Dell Monitor Flickering [Fixed 2023]

Flickering is a disturbance in the cyclic refresh rate of a screen or the brightness of video display devices visible to human eyes. Flickering can occur in any video display device, such as monitors, TVs, and laptops.

Interestingly, compared to other monitor brands such as Acer, Viewsonic, or Samsung, Dell monitor flickering is more commonly discussed on various technical forums.

This indicates that Dell monitors are especially prone to flickering. But anyhow, most of the time, this is not a significant issue and has something to do with PC settings.

These might be the reasons behind Dell Monitor Flickering:

1. Slow screen refresh rate (solved by selecting a higher refresh rate in the display settings)
2. A loose power cable (solved by securing it properly in the ports)
3. Multiple power cables fitted in a single power extension
4. A worn out display cables such as VGA, HDMI, DVI, or DP (Buy a new one)
5. Loose or poorly fitted display cables
6. Problem with graphic card drivers
7. Damage power supply inside the monitor (needs replacement by taking it to a lab)

Now that we know what causes the dell monitor to flicker let’s fix them.

Fix 1: Increase the Refresh Rate of Your Monitor

Monitors constantly flicker. It’s our eyes that are unable to see it when the refresh rate is high. That is why moving black lines appear when you try to capture an image of your screen with a camera.

The monitor’s refresh rate is the times it revamps the LEDs in a second. A normally functioning screen refreshes itself faster, so you do not notice it!

That is why simply increasing the refresh rate of your monitor might solve your problem. Here is how to do it,

Step 1: Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings

Step 2: Scroll Down to the end and select Advanced Display Settings

Step 3: Select Refresh Rate and Select a higher refresh rate (however, it is limited by the model of your monitor; some have a higher refresh rate up to 120 Hz while others are limited to 60 Hz).

You need to test each refresh rate, restart the computer and see if the flickering has stopped. If it doesn’t stop the flickering, try a higher one.

It is also essential to know that Dell monitors have a recommended screen refresh rate Hertz (Hz) setting. Check them out on their website Dell user manual lookup by entering your monitor model number website:

Fix 2: Fix Power Supply Issues

Similar to monitors, electricity has cycles. In the US, it is 60 Hz per second and is adjusted for the appliances to work flawlessly.

Therefore, Inspect your power cable because if it is loosely fitted or if its female end is worn out/damaged, it will fail to deliver proper electric current cycles. This will cause your Dell monitor to flicker.

If your power cable is working perfectly, check your main electricity board. It has a meter which shows the frequency of electricity. You can also buy a frequency meter to check the frequency of your electricity if your board lacks one.

Another vital reason for Dell monitor flickering is many devices are plugged into the same power outlet. The reason behind this is electric flux from other devices. These electric fluxes can distort the frequency of your monitor’s refresh rate.

To solve this problem, plug out other devices and ensure they are powered by an extension kept at a distance.

Fix 3: Examine Input Cables and Ports

HDMI, DisplayPort (DP), VGA or DVI, and display cable often cause your Dell monitor to flicker.

The First step is to look for any visible damage to the display cables and their ports.

Next, carefully examine both ends of the cable and inspect the pins. A damaged pin or head can be the cause of the flicker. Also, look at whether they are properly secure in place or not. A loose connection must be snugly fitted.

If your screen is still flickering, use a different port and cable, e.g., replace VGA with HDMI.

Fix 4: Update Graphic Card Drivers

Another important reason for your monitor screen to flicker might be bad graphic card drivers. You must ensure the drivers are fully installed, functional, and updated.

You can check your graphic card drivers by,

1. Open Control Panel
2. Select Display Adapters
3. Select your Graphic Card
4. Click on drivers
5. Check if they are working fine and up to date

If not, you can automatically or manually update the graphic card drivers if you have pre-saved drivers on your computer.

Sometimes Windows 10 automatically loses connectivity to the display due to a bug. In such cases, press the Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B on your keyboard, and it will restart the video driver.

Accessories such as USB devices, speakers, and printers may also cause a monitor screen to flicker.

Please contact Dell sales & support at 1-877-717-3355 if nothing works for you. They will also guide you regarding warranty policy and replacement.

Conclusion!

1. The most common cause of Dell monitor flickering is a slow screen refresh rate. That needs changes in display settings, and you need to select a higher refresh rate until the flickering stops.
2. On the other hand, a loose or damaged display cable may be the only issue. The display cable must be connected securely and should be undamaged.