Why is my screen flickering or shaking?

Screen flickering or shaking can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from a software glitch to more serious hardware issues. Below are some of the common causes of screen flickering or shaking and how to troubleshoot them.

Software Glitch:

The most common cause of screen flickering or shaking is a software glitch. This usually manifests as a flicker or shake of the display that cannot be explained by any other physical cause. Depending on your computer and its configuration, it could be caused by an outdated driver or display driver conflict. To determine if a software glitch is causing the issue, try performing a clean boot and check if the issue persists. If not, then it is likely caused by a software issue.

Hardware Malfunction:

Another common cause of screen flickering or shaking is a hardware malfunction. This could be due to a damaged monitor, graphics card, or a loose connection between the two. In this case, you should first check the power and data cables connecting the monitor and graphics card. If everything is connected properly, then you should remove the graphics card and check if the problem persists. If not, then you should replace the graphics card.

Overheating:

Overheating is another potential cause of screen flickering or shaking. As components in your computer are used, they generate heat which can eventually cause them to malfunction or shut down if not properly managed. If your monitor or graphics card is overheating, you may experience screen flicker or shake as a result. To prevent this, you should ensure that your computer is properly ventilated and that all fans are running properly. You may also need to clean out the dust inside the system in order to prevent the build-up of heat.

Incorrect Refresh Rate:

The refresh rate of your monitor is the number of times per second that it updates the display. If it is set too high, your screen may begin to flicker or shake. To fix this issue, you should reduce the refresh rate to the recommended setting for your monitor.

Power Fluctuations:

Power fluctuations can also cause your screen to flicker or shake. This is because the input voltage to your monitor changes from moment to moment, which can result in unstable display performance. To prevent this, you should use a surge protector or UPS to protect your computer from power fluctuations.

These are just some of the potential causes of screen flickering or shaking. If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, then you may need to take your computer to a repair shop and have it serviced.