How To Fix Android Phone Screen Flickering?

Screen flickering on Android phones can happen for a few reasons, but it’s often fixable. Here are some phone repair tips you can try to resolve the problem.

Start by restarting your phone, as this simple step can quickly solve many issues, including flickering screens. If restarting doesn’t help, check for a system update. Sometimes, an update introduces minor bugs, but companies usually issue fixes. Keeping your phone’s operating system up-to-date can resolve these problems. If the screen flickers only in certain apps, update those apps, as outdated versions can cause glitches. Also, adjust your brightness settings by going to Settings > Display > Adaptive brightness, and turn off this setting. Adaptive brightness sometimes interacts with lighting in a way that causes flickering.

What Is ‘Phone Screen Flickering?’

Phone screen flickering occurs when your phone’s screen flashes, blinks or shakes on its own. It can make it hard to see what’s on the screen.

Ways To Fix Android Phone Screen Flickering

Here are some easy cell phone repair tips you can easily try at home to resolve the screen flickering issue. 

1. Restart Your Phone

The easiest fix is to restart your phone completely (not just put it to sleep). Restarting can clear small bugs in the operating system or apps that might be causing the flickering. It’s the classic “turn it off and on again” trick.

2. Update Your Phone’s Operating System

Sometimes, screen flickering is caused by an outdated operating system. Check if there’s an update available for your phone’s OS. Updating to the latest version can fix bugs and make your phone run more smoothly.

3. Update All Apps

Outdated apps can also cause screen flickering. Make sure all apps are updated to the latest version. If flickering only happens in a specific app, then that app may be the issue.

4. Check Your Charging Cable

A damaged charging cable can lead to screen flickering. Inspect your cable for wear and tear. Also, try charging from a different power outlet or plug your phone directly into a wall socket instead of a computer.

5. Turn Off Auto-Brightness (iPhone) or Adaptive Brightness (Android)

Auto-brightness adjusts your screen based on the surrounding light, which can sometimes cause flickering. Turn off this feature under Display settings on Android or in Accessibility > Display & Text Size on iPhone.

6. Disable Blue Light Filters

Blue light filters (like Night Shift on iPhone) can sometimes cause flickering. Go to Display Settings on Android to turn this feature off.

7. Use Developer Mode on Android

If you’re using Android, enable Developer Mode and turn on “Disable HW overlays” under System > Developer options. This can help reduce flickering by lowering the load on your phone’s processor.

8. Run in Safe Mode

Try Safe Mode on your Android phone. Safe Mode disables third-party apps, which can help identify if an app is causing the flickering. If flickering continues in Safe Mode, there may be physical damage.

9. Get Professional Help

If none of the tips mentioned above help, having a technician inspect your phone is best. Android users can check with their phone’s manufacturer, store, or carrier for repair options. It is wise to select a reputed phone repair store to ensure you get quality service. 

Causes of Phone Screen Flickering

A flickering phone screen has many potential causes, including software issues and hardware problems.

Software Issues

Screen flickering from software issues often happens when an app needs higher picture quality than your phone’s graphics processor can handle. The graphics processor (GPU) in your phone is responsible for displaying images on the screen. 

However, some apps or videos may need a sharper or higher-quality image than the GPU can manage. When this happens, the phone’s main processor (CPU) steps in to help display the content. Flickering starts when the phone keeps switching between the GPU and CPU to handle the image.

Hardware Issues

Screen flickering from hardware issues is usually caused by problems with the screen’s LCD panel. A loose connection in the LCD or a faulty screen connector might cause flickering on your phone’s display.

To Sum Up

Screen flickering on Android phones can often be fixed with simple steps. First, try restarting your phone. It can resolve small issues quickly. If that doesn’t help, check for any software updates, as outdated systems may cause glitches. Also, update all apps, especially if flickering happens only in one app. Adjust your display settings by turning off Adaptive Brightness, as it can cause flickering in some lighting. Inspect your charging cable for any damage that might be affecting power flow.