Windows 10 Taskbar Flickering or Flashing - Here's The Simple Methods

If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 screen is constantly flickering, it could be because you installed a problematic application or have an inappropriate display driver. It’s time you fixed that annoying screen flash. The problem often starts when upgrading to Windows 10/11 from a previous version of the operating system, but it can occur at any time. We are going to show you different methods to fix Windows 10 or Windows 11 flashing screens.

What Causes Flickering Screen on Windows 10?

When the screen flashes, the first thing to do is check the cables. Check the connection of the monitor’s power cable and the cable connecting the monitor to the system unit. If the cables are connected well, the Windows 10 screen flickering problem is probably caused by a display driver problem or incompatible applications. Checking if Task Manager flickers helps you identify what the problem is.

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc or right-clicking on your taskbar to select Task Manager, then check if Task Manager flickers. If the task manager flickers along with everything else on the screen, the display driver is where the problem lies. If the task manager doesn’t flicker while the others do, the application is the problem. Additionally, inappropriate refresh rate settings can also cause screen flickering in your Windows 10. If the refresh rate is set too low, it will result in a flickering screen.

How To Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Flickering & Flashing Issue:

Erase UI Modifying Apps
Run PC Scan
View Display Drivers
Update Windows 10
Execute Disk Image Check
Run Antivirus Scan

1. Erase UI Modifying Apps:

Windows 10 allows users to change its UI by installing third-party applications, and they may cause icons on the taskbar to flicker or flash.

Go to the control panel.
Go to Program > Uninstall a program.
Then move through the list of installed apps.
Choose an app that changes the UI or taskbar.
Press the Uninstall button.
Repeat for all applications that modify the UI.
Restart your PC.

2. Run PC Scan:

Try running a system scan for damaged or corrupted files. However, the scan can solve some problems.

Go to the command prompt with administrator rights.
Now run this command: SFC /scannow
You can allow the command to check and complete if the flashing or blinking stops.

3. View Display Drivers:

Flashing or flickering may be related to your display driver. If it is not updated, it will cause problems.

Go to Device Manager.
Then expand Display Adapters.
Right-tap your display and select Properties.
Move to the Driver tab.
Check when the driver was last updated.
If it has been updated recently, press the rollback button to go back to the old variant and check if the problem is gone.
When a driver is out of date, press the Update Driver button, then try to install any available updates.
Reset your PC and check if the problem is fixed.

4. Update Windows 10:

This is a bug in Windows 10 1709. This variant of Windows is old so it is better to update to the latest variant. The update will fix the problem.

Go to the Settings app (Win+I keyboard shortcut).
Move to Update & Security.
Select the Windows Update tab.
Tap Check for Updates.
Install currently available feature updates.

5. Execute Disk Image Check:

There may be a problem with Windows’ own system files that is causing the flickering or flashing problem. However, the DISM tool can easily scan the system files for such errors and fix them.

Go to command prompt with administrator rights.
Run this command: DISM.exe /online /cleanup-image /check health
When the command is finished, run this command next: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Allow both commands to restart and complete your PC.

6. Run Antivirus Scan:

Some malicious software like worms, bugs, bots, adware etc. can also contribute to this problem. However, Windows Defender Antivirus scan can help you to overcome malicious software and protect against any intruding viruses by scanning the system regularly. So, run an antivirus scan on your PC to fix Windows 10 screen flickering problem. To do so follow the steps mentioned below.

Press Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
Here, click on Update & Security as shown.
Click on Scan Options as shown.
Select the scan option (eg Quick Scan) and click on Scan Now as shown
Wait for the scan to complete.
Click on Enable actions to fix detctand ed threats Or, close the window if no action-requiring message is displayed.

8. Basic Troubleshooting:

If you are looking for troubleshooting steps to fix Windows 10 taskbar flickering issue, try the solutions listed below.

1. Restart your PC.

2. Taskbar may flicker due to unread notifications so check for pending alerts.

9. Revert to an Older Driver: