Screen blinking issue

Trobleshooting: Problem of Screen blinking when AC adapter is plugged or unplugged

I found people searching, asking, finding, discussing on the above problem all over internet.

I had the same problem with a laptop. And found the root cause as well as solution.

You must be computer literate and aware of Control Panel, Power option, icon, taskbar. If you are not ask someone for manual help and then follow the steps given below.

Following are the details and solution: (Have patience)

Exact problem: Laptop screen goes blank for 2 seconds when AC adapter/ charging adapter is plugged in or out.

Mostly this problem is found in new laptops.

Problem type: Software issue (not a hardware problem)

Yes it is software issue and precisely it is a feature or ‘setting’ by which a laptop switches performance from low to high and vice versa. It is normal and happens with most of the new Laptops with Win 7 or Win8.

Anyway you can get rid of it.

Cause: Auto changing or switching between refresh rate i.e. 60Hz to 40/50Hz and vice versa.

First Check this to confirm you have the exact above mentioned issue:

1. Is your laptop working fine while plugging and unplugging adapter with external screen.(If yes, you are on right place).

Now you can remove the external monitor.

Note: (If No, you are wrong on place, its hardware issue contact the customer support)

2. Disable your current "Display driver".

(by right clicking "Computer" icon on desktop ,selecting properties and then selecting "Device manager" and then again a right click Display adapter you have.

If after disabling, plugging & unplugging adapter works fine, it confirms you exactly have the same issue.

3. Enable it again and follow the steps given below.

100% Solution to the problem:

Process 1 (Refresh rate):

1. If you have Intel HD Graphics, you can see a icon on Desktop. Open it. (You can also find the same in control panel in large icon mode)

Control panel view

2. You can see an option named "Display" click it, and if you can see "Refresh rate" as 60 Hz change it to 40 Hz.

Apply the changes.

Intel HD Graphic window (may be different in your case)

3. Go to Power option in the same menu from where you have selected "Display" option.

4. You are able to see two type of power sources "Plugged in" & "Battery". Now make sure the laptop does not switches the Refresh rate on plugged in position.

Sometimes laptop switches the refresh rate automatically when charger is plugged in. In my case the option is not there "Automatically switch refresh rate". You have to disable it. Save the changes.

You may have different HD Graphic software so you may have to find the options yourself.

Note: I just want you to set the refresh rate same for both "plugged in" and "battery" mode.

When the refresh rate changes/switches the screen blinks.

Now the problem must be sorted, if not follow few more steps:

Process 2: Max. Performance

1. Right click on the battery indicator on the task bar ( lower right corner of desktop).

2. Select Power saver or Balance Plan. Choose any. Click Plan settings.

3. Now there is an option of changing the setting to default for the plan. Restore it to default.

4.  And now you have to open "Intel HD graphic" window again and in power source set the both "plugged in" and "battery" to maximum performance.

Note: I just want you to increase the performance in both battery mode and charging mode.

And now follow the same steps mentioned "Process 1 (Refresh rate)" to ensure refresh rate is same.

Conclusion note: The issue occurs due to screen switching between refresh rate of 60Hz and 40Hz while plugging and unplugging adapter.

So either the problem is gone or you have not followed the steps correctly or you must be trying these steps on regular screen flickering or some other screen or hardware related problem.

If it worked, give a comment and please share the web link on internet with others.