Symptoms
- Rolling dark or bright bands moving through video
- Only happens under LED, fluorescent, or certain artificial lights
- Doesn't happen in daylight or with incandescent bulbs
- Photos may look fine but video shows the flicker
Likely causes
- CommonMismatch between camera frame rate and the light's flicker frequencyLED and fluorescent lights flicker faster than the eye notices, but a camera's frame rate can beat against it and create visible bands.
- CommonAnti-flicker setting not matched to your region's electrical frequencyCamera anti-flicker settings are usually set to 50Hz or 60Hz depending on your country's power grid.
- PossibleCheap or dimmable LED lighting with irregular flickerSome LED bulbs, especially dimmable ones, flicker unevenly and are harder for any camera to fully correct.
What to do
- Check camera settings for an anti-flicker option and set it to match your region (typically 60Hz in the US).
- Try recording at a different frame rate, like 30fps instead of 60fps, to see if flicker reduces.
- Move to natural light or a non-flickering light source if possible.
- Avoid dimmable LED bulbs for video-heavy use, since they flicker more.
- Update the camera app and operating system.
When to call a pro
A repair shop isn't relevant here; this is a settings and lighting compatibility issue, not a hardware fault.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.