Update Graphics Drivers
The most common cause of screen flickering is an outdated or corrupted graphics driver. The Acer Nitro AN515-44 typically features dual graphics: an integrated Intel UHD Graphics and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti. You need to ensure both are up to date.
- Intel Graphics Driver: Visit the Intel Download Center or use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant. Download the latest driver for your specific CPU generation and install it. Restart your laptop after installation.
- NVIDIA Graphics Driver: Go to the NVIDIA website’s driver download page. Enter your GPU model (GTX 1650 Ti) and operating system (Windows 10). Download the Game Ready Driver or Studio Driver and run the installer. Choose "Clean Installation" if available to remove old files.
If you prefer using Acer’s official tools, open Acer Care Center from the Start menu. Navigate to the "Solution Center" tab and check for updates under the "Driver" section. This ensures compatibility with Acer’s specific hardware configurations.
Adjust Refresh Rate Settings
An incorrect refresh rate setting can cause mild flickering, especially if the display is set to a non-standard frequency. The Nitro AN515-44 usually supports a 144Hz refresh rate, but sometimes it defaults to 60Hz or an unstable value.
- Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
- Scroll down and click on Advanced display.
- Look for the Refresh rate dropdown menu. Select 144 Hz if available, or try 60 Hz to see if the flickering stops.
If changing the refresh rate resolves the issue, keep that setting. If not, revert to the previous value and proceed to the next step. Incorrect refresh rates can also cause black screens, so refer to Troubleshooting: Need to Boot PC Twice to Get Display Signal/Image if you encounter signal loss during these changes.
Disable Hardware Acceleration in Browsers
Web browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox use hardware acceleration to render pages faster. On some systems, this feature conflicts with the graphics driver, causing flickering specifically when browsing.
- Google Chrome: Go to
Settings>System. Toggle off Use graphics acceleration when available. Relaunch Chrome. - Mozilla Firefox: Go to
Options>General. Scroll to Performance. Uncheck Use recommended performance settings, then uncheck Use hardware acceleration when available. Restart Firefox. - Microsoft Edge: Go to
Settings>System and performance. Turn off Use graphics acceleration when available.
This step isolates whether the flickering is browser-specific or system-wide. If the flickering stops in the browser, the issue was likely a conflict between the browser’s rendering engine and the GPU.
Check for Conflicting Software
Certain third-party applications, such as overlay tools from Discord, Steam, or RGB lighting software like Acer PredatorSense, can cause display instability. These apps often hook into the graphics pipeline and may trigger flickering.
Temporarily disable or uninstall these applications to test if the flickering persists. Pay special attention to any software that modifies screen colors or adds overlays. If you suspect a specific app, check its settings for GPU acceleration options and disable them.
Additionally, ensure that Windows 10 is fully updated. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. Microsoft frequently releases patches that fix display-related bugs.
Hardware Diagnostics
If software solutions fail, the issue might be hardware-related. The Nitro AN515-44 has built-in diagnostics that can help identify faulty components.
- Restart your laptop and repeatedly press
F2to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. - Navigate to the Information or Diagnostics tab.
- Run the Video Test or Display Test. This will cycle through colors and patterns on the screen.
If you see artifacts, lines, or persistent flickering during the BIOS test, the issue is likely hardware-based, such as a loose display cable or a failing panel. In this case, contact Acer Support for repair assistance. For more advanced troubleshooting related to display signals, see PC Still Using GPU: No Display or Boot Issue After Turning it On at Night.
Reset Display Settings
Sometimes, custom color profiles or scaling settings can cause flickering. Resetting these to default values can resolve the issue.
- Go to
Settings>System>Display. - Under Scale and layout, ensure Change the size of text, apps, and other items is set to 100% (or the recommended value).
- Click on Advanced display settings > Display adapter properties.
- In the new window, go to the Color Management tab and click Color Management.... Select your display and click Delete next to any custom profiles, then click Add and choose sRGB IEC61966-2.1.
This ensures that your display uses standard color profiles, which can prevent flickering caused by incompatible ICC files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my screen flicker only when gaming?
This is usually due to the dedicated NVIDIA GPU being active while the integrated Intel GPU handles the display output. Ensure you have installed the latest NVIDIA Game Ready drivers. Additionally, check if any game-specific settings like V-Sync or G-Sync are enabled, as toggling these can sometimes stabilize the display.
Can a loose HDMI cable cause internal screen flickering?
No, a loose external HDMI cable will only affect an external monitor, not the laptop’s built-in screen. Internal flickering is almost always related to software drivers, refresh rate settings, or internal hardware components like the display ribbon cable. If you experience flickering on both the internal screen and an external monitor simultaneously, the issue is likely with the GPU or drivers.
How do I know if my display panel is failing?
If you see physical lines, dead pixels, or flickering that persists even in the BIOS/UEFI environment, the display panel or its connection cable may be damaged. Run the built-in video diagnostic tool in the BIOS to confirm. If the test fails, contact Acer Support for a warranty claim or repair service.
Does disabling hardware acceleration in browsers affect performance?
Disabling hardware acceleration can slightly increase CPU usage when rendering complex web pages, but it often improves stability on systems with driver conflicts. The impact on everyday browsing is minimal. If you notice slower page loads, you can re-enable it after ensuring your graphics drivers are updated.
What should I do if the screen flickers immediately after booting?
If flickering occurs before Windows loads, it is likely a hardware issue or a problem with the initial graphics driver initialization. Try booting into Safe Mode. If the screen is stable in Safe Mode, a startup application or driver is causing the issue. Disable recent installations or roll back drivers to a previous version.