01
Confirm flickering only occurs at max refresh rate
Open **Settings > System > Display > Advanced display** and lower the refresh rate to 60 Hz. If the flickering stops, the issue is bandwidth-related at the higher rate.
Flickering at high refresh rates means the **DisplayPort link** cannot sustain the required bandwidth. Use a **certified DP 1.4 or 2.1 cable**, update the GPU driver, and test with adaptive sync disabled.
Requirements
- Admin rights
- A VESA-certified DisplayPort 1.4 or 2.1 cable
- Latest GPU driver installer
Instructions
02
Replace the DisplayPort cable
Most flickering at 144 Hz+ is caused by a cable that cannot sustain the required bandwidth. Use a **VESA-certified DP 1.4 cable** for up to 4K 120 Hz, or a **DP 2.1 cable** for 4K 144 Hz and above.
⚠ warningCheap or old DP cables often claim 8K support but fail at sustained high bandwidth. Look for the VESA certification logo on the packaging.
03
Update the GPU driver with a clean install
Download the latest driver from **NVIDIA** (https://www.nvidia.com/drivers) or **AMD** (https://www.amd.com/en/support). During installation, choose **Custom > Clean install** to remove stale display profiles.
04
Disable G-Sync or FreeSync temporarily
Open the **NVIDIA Control Panel** or **AMD Adrenalin** software and disable adaptive sync. If the flickering stops, the issue is a handshake conflict between the monitor's VRR implementation and the GPU driver.
tipCheck your monitor manufacturer's website for a firmware update — many VRR flicker issues are fixed in monitor firmware.
05
Verify at the target refresh rate
Set the refresh rate back to your target value in **Advanced display** settings. Run a full-screen game or a test pattern for 15 minutes. The image should remain stable with no flicker or blackouts.
Common issues
Monitor goes completely black instead of flickering
The cable bandwidth is insufficient for the resolution and refresh rate combination. Lower the resolution or refresh rate, or use a certified DP 2.1 cable.
Flickering only happens in specific games
The game's frame rate is fluctuating around the monitor's VRR range boundary. Enable G-Sync/FreeSync and cap the in-game frame rate 3 FPS below the monitor's max refresh rate.
Frequently asked
Does the DisplayPort version on my GPU matter?
Yes. Check your GPU specs — older cards may only have DP 1.2 outputs, which cannot drive 4K at 144 Hz regardless of the cable.
Can a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter cause flickering?
Yes. Active adapters introduce signal conversion that can fail at high bandwidth. Use a native DP-to-DP connection whenever possible.
How to undo this
Re-enable G-Sync or FreeSync in the GPU control panel. Restore the original refresh rate in **Settings > System > Display > Advanced display**. Reinstall the previous GPU driver if the new one caused other issues.
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