Laptop screen flickering can be an annoying and distracting issue, especially when it only happens in specific situations—like when your laptop is running on battery power. If you’ve noticed that your screen flickers when unplugged but works perfectly fine when connected to AC power, you’re not alone. This problem is often tied to specific settings in your graphics drivers, particularly with Intel HD Graphics, which is common in many laptops.
Why Does the Screen Flicker on Battery?
The flickering you’re experiencing is likely due to a power-saving feature built into Intel HD Graphics drivers. When your laptop switches to battery mode, the system tries to conserve energy by adjusting various components, including the display. One such adjustment is the Display Power Saving Technology (DPST), which reduces screen brightness and, in some cases, lowers the screen refresh rate frequency. While this helps extend battery life, it can cause the screen to flicker or exhibit inconsistent performance, especially if the refresh rate drops too low or conflicts with your display panel.
Quick Solution: Disable Display Power Saving Technology
The most effective way to stop the flickering is to disable the power-saving feature in your Intel HD Graphics settings. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
Step 1: Access Intel HD Graphics Settings
Right-click on your desktop and select Graphics Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, look for the Intel HD Graphics icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen) and click it to open the control panel. If neither option is available, search for “Intel Graphics” in the Start menu and launch the app from there.
Step 2: Navigate to Power Settings
Once the Intel HD Graphics Control Panel opens, locate and click on the Power option. This section controls how your graphics behave under different power conditions.
Step 3: Select “On Battery” Mode
In the Power menu, you’ll see two tabs or options: Plugged In and On Battery. Select On Battery to adjust settings specific to when your laptop is running on its battery.
Step 4: Disable Display Power Saving Technology
Look for a setting called Display Power Saving Technology (sometimes abbreviated as DPST). It might be under a sub-menu like “Power Features” or “Display Settings.” Click on ✓ Disable to disable this feature. Click Apply to save your changes.
Step 5: Test Your Screen
Disconnect your laptop from the AC power and observe the screen. The flickering should stop now that the power-saving feature is turned off. If it persists, restart your laptop to ensure the changes take effect.
By disabling DPST, your screen will maintain a consistent brightness and refresh rate, eliminating the flicker caused by aggressive power-saving adjustments.
Additional Tips to Prevent Screen Flickering
While the above solution targets the primary cause, there are a few extra steps you can take to ensure your laptop screen remains stable and performs at its best:
1. Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or buggy drivers can sometimes contribute to display issues. To update your Intel HD Graphics drivers you can visit the Intel Driver & Support Assistant website or your laptop manufacturer’s support page. Then you can download and install the latest driver version compatible with your system. Do not forget to restart your laptop after the update to apply the necessary changes.
2. Clean Dust from Your Laptop
Dust buildup inside your laptop can cause overheating, which might indirectly affect components like the display. Sometimes dust bunnies can block the flow of air in the cooling fan too. Use compressed air to clean the vents and fans, or take it to a professional if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.
3. Switch to a High-Performance Power Plan
Windows power plans can also influence how your laptop manages resources. To switch to a high-performance mode:
- Open Control Panel → Power Options.
- Select High Performance Plan (or create a custom plan with everything at Max).
This ensures your system prioritizes performance over power saving, which might help stabilize the screen.
4. Check Your Refresh Rate
If the flickering persists, manually set your screen’s refresh rate:
- Right-click the desktop and choose Display Settings.
- Scroll to Advanced Display Settings → Display Adapter Properties.
- Under the Monitor tab, set the refresh rate to 60Hz (or the highest supported value).
Final Thoughts
If your laptop screen flickers only when running on battery, the culprit is likely Intel’s Display Power Saving Technology trying to optimize power usage. Disabling this feature through the Intel HD Graphics settings is a quick and effective fix that doesn’t require advanced troubleshooting. Combine this with updated drivers, a clean laptop, and a performance-oriented power plan, and you’ll likely say goodbye to flickering for good.