Quick answer
Monitor flickering or turning off by itself is most often caused by a bad or loose cable, insufficient power, wrong refresh rate or graphics drivers. First check the cable and another port, then set the refresh rate and driver, and only then rule out a hardware fault of the monitor or graphics card.
How to recognize the problem
- The image on the monitor occasionally flickers or briefly disappears
- The monitor turns off and then back on, often with a signal message
- Flickering appears when moving the mouse or opening applications
- The screen turns off after a certain time even though the computer is running
- Flickering is more pronounced at higher resolution or refresh rate
Most common causes
Loose or damaged cable
An HDMI, DisplayPort or VGA cable may have a bad contact or a break that occurs when moved. This is the most common and easiest cause to fix.
Wrong refresh rate
If the system is set to a refresh rate that the monitor does not support stably, the image may flicker or be lost.
Graphics card driver
An outdated or faulty graphics driver causes an unstable image, especially after a system update.
Insufficient or unstable power
A weak adapter or an overloaded computer power supply can lead to occasional loss of signal on the monitor.
Monitor or graphics card failure
Damaged backlight, monitor control board or the graphics card output itself require service or replacement.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check the cable and connectors
Unplug the monitor from power, then firmly plug the cable in on both ends and check if the connector is damaged. If possible, replace the cable with a spare one and try another port on the monitor and on the computer. A loose DisplayPort cable often causes exactly this kind of flickering.
- 2
Test the monitor on another computer
Connect the monitor to another computer or laptop. If it also flickers there, the problem is with the monitor or cable. If the image is stable, the cause is in the computer, driver or graphics card.
- 3
Set the refresh rate and resolution
In Windows 11 go to
Settings > System > Display > Advanced displayand select a refresh rate that the monitor supports (e.g. 60 Hz). In Windows 10 the path isSettings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. On macOS openSystem Settings > Displaysand check the selected frequency. - 4
Update the graphics driver
Download the latest driver from the graphics card manufacturer's website or update it via
Device Manager > Display adapters. After installation, restart the computer and check if the flickering stops. - 5
Turn off screen power saving
In Windows 11 open
Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep, and in Windows 10Settings > System > Power & sleep. Check when the screen turns off and disable aggressive power saving modes if the monitor turns off too early. On a laptop, also check if this happens only on battery. - 6
Check the monitor power supply
If the monitor has an external adapter, check that it is firmly plugged in and if it heats up unusually. Try another outlet and, if you have one, another adapter with the same specifications. Do not open the monitor unless you are qualified.
- 7
Test with another graphics card or port
If the computer has integrated and dedicated graphics, try the output on the motherboard. This will determine if the problem is with the graphics card output. On a desktop computer, if you decide to do so, unplug the computer from power and check if the card is properly seated in the slot.
- 8
Check if the problem is in the software
Start the computer in safe mode and monitor if it flickers. If there is no flickering in safe mode, the cause is probably a driver or an application that changes the resolution or refresh rate.
If nothing helped
When you have replaced the cable, tried another port and another computer, updated the driver and set the refresh rate, and the flickering still persists, it is probably a hardware fault. Note when the problem occurs (after warming up, when starting a game, when moving the cable) because this helps the service diagnose the cause faster. If the monitor is under warranty, do not open it and contact the seller. For business computers with a dedicated graphics card, also check if the power supply is strong enough for that card, because lack of power often gives the same symptoms.
How to prevent it
- Use quality cables and do not bend them sharply
- Occasionally check that the connectors are firmly plugged in
- Regularly update the graphics driver
- Do not set the refresh rate higher than what the monitor supports
When to call a professional
If you have checked the cables, drivers and refresh rate, and the monitor still flickers or turns off, contact IT support or a service center to rule out a graphics card or monitor fault before permanent damage occurs.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Why does the monitor flicker only when moving the mouse?
This usually indicates a bad cable contact or a refresh rate change that the driver does not support stably. Try another cable and set the refresh rate to 60 Hz.
Is flickering dangerous for eyesight?
Short-term flickering is usually not dangerous, but long-term flickering can strain the eyes. If it is not resolved, it is better to reduce the brightness and use a monitor with a more stable refresh rate.
Can the monitor turn off by itself because of Windows?
Yes, if power saving is enabled or the screen turn-off time is set incorrectly. Check `Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep` (Windows 11) or `Settings > System > Power & sleep` (Windows 10), as well as the selected power plan.