Screen flickering on Android can be an annoying issue that disrupts your phone’s usability, causing random blinking, dimming, or unstable display performance. Many users experience this problem after software updates, while charging, or due to hardware malfunctions. Fortunately, there are quick and effective solutions to fix screen flickering and restore smooth performance.
From adjusting display settings to updating software and checking for potential hardware issues, several methods can help resolve this glitch. This guide will walk you through the best ways to troubleshoot and fix screen flickering on your Android device effortlessly.
Understanding the root cause of screen flickering on Android is essential to finding the right solution. Flickering can occur due to various reasons, ranging from software glitches to hardware malfunctions. Below, are the most common causes behind this frustrating issue and how they can impact your device’s performance.
One of the most common reasons for screen flickering is a bug introduced in a software update. Android updates are meant to enhance performance, fix security vulnerabilities, and introduce new features. However, sometimes, updates can come with unintended issues, such as screen blinking, flashing, or random dimming. If you notice flickering after an Android update, it could be due to incompatibility between the new software and your device’s hardware, driver conflicts, or a corrupted installation.
If your Android screen flickers after a drop, the problem might be hardware-related. Physical damage to the display panel, loose internal connections, or a failing GPU can lead to persistent flickering. Even if there are no visible cracks on the screen, internal components may have been dislodged, affecting how the display functions.
Certain third-party apps may not be optimized for your Android version or screen refresh rate, causing Android screen flickering in apps. Apps that control display brightness, overlays, or animations can interfere with the phone’s display, leading to glitches. Some power-intensive apps can also put excessive strain on the GPU, causing the screen to flicker during use.
Using an incompatible charger or faulty battery can cause Android screen flickering when charging. Power fluctuations, damaged charging cables, or an old battery struggling to supply consistent voltage can result in screen glitches. When charging, your phone’s display consumes more power, and any inconsistency in power delivery can lead to flickering or dimming.
Excessive heat can cause overheating and screen flickering on Android devices. When a phone gets too hot, the display may start glitching, flickering, or dimming automatically as a protective measure. Overheating can result from prolonged gaming, direct sunlight exposure, or a malfunctioning battery.
Certain display settings, such as adaptive brightness, refresh rate adjustments, and hardware overlays, can cause flickering issues. Adaptive brightness may constantly adjust screen brightness in an attempt to optimize battery life, leading to noticeable flickering. Similarly, enabling hardware overlays can sometimes cause conflicts with certain apps or system processes.
If your Android screen is flickering, one of the best ways to diagnose the issue is by booting your device into Safe Mode. This diagnostic mode disables all third-party apps, allowing you to determine whether an app is causing the flickering problem. If your screen stops flickering in Safe Mode, then the issue is likely due to a recently installed or incompatible app.
Follow the detailed steps below to boot into Safe Mode and troubleshoot screen flickering effectively.
Start by pressing and holding the Power button on your Android device. This will bring up the Power menu, which includes options like Power off, Restart, and Emergency Mode (depending on your device model).
Once the Power menu appears, do the following:
You’ll know your phone is in Safe Mode because a “Safe Mode” label will appear in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
After the phone restarts, observe your screen for any flickering issues. If the screen is stable and flickering has stopped, this confirms that a third-party app is responsible for the problem.
Since Safe Mode disables all third-party apps, you will need to manually identify the app causing the flickering. Here’s how:
If removing a certain app fixes the screen flickering, you’ve found the culprit.
Experiencing screen flickering after an Android update can be frustrating, as updates are supposed to improve your device, not cause new problems. Software updates can sometimes introduce bugs, incompatibility issues, or conflicts that lead to screen flickering. If noticed display issues after updating your Android device, there are a few effective troubleshooting methods you can try.
When you update your Android system, temporary files from the previous version may interfere with the new update, causing screen flickering. Clearing the cache partition removes outdated system files without deleting your personal data.
1. Turn off your phone completely. Ensure your device is powered down before proceeding.
2. Enter Recovery Mode:
3. Select “Wipe Cache Partition”:
4. Confirm the action: Select “Yes” to proceed.
5. Reboot your device: Once the process is complete, select “Reboot system now” to restart your phone.
After your phone restarts, check if the screen flickering issue is resolved.
If screen flickering started immediately after a system update, you might be dealing with a buggy update. Some manufacturers allow users to roll back to a previous version of Android, especially if the new update has major issues.
1. Go to Settings on your Android phone.
2. Navigate to “Software Update” or “System Updates.”
3. Check if a rollback option is available. Some devices (like Samsung and OnePlus) allow you to revert to the last stable version.
4. If an option is available, select “Uninstall Update” and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Reboot your device and check if the flickering stops.
If your manufacturer doesn’t offer a rollback feature, you might need to manually install the previous firmware using third-party tools (this process varies by device).
Sometimes, screen flickering after an Android update is caused by software bugs that affect multiple users. If this is the case, the manufacturer will likely release a patch update to fix the issue.
Experiencing screen flickering while charging an Android device is a common issue that many users face. This problem can be caused by several factors, including power fluctuations, faulty chargers, software bugs, and even hardware malfunctions.
If your screen starts blinking, dimming, or displaying strange flickers when plugged in, it’s important to diagnose and address the root cause immediately. Ignoring these issues can lead to long-term damage, reduced battery performance, and an overall frustrating user experience.
Below, are effective troubleshooting steps to help resolve screen flickering issues while charging. Additionally, we will cover targeted solutions for popular smartphone brands like Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and more.
One of the most common reasons for screen flickering while charging is the use of an incompatible or low-quality charger. Third-party chargers that are not certified by the manufacturer may cause inconsistent power delivery, leading to display instability. Unstable voltage can interfere with the phone’s internal components, causing the screen to flicker or even become unresponsive while charging.
To resolve this issue, always use the original charger and USB cable that came with your smartphone. If the original charger is not available, opt for a high-quality charger that is certified for your device model. Some cheap third-party chargers may not regulate power flow efficiently, leading to fluctuations that cause the display to flicker. If your screen flickering stops after switching to an original or certified charger, the problem was likely caused by voltage instability.
Dirt, dust, or debris accumulating in the charging port can obstruct the power connection, leading to screen flickering while charging. A partially blocked port can cause intermittent power supply, which results in unstable charging behavior and display issues.
To fix this, start by visually inspecting the charging port under a bright light to check for dirt or debris. Use a soft, dry brush or compressed air to gently remove any accumulated dust. Avoid using sharp metal objects, as they can damage the internal pins of the charging port. If the flickering stops after cleaning, the issue was likely due to poor contact between the charger and the device.
Sometimes, the problem isn’t with the phone itself but with the power source. A faulty wall socket, unstable power supply, or a defective USB cable can cause charging issues, leading to screen flickering. If you notice flickering when charging your device in a specific outlet, try plugging the charger into a different wall socket to see if the issue persists.
In addition, try using a different USB cable, as cables can wear out over time. A damaged or frayed charging cable can result in inconsistent power delivery, causing the screen to flicker while charging. If the flickering issue disappears after changing the power outlet or cable, the problem was likely caused by a faulty power source or cable.
Sometimes, screen flickering while charging is related to the device’s display settings rather than a hardware problem. Features like Adaptive Brightness or high refresh rates may cause flickering, especially if they conflict with power management settings.
To resolve this, go to the phone’s Settings menu and navigate to the Display section. Disable Adaptive Brightness, as this feature automatically adjusts brightness levels based on ambient lighting conditions, which may cause fluctuations when charging. Additionally, if your device has a high refresh rate (e.g., 90Hz or 120Hz), try lowering it to 60Hz to see if the flickering stops.
Software bugs can sometimes cause screen flickering when the device is plugged in. Manufacturers often release updates to fix known issues, so checking for software updates may help resolve the problem.
To update your device, go to Settings → Software Update and check if any updates are available. If an update is available, install it and restart your device. Many users have reported that installing the latest firmware has resolved screen flickering issues, especially after recent Android updates.
If the problem started after a software update, check if a rollback option is available. Some brands allow users to revert to a previous version of the operating system if the update caused display issues.
Since different smartphone manufacturers use different hardware and software optimizations, troubleshooting methods can vary. Here are the best fixes for popular Android brands:
Samsung users frequently report screen flickering issues when Adaptive Brightness is enabled. To fix this, go to Settings → Display → Adaptive Brightness and turn it off. If the issue persists, lower the refresh rate from 120Hz to 60Hz and check for software updates.
Pixel devices sometimes experience flickering after system updates. Restart the phone in Safe Mode to determine if a third-party app is causing the problem. If the flickering stops in Safe Mode, uninstall recently downloaded apps. If the issue continues, a factory reset may be necessary.
OnePlus users should check for updates in Settings → System → Software Update. If no updates are available, go to Settings → Display → Advanced → DC Dimming and disable the feature. Many users have reported that turning off DC Dimming resolves the flickering issue.
For Motorola users, hardware overlays may be causing the flickering issue. Enable Developer Mode by tapping Build Number seven times in the About Phone section. Then, go to Settings → Developer Options and disable HW Overlays.
If your LG phone recently suffered a drop or impact, screen flickering could be due to loose internal connectors. Visit an authorized repair center for professional inspection.
Huawei users should switch to a static wallpaper instead of live wallpapers, as animations can sometimes cause flickering. Disabling Adaptive Brightness in Settings → Display may also help.
Some Xiaomi models experience flickering due to refresh rate settings. Go to Settings → Display → Refresh Rate and switch between different options (e.g., from 120Hz to 60Hz). Additionally, check for MIUI software updates.
For Oppo users, updating to the latest software version can fix the issue. Navigate to Settings → Software Update and download any pending updates. If flickering persists, reset the Display Settings to default.
Vivo users experiencing flickering should reset display settings to default. If the issue started after installing a third-party theme, switch back to the default system theme in Settings → Themes.
Screen flickering is a frustrating issue that can make your Android phone difficult to use. While hardware issues, software bugs, and faulty chargers can contribute to flickering, improper display settings can also cause or worsen the problem.
Adjusting key settings can help minimize or completely eliminate screen flickering. Below, are the best settings to apply, explaining why each one works and how to adjust them for a flicker-free experience.
Adaptive Brightness is a feature designed to automatically adjust screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions. While it is meant to improve battery efficiency and visibility, it can sometimes cause erratic screen behavior, including flickering. This happens because the brightness level continuously shifts, creating instability in how the display refreshes.
After disabling this feature, manually adjust your brightness to a comfortable level. This prevents frequent brightness fluctuations, which can cause the screen to flicker. If your screen flickering issue was linked to Adaptive Brightness, this should resolve the problem.
Hardware overlays are designed to optimize graphics rendering, improving battery efficiency by offloading graphical tasks from the CPU to the GPU. However, if there’s an issue with this process, such as software conflicts or display driver glitches, the screen may start flickering. Disabling hardware overlays forces the system to rely entirely on the GPU for rendering, which can stabilize the display and reduce flickering.
After making this change, the GPU will handle all screen rendering, potentially eliminating flickering caused by software-based display rendering.
Many modern smartphones feature high refresh rates (e.g., 90Hz, 120Hz, or even 144Hz) for smoother animations and improved responsiveness. However, if the refresh rate is too high, some apps, games, or even system processes may struggle to synchronize properly, leading to flickering or screen instability. Reducing the refresh rate can help create a more stable display output.
If screen flickering was caused by high refresh rate settings, lowering it should fix the issue immediately. Some older apps or games may not be optimized for high refresh rates, so reducing it can also improve app stability.
Some Android devices come with an Anti-Flicker Mode (also known as DC Dimming) to reduce display flickering, especially at low brightness levels. This feature modifies the way the screen brightness is controlled, minimizing flickering caused by Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)—a technique used by OLED and AMOLED screens.
This setting is particularly useful for users who experience screen flickering when the brightness is set to a low level. If available on your device, enabling it can significantly improve display stability.
Live wallpapers and animated backgrounds can consume system resources and sometimes cause the screen to flicker, especially if the phone is under heavy load or has an aging processor. Switching to a static wallpaper can help prevent these issues.
If flickering was being triggered by GPU overload due to live wallpapers, switching to a static image should immediately stabilize the screen.
Enabling Force GPU Rendering can improve screen stability by ensuring all graphics-related tasks are handled directly by the GPU. This can be useful for devices experiencing flickering due to inconsistent rendering.
This setting forces the GPU to manage all UI rendering, which can help reduce screen flickering in certain cases. However, enabling this option may slightly increase battery consumption.
If screen flickering issues started after a recent update, it’s possible that the update introduced a software bug. In such cases, checking for a new update or rolling back to a previous version may help resolve the problem.
If no updates are available and the flickering persists, consider rolling back to a previous version if your device allows it. Some brands, such as Samsung and OnePlus, provide rollback options through their system recovery tools.
If none of the above solutions work, a factory reset might be your last resort. Before you go down that route, try these steps:
If you must perform a factory reset, ensure you back up your data first. A factory reset can resolve Android screen flickering black issues but should be used as a last resort.
How to Stop Junk Calls on Iphone?
Yes, disabling hardware overlays can reduce flickering.
Solution:
Yes, excessive heat affects display components.
Solution: Avoid prolonged gaming or charging while using the phone. Let the device cool down.
Possible causes:
Solution: Update the app or lower video resolution.
Yes, some malicious apps manipulate the screen.
Solution: Run a malware scan using Google Play Protect or an antivirus app.
This may be due to an incompatible app or RAM overload.
Solution:
Yes, animated wallpapers consume resources and may cause flickering.
Solution: Switch to a static wallpaper.
Brand-specific issues:
Water damage affects internal circuits.
Solution:
Yes, if the issue is software-related.
Solution:
If all else fails, visit a professional repair center. A loose display connector or defective screen may require replacement.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.