Symptoms
- Flicker is noticeable only below a certain brightness level
- Raising brightness makes the flicker disappear
- More noticeable when looking slightly to the side or in peripheral vision
- Eyes feel tired or strained during long sessions at low brightness
Likely causes
- CommonPWM backlight dimming methodMany monitors dim by rapidly flicking the backlight on and off rather than truly reducing its power, which some people perceive as flicker or eye strain.
- PossibleLow refresh rate combined with low brightnessSome panels show more visible flicker at certain refresh rate and brightness combinations.
- PossibleCamera or phone recording showing flicker not visible to the naked eyePWM flicker is often invisible directly but shows up clearly on video recordings, which can be misleading.
What to do
- Raise the brightness above the level where flicker is noticeable, and compensate for the extra brightness by reducing screen glare or ambient light instead.
- Check the monitor's specifications or manufacturer site for a 'Flicker-Free' certification, which indicates non-PWM dimming across the full brightness range.
- If your monitor has a 'Low Blue Light' or similar mode, some of these modes use a different dimming method that can reduce flicker at low brightness.
- Try recording the screen with a phone camera at different brightness levels; visible banding in the recording confirms PWM but doesn't necessarily mean it's harmful to view directly.
- If sensitive to PWM flicker, consider keeping brightness above the threshold where it appears, or look into a monitor advertised as fully flicker-free for future purchases.
Tools and parts
- None
When to call a pro
This is a design characteristic of the monitor's backlight rather than a fault to repair; if it causes real eye strain, a flicker-free monitor model is the long-term fix rather than a repair.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.