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If your Windows 11 screen started flickering after a graphics driver update, the display driver may be the cause—but an incompatible app can look similar. Use Task Manager to choose the right troubleshooting path: if it flickers too, focus on the driver; if it stays steady, investigate apps. The timing makes a driver rollback worth trying, but does not by itself prove the update caused the problem.

What causes Windows 11 screen flickering?

Microsoft says Windows 11 screen flickering is usually caused by a display-driver issue or an incompatible app. A recent driver update is a plausible trigger, but it is not a diagnosis: the Task Manager check below helps distinguish between the two likely branches.

First, try a graphics reset and restart

  1. Press Windows logo key+Ctrl+Shift+B once. This resets the graphics driver and may resolve the flicker.
  2. If the screen continues to flicker, restart your PC.

These quick steps are easy to try, but neither is a guaranteed fix.

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Check whether Task Manager flickers

Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Task Manager. Watch it while the rest of the screen flickers.

What you see More likely cause What to try
Task Manager flickers too A display-driver issue Try the driver steps below, starting with rollback if the problem began after an update.
Task Manager stays steady while other content flickers An incompatible app Update or uninstall likely incompatible apps.

This is a useful indicator, not a conclusive test. If Task Manager flickers along with the screen, proceed with driver troubleshooting; if it remains steady, start with apps.

If Task Manager flickers, roll back the display driver

If the flicker began after a recent Windows Update, Microsoft recommends rolling back the display driver in Device Manager and restarting Windows.

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  1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Right-click your display adapter and select Properties.
  4. Open the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver.
  5. Follow the prompts, then restart your PC.

You need administrator privileges. Windows may not offer Roll Back Driver if it has no previous driver available to restore.

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If rollback is unavailable or does not fix it

Microsoft’s next options are to update or uninstall the display driver. For an update, use Device Manager or follow the current instructions from your PC or graphics-adapter manufacturer; the correct driver and installation process can vary by device.

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To uninstall through Device Manager, open Display adapters, right-click the adapter, and choose Uninstall device. Follow the prompts and restart. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver after the restart. If flickering persists, check the manufacturer’s guidance for your specific device rather than downloading a driver from an unverified site.

If Task Manager stays steady, investigate apps

An incompatible app is more likely when Task Manager remains steady while other screen content flickers. Update a likely app through Microsoft Store or its manufacturer. If the cause is unclear, uninstall apps one at a time and check after each removal whether the flickering stops.

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What if the screen still flickers?

Before contacting Microsoft or your device or graphics-adapter manufacturer, record the information they may need:

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  • Your display adapter or GPU name.
  • The installed driver version.
  • Your Windows build.
  • Whether Task Manager flickers along with the rest of the screen.

There is no single driver version or hardware cause established for every Windows 11 flicker case. A separate Microsoft notice described a specific compatibility issue involving certain Nvidia display-adapter drivers and upgrades to Windows 11 version 24H2 or later. It was scoped to that upgrade and driver situation; it should not be treated as a general explanation for flickering or proof that the safeguard described in the notice is active now.

Quick Recap

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