- Screen flickering in Windows 11 is a sign of display issues, be they software or hardware-related.
- It’s a good idea to check your hardware components and their age.
- Software-wise, ensure graphics drivers are updated and that your screen refresh rate matches your monitor.
You might not be sure why it’s happening, but it’s happening: your Windows 11 screen keeps flickering and you want some answers, or better yet, some solutions. In this article, we’re going to be offering you just that and a few ways to troubleshoot a screen on the blink.
Windows 11 Screen Keeps Flickering – A Display Issue
If a screen is flickering, the issue always has something to do with the display, no matter what the operating system. It could be a problem with the monitor refresh rates, faulty cables, or other hardware issues. It could also be a matter of conflicting drivers, incorrect settings, or various software issues, too. It’s a broad problem, but we’ve got solutions handy.
Hardware Solutions
Here are some hardware fixes to try if your screen flickers in Windows.
Check Your Cables and Monitor
A screen, be it a laptop or PC, is connected to the motherboard via cables. If these aren’t connected properly or damaged, they can cause flickering. Your first step should be to check your cable connections. If your laptop screen flickers, checking your display connections will likely have to involve visiting a repair specialist.
Overheating
If your PC is overheating, especially during demanding tasks, and often as a result of blocked ventilation or a clogged fan, then all components begin to overheat and behave erratically. This includes the monitor. Switch off your machine and check your dust levels.
Aging Graphics Card
If you’ve had your PC for several years and Windows 11 has been installed only recently, you might find that the graphics card can’t keep up with the higher demands of the operating system, compared to its predecessor. In this case, you should consider getting a new one.
Dual Cards
Some gaming laptops come with a graphics card in addition to integrated graphics. The latter normally handles smaller tasks while the former kicks in for heavier ones. This switch can cause flickering, especially when a single app causes frequent performance spikes and dips. To solve this problem:
Step 1. Type “Graphics Settings” into the search bar.
Step 2. In the Settings, select the problematic app from the list. If it’s not there, click the “Browse” button and navigate to the app folder, and add the “.exe” file.
Step 3. Click “Options” under the app, then select your preferred graphics card for the app.
Step 4. Click “Save” once done.
Software Troubleshooting
Sometimes apps and operating systems might be to blame. Try the solutions below:
Refresh Rate
Your refresh rate should match that of your screen to prevent flickering. A lower refresh rate can also ensure more stability. Here’s how to fix the issue:
Step 1. Open Settings (Win + I) and navigate to “System” in the sidebar.
Step 2. Click “Display,” then navigate down to “Advanced Display.”
Step 3. Choose your display and check the refresh rate to see if it matches the other. A setting of 60Hz is always a good baseline.
Update Drivers
Outdated or incompatible drivers are a major cause of flickering. It’s a good idea to use your graphics card’s client software to check for updates, especially after any system update. You can also check for updates via Device Manager:
Step 1. Open “Run” (Win + R) and enter “devmgmt.exe” before pressing “OK.”
Step 2. Navigate to “Display Adapters,” and right-click your graphics card.
Step 3. Select “Update driver” and choose “Search automatically for new drivers.”
Step 4. If Windows finds any new drivers, you’ll be able to install them.
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Have you been told to take a screenshot using the Print Screen key on your Windows 10 computer? And now you are left wondering where the Print Screen button is? Even if you found the button and pressed it, nothing would have happened. So you are more confused now. Don’t worry. We are here to help. By the end of the post, you will be a champ in using the Print Screen button to take screenshots on Windows 10.
Questions like where is the Print Screen button, how to enable Print screen, and how to use the Print screen button are answered in this post. We have also covered how to take a screenshot in Windows 10 without the Print screen button.
Let’s get started on discovering the superpowers of the Print Screen button in Windows 10.
Where Is the Print Screen Button
The Print Screen button is usually present at the upper right side of your keyboard. You will see one of the text labels on the key:
- Prt sc
- PrtSc
- PrtScn
- PrntScrn
If something else is mentioned along with the print screen button, then you will have to trigger it with the function key (fn) on your keyboard. That is, hold the fn key and the Print screen buttons together to take a screenshot.
Tip : If your keyboard doesn’t have the Print Screen button , use the Function (fn) + Windows key + Spacebar to take a screenshot. In case the Print screen isn’t working , check out various ways to fix it.
How to Use Print Screen Button to Take Screenshot in Windows
There are several ways to take a screenshot using the Print screen button on Windows 10. Let’s check them out.
Method 1: Capture Entire Screen With Print Screen
This is the simplest method to take a screenshot on Windows 10. Pressing the Print Screen key on your keyboard copies the entire (active) screen to your clipboard . Even though a screenshot is technically captured, it’s not saved anywhere on your computer.
The screenshot resides in your computer’s clipboard for a temporary period till you copy something else. You need to paste the copied content (the screenshot) in a supported app such as MS Paint, Paint 3D, etc. Use Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut to paste the image. Once pasted, save the image using the app’s save button. It’s not necessary to paste the screenshot in photo-editing apps, you can even paste it in Microsoft Word or Google Docs .
Note: Use fn + Print screen combination if nothing is copied to the clipboard.
Typically, when you take a screenshot on your mobile phone, the screen will dim for a second, which indicates that a screenshot is taken. However, nothing will happen to the screen using this method. The screen won’t dim when you simply press the Print Screen button. So don’t get scared, just open any supported app and paste the copied screenshot.
Tip: If you use OneDrive, your captured screenshots will automatically be saved in your OneDrive folder. In case you are notified that screenshots are saved in OneDrive, find out how to turn off that notification and how to disable storing of screenshots in OneDrive .
Method 2: Capture and Save Entire Screen Using Print Screen
The above method doesn’t save the screenshot directly to your computer. To save screenshots on your PC without pasting them first, press the Windows key + Print screen button simultaneously. The screen will dim for a second, indicating that a screenshot has been taken. In this method, the entire screen is captured.
You will find the captured screenshots in the Pictures > Screenshots folder. If you don’t find that, follow this path C:\Users\username\Pictures\Screenshots.
Method 3: Capture Active Window With Print Screen
Instead of capturing the entire screen, this method will help you take a screenshot of an active window. Let’s say you want to take a screenshot of the minimized Word screen. You can do it by using the Alt + Print screen keyboard shortcut. Press both buttons simultaneously to take a screenshot of your active window.
Similar to method 1, the screenshot will not be saved directly. You will need to paste it into a supported app such as MS Paint and then save it.
Method 4: Assign the Snipping Tool to Print Screen Key
If the above methods do not meet your requirements, you can assign the Windows 10 Snipping tool to the Print screen key. When you do so, the Snipping tool will get activated when you press the Print screen key on your keyboard.
With the Snipping tool, you can take custom screenshots. You can choose the area whose screenshot you want to take, capture the selected window, and perform other advanced tricks. The screenshots will open in the Snipping Tool where you can annotate and draw on them. Finally, save the screenshot. Check out various tips and tricks related to the Windows 10 Snipping Tool .
To assign the Snipping tool to the Print screen key, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings on your Windows 10 PC from Start Menu. Alternatively, use Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open settings. Go to Ease of Access.
Step 2: From the left sidebar in Ease of access, scroll down and click on Keyboard. On the right side, you will find Keyboard settings. Scroll down and enable the toggle for Print Screen shortcut.
Bonus: How to Take Screenshot Without Print Screen on Windows 10
If you don’t want to remap the Print screen key to the Snipping tool or use Print screen to take a screenshot, you can still open the Snipping tool using the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut. Alternatively, open the Snipping tool from the Start Menu. You can also use the Snip and Sketch tool of Windows to take a screenshot without the Print screen button. Find out what’s the difference between the Snipping Tool and Snip and Sketch on Windows 10.
The Best Method
Methods 2 and 4 are convenient for taking and saving screenshots both. I mostly settle for Method 4 on my computer where I use the Snipping tool with the help of the Print screen button. It lets me take a screenshot with the ability to draw on them.
Next up: If for some reason, you are unable to take screenshots on your Windows 10 PC, check out 4 ways to fix it from the next link.
