Experiencing screen flickering on your Galaxy phone? Here's what Samsung says you should do

If you’ve noticed your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet screen flickering or flashing intermittently, you’re not alone. Screen flickering can be an annoying and concerning issue, but the good news is that it’s often caused by a software glitch rather than a hardware problem. For reference, here’s a user-shared video of a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s screen flickering:

In this article, we’ll explore Samsung’s official recommendations for troubleshooting and resolving screen flickering issues on your Galaxy device.

According to Samsung, screen flickering on Galaxy phones and tablets is usually caused by a software issue, which can arise from glitches in apps or software bugs. To help address the problem, Samsung recommends ensuring your device is running the latest operating system version and has the latest security updates installed.

Before diving into software troubleshooting, Samsung advises checking your device for any physical damage that could be causing the screen flickering. If the screen is cracked or smashed, this could be the root cause of the issue. In such cases, you may need to visit a Samsung support center or schedule a repair to have your screen fixed.

Safe mode is a diagnostic tool that can help pinpoint whether a third-party app is causing the screen flickering issue. Safe mode runs your device using only the core, pre-installed applications, effectively disabling all third-party apps. Here’s how to enable Safe mode on your Samsung Galaxy device:

1. Press and hold the power button or button combination you use to turn off your device until the power off screen appears.
2. Tap and hold the “Power off” icon until the option for “Safe mode” appears.
3. Tap “Safe mode” to restart your device in Safe mode.

If the screen flickering stops when your device is in Safe mode, it could indicate that a third-party app you’ve installed is causing the problem. In this case, you’ll need to identify the culprit app and uninstall it. Start by uninstalling the most recently installed app before the flickering started, and repeat the process until the issue is resolved. You can always reinstall an app if it wasn’t the cause of the problem.

If the flickering persists even in Safe mode, it’s likely the issue is hardware-related rather than software-related. In this scenario, Samsung recommends contacting your nearest Samsung Support Center to book an appointment for further assistance.

Another potential solution Samsung suggests is adjusting your brightness settings and disabling the adaptive brightness feature. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app on your Galaxy device.
2. Tap “Display.”
3. Tap the switch to disable “Adaptive Brightness.”
4. If you notice that the flickering occurs when the screen is at a low brightness, slide the brightness bar to the right to increase the brightness level.

If the above steps don’t resolve the screen flickering issue, Samsung recommends performing a factory reset on your Galaxy device. However, keep in mind that this will erase all data, settings, and installed apps on your device, so be sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
To reset your Samsung Galaxy device, follow these steps:

1. Tap on “Settings.”
2. Tap on “General management.”
3. Tap on “Reset.”
4. Select the “Factory data reset” option, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Note that a screen lock may appear when you select a reset option. Enter your device’s unlock code or pattern to proceed with the reset process. Your device will restart once the reset is complete. You can also watch Samsung’s official video for the steps:

In addition to Samsung’s official recommendations, I found posts from users on platforms like Reddit and the Samsung Community where they have shared various workarounds that have helped resolve screen flickering issues on their Galaxy devices. Here are some popular user-suggested solutions:

Many users have reported success in resolving screen flickering by clearing the cache and data for specific apps or system processes. This can be done by going to Settings > Apps > (select the app or process) > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data.

Some users have found that adjusting certain settings in the Developer Options menu can help mitigate screen flickering. To access Developer Options, go to Settings > About Phone/Tablet and tap the “Build Number” seven times. Then, go to Settings > Developer Options and try toggling settings like “Force GPU Rendering” or “Window Animation Scale.” You can also try disabling Hardware Overlays (if enabled).

Some Galaxy models offer the option to change the screen refresh rate. Try switching between different refresh rates (if available) to see if it resolves the flickering. To do this, open the Settings app, navigate to “Display,” and look for a setting labelled “Motion smoothness” or similar wording. There you should find options to choose between different refresh rates, typically 60Hz and 120Hz. Select your preferred refresh rate and confirm the change.

Screen flickering on Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets can be a frustrating issue, but it’s often possible to resolve through software troubleshooting or minor adjustments. By following Samsung’s official recommendations, such as checking for physical damage, trying Safe mode, disabling adaptive brightness, and resetting your device, you may be able to eliminate the flickering issue.

If these steps don’t work, consider exploring user-suggested workarounds like clearing app caches, adjusting developer options, or using third-party apps (with caution). And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance from a Samsung support center, as the issue may require hardware repair or replacement.

Remember, keeping your device updated with the latest software and security patches can also help prevent and mitigate potential software-related issues like screen flickering. With patience and persistence, you can hopefully resolve this annoying problem and enjoy a smooth, flicker-free experience on your Samsung Galaxy device.