9 Ways to Fix Surface or Surface Pro Laptop Screen Flickering Issues

A detailed guide to troubleshoot screen flickering on your Surface

Written by Stan Kats | Edited by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: January 28, 2026 Fact Checked

Is your Surface laptop's screen flickering? This is a frustrating issue to have, as it can be really annoying and even a strain on your eyes. In this article, we go over 9 ways you can fix your Surface's screen flickering. Read on to learn how.

Fixing Surface Screen Flickering

If your Surface laptop has a flickering screen, the most reliable way to fix it is to disable adaptive brightness in your computer's settings. You can also try reducing the brightness altogether, restarting the device, updating it, or performing a factory reset.

1

Disable Adaptive Brightness

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Adaptive brightness can cause screen flickering. Adaptive brightness is a setting that will adjust the brightness of your Surface depending on either the lighting around you or the contrast of what's being displayed on your screen. While these features can be helpful, they can also cause your Surface screen to flicker. To disable adaptive brightness, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to System > Display.
- Toggle off "Change brightness automatically when lighting changes" and "Change brightness based on content."^{[1]
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  - If your Surface is still running Windows 10, you may need to click on the battery icon in the taskbar and change the slider to Best performance to fully disable adaptive brightness.^{[2]
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2

Reduce Screen Brightness

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Lowering your Surface's brightness can minimize flicker. While it may not fix the screen flickering issue immediately, lowering the screen brightness can make the flickering less noticeable. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to System > Display.
- Reduce the brightness of your screen until the flickering stops or gets less noticeable.

3

Check for Overheating

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Check your Surface to make sure it's not too hot. Don't place your Surface on a poorly-ventilated surface (such as a pillow, carpet, or directly on your lap). A hard surface will allow the device to circulate air more efficiently, which can fix the screen flickering issue.^{[3]
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4

Restart the Device

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Turn your Surface off and back on again. While it seems simple, restarting your computer can fix a lot of problems, including a flickering screen. Try turning the device off, letting it sit for a minute, then restarting it. Make sure you're turning the computer off via the power menu, as pressing the power button or closing the lid won't fully shut the computer down.
- If you have a Surface Pro 7, you may need to fully shut the device down to fix screen flickering. To do this, shut down your computer from the power menu and let it sit for 48 hours (or longer) before turning it back on.
- Microsoft recommends allowing your Surface to be shut down for at least one full night per week to avoid screen flickering.^{[4]
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5

Check for Damage

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Look for any dents or cracks in the computer's casing, and make sure the screen hasn't been damaged either. If you notice damage, you'll have to contact Microsoft for service.

6

Update the Surface

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The screen flickering could be due to a bug or an outdated driver. The best way to fix this is to update your device. While you can update drivers manually, using Windows Update will ensure your operating system as well as your drivers are fully up to date. Here's how to update your Surface:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Update & security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates. If an update is available, click the button to install it.

7

Configure your Intel Settings

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Change your Intel graphics settings if you have an Intel processor. To check which type of processor you have in your computer, open the Surface app, then go to Device information > View More. Look at what it says next to "Processor." If you have an Intel processor, follow these steps:
- Open the Intel Graphics Command Center app, which is available in the Microsoft Store.
- Click System in the left-hand menu.
- Choose Power in the upper-right menu.
- Turn "Display Power Savings" off.
  - If you don't see any improvement, you can also turn off "Panel Self Refresh."
- Exit the Intel Graphics Command Center app.^{[5]
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  - Note: You may notice a more significant power drain on your laptop after changing these settings.

8

Factory Reset the Device

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Factory reset your Surface as a last resort. If nothing else has worked, you can try factory resetting your Surface to fix the screen flickering issue. Before you do the factory reset, make sure your Surface is backed up so you don't lose any data.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to System > Recovery.
- Click Reset this PC.
- Choose an option. It's best to choose Keep my files, though you can always choose Remove everything and restore your old files from your backup.
- Choose Cloud download. Make sure your Surface is connected to the internet to proceed.
- Allow your computer to reinstall Windows.^{[6]
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9

Contact Microsoft

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If nothing else works, you may need to repair your Surface. If none of the above methods worked, the flickering screen is likely due to a hardware issue. To fix the flickering, you'll need to send the device in for servicing.^{[7]
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- To start a service repair ticket, go to your Microsoft account's "Devices" page and choose the device that needs the service. You can then follow the on-screen instructions to schedule your service.
- If your Surface is still under warranty, the repair will most likely be free. However, if you're out of warranty, you'll have to pay out of pocket for the repair. Check Microsoft's site to see how much the repair will cost, as the price varies depending on your location and which model you have.