Is Your Phone Display Flickering? We’ve Got the 7 Best Fixes to Try Now

A flickering or glitching smartphone display can be incredibly frustrating, interrupting your workflow and making it difficult to use your device. Whether it’s a sudden erratic behavior or a persistent instability, this issue can stem from various sources, ranging from software glitches to more serious hardware problems. At MakeUseOf, we understand how vital your smartphone is to your daily life, and we’re here to guide you through a comprehensive set of solutions to tackle this annoying display issue. We have meticulously researched and analyzed the top-ranking content on this topic to bring you the most effective and detailed fixes. Prepare to dive deep into the actionable steps that will help you restore your phone’s display to its pristine condition.

Understanding the Common Causes of a Flickering Phone Screen

Before we delve into the solutions, it’s beneficial to understand the potential reasons behind a flickering display. This knowledge can help you identify the most likely culprit for your specific situation. While some causes are easily rectifiable software issues, others might point towards hardware malfunctions.

Software-Related Glitches

The most common triggers for a flickering screen often lie within the software. This can include:

• Outdated Operating System or Apps: An outdated OS or specific applications might have bugs that interfere with display rendering. These bugs can cause the screen to flicker, freeze, or exhibit other erratic behaviors. Developers frequently release updates to patch these vulnerabilities and improve performance.
• Corrupted Cache Files: Over time, your phone’s system and application caches can accumulate corrupted data. This corrupted data can sometimes lead to conflicts that manifest as screen flickering.
• Background App Activity: Certain apps running in the background, especially those that heavily utilize graphical resources or have persistent notifications, can sometimes cause display anomalies.
• Display Settings: Incorrectly configured display settings, such as adaptive brightness or specific color filters, can occasionally lead to unintended flickering effects, particularly when transitioning between different lighting conditions.
• Recent Software Updates: Ironically, a newly installed software update, while intended to improve the device, can sometimes introduce new bugs or incompatibilities that result in a flickering screen. This is particularly true if the update wasn’t thoroughly tested or if it conflicts with existing system configurations.

Hardware-Related Issues

While less common than software problems, hardware issues can also be the root cause of a flickering display:

• Loose Display Cable: Internally, the display is connected to the phone’s motherboard via a flexible cable. If this cable becomes loose or is damaged, it can disrupt the signal to the screen, leading to flickering or complete screen failure. This is more common after a drop or impact.
• Damaged Display Panel: Physical damage to the screen itself, even if not immediately apparent as a crack, can affect its internal components and cause flickering. This could be due to pressure, bending, or impact.
• Battery Issues: In some cases, a faulty or aging battery might not be able to provide a stable power supply to the display, leading to intermittent flickering. This is more likely in older devices or those with heavily degraded batteries.
• Overheating: When a phone overheats, its components, including the display, might not function correctly. Prolonged periods of heavy usage or environmental factors can contribute to overheating, which can then manifest as display issues like flickering.
• Defective Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): The GPU is responsible for rendering graphics on your phone. A malfunctioning GPU can lead to various display anomalies, including flickering and graphical glitches. This is a more serious hardware defect.

Now that we have a foundational understanding of the potential causes, let’s move on to the most effective solutions you can implement to resolve your flickering phone display.

The 7 Essential Fixes for a Flickering Phone Display

We’ve compiled a list of the most effective solutions to address your flickering phone screen. We will guide you through each step with detailed instructions.

Fix 1: Restart Your Smartphone

It might sound overly simplistic, but a simple restart is often the most effective first step in resolving many minor software glitches. This process refreshes your phone’s operating system, closes any rogue applications that might be causing interference, and clears temporary data that could be leading to the display issue.

How to Perform a Restart:

1. Press and hold the power button on your smartphone. The location of this button varies by device, but it’s typically on the side or top edge.
2. A menu will appear on your screen. Select the “Restart” or “Reboot” option. If you don’t see a direct restart option, choose “Power off” or “Shut down,” wait for the device to completely turn off, and then press and hold the power button again to turn it back on.
3. Allow your phone to completely power down and then power back up. This process usually takes about 30 seconds to a minute.
4. Once your phone has fully booted up, observe your screen to see if the flickering has stopped.

This basic troubleshooting step can resolve temporary software conflicts that may be causing the display to behave erratically. If the flickering persists after a restart, it’s time to move on to more in-depth solutions.

Fix 2: Update Your Phone’s Software and Apps

Outdated software is a frequent culprit behind various smartphone issues, including display anomalies. Manufacturers regularly release software updates that include bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches. Similarly, app developers also push updates to address issues within their applications.

Updating Your Operating System (OS):

1. Ensure your phone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and has sufficient battery charge (or is plugged in).
2. Navigate to your phone’s Settings app.
3. Scroll down and find the “System” or “About Phone” section.
4. Look for an option like “Software Update,” “System Update,” or “About Device” followed by “Software Update.”
5. Your phone will check for available updates. If an update is found, tap “Download and Install.”
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Your phone will likely restart during this process.

Updating Your Applications:

1. Open the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS).
2. Tap on your profile icon or the menu button.
3. Select “My apps & games” or “Updates.”
4. You will see a list of apps with available updates. You can tap “Update all” or update individual apps by tapping the “Update” button next to each app.
5. Ensure that apps known to interact heavily with the display or system are updated, as these are more likely to cause conflicts if they are outdated.

By keeping your OS and applications up-to-date, you ensure that you are running the latest, most stable versions, which can resolve many underlying software bugs that might be causing your screen to flicker.

Fix 3: Clear App Cache and Data

Corrupted cache files for specific apps or even system-wide can lead to unexpected behavior, including display issues. Clearing these caches can often resolve conflicts without losing personal data.

Clearing App Cache (Android):

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “Apps” or “Applications Manager.”
3. Find and tap on the app that you suspect might be causing the issue, or if you’re unsure, you can systematically clear caches for recently used apps.
4. Tap on “Storage.”
5. You will see two options: “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data.”
6. First, tap “Clear Cache.” This removes temporary files associated with the app.
7. Restart your phone and check if the flickering has stopped.
8. If the issue persists, you may consider “Clear Data.” Be aware that this will reset the app to its default state, and you will lose any saved preferences or login information within that app.

Clearing System Cache Partition (Android - More Advanced):

This is a more comprehensive step that clears temporary system files. The exact method to access the recovery mode varies by device manufacturer. Generally, it involves:

1. Power off your phone.
2. Press and hold a specific combination of buttons to enter recovery mode. This is often the Power button + Volume Up button or Power button + Volume Down button. Consult your device’s manual or search online for the specific key combination for your model.
3. Once in recovery mode, use the volume buttons to navigate through the options and the power button to select.
4. Navigate to “Wipe cache partition.”
5. Select “Yes” to confirm.
6. After the cache is wiped, select “Reboot system now.”

Clearing cached data helps to resolve issues caused by corrupted temporary files that might be interfering with your phone’s display.

Fix 4: Check and Adjust Display Settings

Certain display settings, particularly those related to brightness, adaptive brightness, or screen timeout, can sometimes interact in unexpected ways and cause flickering. Similarly, features like Night Shift or Blue Light Filter might, in rare cases, contribute to display anomalies if they are not functioning correctly.

Adjusting Adaptive Brightness:

Adaptive brightness automatically adjusts your screen’s brightness based on ambient light. While usually helpful, it can sometimes cause rapid fluctuations that appear as flickering.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “Display.”
3. Find the “Adaptive brightness” or “Auto-brightness” option.
4. Toggle it off.
5. Manually set your desired brightness level.
6. Observe if the flickering has ceased. If it has, the adaptive brightness feature might have been the cause.

Disabling Screen Savers or Live Wallpapers:

Some animated screen savers or live wallpapers can be resource-intensive and, in rare cases, cause display glitches.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “Display.”
3. Look for options like “Screen timeout,” “Screen saver,” or “Wallpaper.”
4. If you are using a live wallpaper, switch to a static image.
5. If you have a screen saver enabled, consider disabling it temporarily.

Reviewing Accessibility Settings:

Accessibility features, while incredibly useful, can sometimes have unintended side effects on display behavior if misconfigured.

1. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility.
2. Review settings related to “Display,” “Color & Motion,” or “Color Correction.”
3. Temporarily disable any recently enabled or modified accessibility features to see if they are the cause of the flickering.

By fine-tuning your display settings, you can eliminate potential software-induced flicker and ensure your screen is behaving as it should.

Fix 5: Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode that loads your phone’s operating system with only essential system apps and services. This is an excellent way to determine if a third-party application is the culprit behind your flickering screen. If the flickering stops when your phone is in Safe Mode, it strongly suggests that a downloaded app is causing the problem.

How to Enter Safe Mode (Android):

The method to enter Safe Mode can vary slightly depending on your Android device manufacturer, but here’s a common approach:

1. Press and hold the power button until the power options menu appears.
2. Press and hold the “Power off” or “Restart” option on the screen.
3. A prompt asking to “Reboot to safe mode” will appear.
4. Tap “OK” or “Reboot.”

Your phone will restart, and you will see a “Safe mode” indicator, usually in a corner of the screen.

Testing in Safe Mode:

• Once in Safe Mode, use your phone normally and observe the display.
• If the flickering has stopped, the issue is almost certainly caused by a third-party app you’ve installed.
• To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your phone as you normally would.

Identifying the Problematic App:

If Safe Mode resolves the flickering, you’ll need to identify the app responsible.

1. Restart your phone to exit Safe Mode.
2. Begin uninstalling recently installed apps, one by one, starting with the most recent or those that you suspect might be causing issues.
3. After uninstalling an app, restart your phone and check if the flickering has stopped.
4. Repeat this process until you find the app that, when uninstalled, resolves the flickering problem.

This systematic approach to identifying and removing problematic third-party apps is crucial for permanently fixing screen flickering caused by software conflicts.

Fix 6: Factory Reset Your Smartphone

A factory reset is a more drastic step that effectively erases all data on your smartphone and restores it to its original, out-of-the-box state. This is a powerful solution for persistent software issues that haven’t been resolved by previous steps, as it removes all installed applications, settings, and system files that might be corrupted.

Crucial Precaution: Back Up Your Data!

Before proceeding with a factory reset, it is absolutely imperative to back up all your important data. This includes:

• Photos and videos
• Contacts
• Messages (SMS and MMS)
• App data
• Documents and files

You can typically back up your data through your Google account (Android) or iCloud (iOS), or by connecting your phone to a computer and manually transferring files.

How to Perform a Factory Reset (Android):

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “System.”
3. Select “Reset options.”
4. Choose “Erase all data (factory reset).”
5. You may need to enter your phone’s PIN, pattern, or password.
6. Read the warning message carefully, which will detail what data will be erased.
7. Tap “Erase all data” or “Delete all.”

How to Perform a Factory Reset (iOS):

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “General.”
3. Scroll down and select “Transfer or Reset iPhone.”
4. Tap on “Erase All Content and Settings.”
5. Enter your Apple ID password or passcode if prompted.
6. Confirm that you want to erase all content and settings.

After the factory reset is complete, your phone will restart. You will then go through the initial setup process, similar to when you first got your phone. During setup, you can choose to restore your data from a recent backup. Once you have set up your phone, monitor the display to see if the flickering has been resolved.

A factory reset is a last resort for software issues, but it is highly effective in eliminating deep-seated software conflicts that could be causing your screen to flicker.

Fix 7: Contact Manufacturer Support or Seek Professional Repair

If you have tried all the software-related fixes and your phone’s display continues to flicker, it is highly probable that the issue is hardware-related. This could be a loose internal cable, a damaged display panel, a faulty battery, or a problem with the phone’s internal components.

When to Contact Support:

• If your phone is still under warranty: Contacting the manufacturer or the place of purchase is your best course of action. They can guide you through their specific warranty claim process and arrange for a repair or replacement.
• If the phone has experienced physical damage: Even if it’s out of warranty, if the damage is recent, there might be repair options available.
• If none of the software fixes worked: This indicates a strong likelihood of a hardware defect.

What to Expect When Contacting Support:

• You will likely be asked to describe the problem in detail and the troubleshooting steps you have already taken.
• They may guide you through additional diagnostics.
• Depending on the warranty status and the nature of the issue, they will offer repair or replacement options.

Seeking Professional Repair:

• If your phone is out of warranty and you prefer not to go through the manufacturer, you can seek assistance from a reputable third-party repair shop.
• Ensure the repair shop has experience with your specific phone model and uses quality replacement parts.
• Always inquire about the warranty on the repair service itself.

Ignoring a persistent hardware issue can sometimes lead to further damage to your device. Therefore, seeking professional assistance is the most reliable way to get your phone’s display functioning correctly again if software solutions have failed.

Preventing Future Display Flickering Issues

While we’ve covered the solutions, it’s also wise to adopt practices that can help prevent future display flickering or similar issues:

• Keep your software updated: As discussed, this is crucial.
• Be mindful of app installations: Only download apps from trusted sources. Read reviews and be cautious about apps that request excessive permissions.
• Avoid physical damage: Use a protective case and screen protector to guard against drops and impacts.
• Manage battery health: Avoid extreme temperatures and prolonged periods of excessive heat or cold, which can degrade battery performance.
• Don’t overcharge: While modern phones have safeguards, consistently leaving your phone plugged in overnight can still contribute to long-term battery degradation.
• Be cautious with custom ROMs or rooting: While these can offer customization, they can also introduce instability and compatibility issues if not done correctly.

By following these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering display problems like flickering in the future, ensuring a smoother and more reliable smartphone experience. We are confident that by systematically working through these seven fixes, you will be able to resolve your flickering phone display issue and get your device back to its optimal performance.