances of flickering when it’s plugged in and charging.
Check for software conflicts.
Certain software programs or applications can conflict with your laptop’s display settings and cause flickering. Try closing or uninstalling any recently installed programs to see if it resolves the issue.
To check for software conflicts that might be causing screen flickering on your laptop when it’s charging, you can follow these steps:
- Identify recently installed software: Think about any software programs or applications that you have installed recently on your laptop. It could be a new application, a driver update, or any other software that you suspect might be causing the issue.
- Close conflicting programs: If you have any programs running in the background that you suspect might be conflicting with your display settings, try closing them one by one. Pay attention to whether the screen flickering stops when a particular program is closed. This can help you identify the conflicting software.
- Uninstall conflicting software: If you have identified a specific software program that is causing the issue, you may consider uninstalling it from your laptop. To uninstall a program, go to the Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a program” (or “Add or remove programs” in older versions of Windows). Locate the problematic software in the list, select it, and click on the “Uninstall” button.
- Disable startup programs: Some software programs automatically start running in the background when you boot up your laptop. These programs can potentially conflict with your display settings and cause flickering. To disable startup programs, open the Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager.” Go to the “Startup” tab and disable any programs that you suspect might be causing the issue.
- Update or reinstall conflicting software: If you suspect that a specific program is causing conflicts, check for updates or visit the software manufacturer’s website to download the latest version. Sometimes, software updates or reinstalling the program can resolve compatibility issues and screen flickering problems.
By identifying and resolving any software conflicts, you can eliminate potential causes of screen flickering on your laptop when it’s charging.
If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be necessary to seek further assistance from the software manufacturer’s support or consult a certified technician.
Test with a different charger.
If possible, try using a different charger or power adapter to rule out any issues with the charger itself. If the flickering stops when using a different charger, you may need to replace your current charger.
Testing with a different charger can help determine if the issue of screen flickering when your laptop is charging is caused by a faulty charger. Here’s how you can proceed:
- Borrow a compatible charger: Obtain a charger from a friend, family member, or colleague that is compatible with your laptop model. Ensure that the charger has the appropriate voltage and connector for your laptop.
- Unplug your current charger: Disconnect your current charger from both the power outlet and your laptop.
- Connect the different charger: Plug the borrowed charger into your laptop’s charging port and connect it securely.
- Observe for screen flickering: Once the different charger is connected, observe if the screen flickering issue persists while your laptop is charging. If the flickering stops or significantly reduces, it suggests that the original charger may be faulty.
- Assess the charger’s condition: While testing with the different charger, take note of any visible damage or issues such as frayed cables, loose connectors, or signs of wear. If the borrowed charger is in better condition or doesn’t cause screen flickering, it may indicate that your original charger needs to be replaced.
If the screen flickering persists even with the different charger, it suggests that the issue might be unrelated to the charger itself.
In such cases, you should explore other potential causes like software conflicts, display driver issues, or hardware problems.
If you suspect a hardware issue, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance from a certified technician or contact the manufacturer’s support for further guidance.
Here’s a tabular format listing 15 potential causes of laptop screen flickering, along with their reasons, symptoms, and possible fixes:
| Cause | Why | How | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose connection | Poor connection between power adapter and laptop | Screen flickers when the laptop is moved or bumped | Ensure a secure connection and consider replacing the charger |
| Power adapter issues | Faulty charger or incompatible power supply | Screen flickers consistently when charging | Test with a different charger and replace if necessary |
| Display driver problems | Outdated or incompatible display drivers | Screen flickers randomly or after driver updates | Update display drivers from manufacturer’s website |
| Software conflicts | Conflicting applications or incompatible software | Screen flickers after installing specific programs | Uninstall or update conflicting software |
| Overheating | Excessive heat affecting display components | Screen flickers during heavy usage or high temperatures | Clean laptop vents, use cooling pads, or consult a technician |
| Faulty display cable | Damaged or loose connection between display and motherboard | Screen flickers when adjusting the display or opening/closing the laptop | Repair or replace the display cable |
| Hardware issues | Faulty graphics card or display panel | Screen flickers persistently across different tasks | Consult a technician for hardware diagnosis and repair |
| Malware or viruses | Infected system affecting display functions | Screen flickers along with other abnormal system behavior | Run a comprehensive antivirus scan and remove any detected threats |
| Incompatible resolution settings | Display resolution conflicts with hardware capabilities | Screen flickers after changing resolution settings | Adjust display resolution to a compatible setting |
| Aging backlight or inverter | Wear and tear of backlight or inverter components | Screen flickers with dimming or uneven backlight | Replace the backlight or inverter components |
| Magnetic interference | External magnetic fields affecting the display | Screen flickers near magnetic sources or devices | Move away from magnetic sources or shield the laptop from interference |
| Operating system issues | Software bugs or glitches in the OS | Screen flickers after OS updates or during specific operations | Update the operating system or perform a system restore |
| BIOS settings | Inappropriate settings in the computer’s BIOS | Screen flickers during startup or BIOS adjustments | Reset BIOS settings to default or update BIOS firmware |
| Multiple display setup issues | Incompatible settings or faulty connections with external displays | Screen flickers when using multiple monitors or external displays | Adjust display settings or check cable connections |
| Electrical interference | Nearby electronic devices or power sources | Screen flickers near high-voltage equipment or electromagnetic interference | Move away from interference sources or use an EMI shield |
Please note that the provided table is not an exhaustive list and the fixes mentioned are general suggestions. It’s always recommended to consult the laptop manufacturer’s support or a qualified technician for accurate diagnosis and solutions based on your specific laptop model and situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your laptop screen flickers when it’s charging, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to address the issue:
- Check the power adapter: Ensure that the power adapter and charging cable are in good condition, properly connected, and not causing any power fluctuations.
- Adjust power settings: Modify the power plan settings to see if adjusting the display brightness or other power-related settings resolves the flickering problem.
- Update display drivers: Update the display drivers for your laptop’s display adapter to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.
- Disable adaptive brightness: Turn off the adaptive brightness feature, which automatically adjusts screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.
- Check for software conflicts: Close or uninstall any recently installed software programs that might be conflicting with your laptop’s display settings.
- Test with a different charger: Borrow a compatible charger and observe if the screen flickering persists. If it stops or reduces, it indicates a potential issue with your original charger.
By systematically going through these troubleshooting steps, you can identify and resolve the cause of the screen flickering issue.
If the problem persists despite these efforts, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance from a certified technician or contact the laptop manufacturer’s support for further guidance.