This panel flickers, also known as Shimmering , is usually caused by changes in the screen's refresh rate, which are associated with different brightness patterns. The eye sees it as if there are stripes on the screen that flicker from top to bottom or from left to right.
Since this is a display problem, it affects everything we do with the smartphone, but fortunately, there are many solutions that can be fixed.
Contents [show]
- What is this flickering thing?
- Is this a hardware or software error?
- Try this before you throw away your phone Restart your phone
- Remove screensaver
- Booting into Safe Mode
- Disable automatic brightness
- Check for updates
- Disable hardware overlays
- Hard reset
Screen damage
Sometimes flickering and screen problems can occur after the device has been seriously dropped or comes into contact with water. The phone may be damaged:
- the screen itself;
- microcircuit (or video controller);
- cables that allow you to connect elements into a single system.
These problems cannot be solved on your own, so you will have to contact service centers, where a specialist will determine the cause of the display malfunction. Almost any technician can quickly fix screen damage, but solving the last two points will take more time, and you will need to pay a larger amount.
Damaged cable
It is very easy to determine that the phone is flickering due to damage to the flexible wire system. If you carefully examine the screen, then due to damage to the flexible contact, the cable matrix will either ripple, or the picture will partially disappear from the phone screen. This is due to the fact that the connection of moving elements is responsible for producing a video signal. The damaged area will broadcast images intermittently. To make sure that the flickering problem is a faulty cable, completely disassembling the device and checking the contacts of the moving microcircuit will help.
Usually, such cable malfunctions are visible even to a non-specialist. The main visual signs by which you can identify the problem:
- darkening of the area where the line core runs;
- breaks and breaks in the cable;
- damage in places where parts are permanently connected.
To correct the situation, you will need: rosin, tin, soldering iron and special skills.
Clear screen
When starting to independently revive a poorly functioning, slow or glitchy sensor, you need to clean it of contaminants. This will definitely not make the smartphone any worse, but the contact between the finger and the touchscreen will improve, which may well solve the problem of freezing and stuttering. To clean your smartphone display, it is better to use a soft, lint-free cloth and a special sensor cleaner. Special wet wipes for screens are also suitable.
Software malfunction
Many users do not even think that screen flickering may be due to a conflict between two or more installed programs, the harmful influence of a virus, increased software contamination of the system, or invisible application failures. In this case, you can clean the device yourself, roll back to factory settings and install anti-virus software from the application store.
If these actions do not lead to a positive result, you should reflash your smartphone. Almost every smartphone has its own and different firmware methods. Therefore, it is not recommended to do this procedure yourself without special training, because you can make a “brick” out of your phone. It is better then to contact a workshop or service center.
Battery
Another possible problem is a weak and failing battery. This is usually true for smartphones whose battery has not been changed for more than 3-4 years. You can check this by putting your phone on charge.
If the display starts working correctly, it means that the cause of the problem has been found.
In this case, you need to purchase another battery and replace it. If the back cover of the phone does not open or the battery is built-in, it is recommended to contact a specialist. Be careful when choosing a battery, as counterfeits not only quickly fail, but can also harm your smartphone.
Conclusion
Finding the cause of your phone screen flickering is not an easy task. Often breakdowns occur due to severe mechanical damage and application malfunctions. Failure also occurs due to an unsuitable charger or a weak battery, which causes the display to ripple. The right way out in this situation would be to contact a specialist who, using special instruments, will conduct a complete diagnosis of the mobile device and diagnose the main cause of the blinking.
Of course, you can fix the problem yourself at home. However, you should not forget that without special skills, such a repair can lead to a complete breakdown of the phone. After its failure, not a single technician will undertake to repair the device.
Why does the screen on my smartphone twitch?
The situation with smartphones is the same as with other mobile devices. For example, if the screen on an iPhone twitches, then you should start diagnosing it with the reasons listed above. On the software side, it should be noted that a number of applications, namely browsers, can cause the image on the screen to shake or flicker.
The problem is solved by reinstalling. If the screen is damaged, you should buy a display and replace it. When diagnosing mobile devices, the possibility of poor soldering should not be overlooked. A similar problem often occurs on Chinese-made models.
Flashing when charging
In some cases, the phone screen will flicker if you are using a non-genuine external charger when charging it. This is especially often observed on inexpensive models from manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom when the low backlight mode is set.
If an artifact is detected when charging is connected, you need to change the device to a similar voltage. You can charge a mobile device through a non-original power supply, but it must be of high quality and match the characteristics of the original charger as closely as possible.
When searching for and purchasing an analogue of the original charger, it is recommended to find a device with mirror specifications. As a rule, they are indicated either on the power supplies themselves or on stickers on top of them.
If after replacing the charger the defect still remains, it is advisable to simply exchange the purchased gadget for a similar one. This problem is not critical, and a phone with such an artifact will last a long time.
What to do if the problem cannot be resolved?
If rebooting the device, re-gluing the glass and removing the protective case did not produce any results and the touchscreen is still buggy, most likely the issue is not software errors and incorrect accessories, but a malfunction of the internal components of the device. In this case, you should contact the service professionals who will carry out diagnostics, identify the breakdown and replace the failed part.
Reboot your phone
As stated above, the problem may be software. In this case, rebooting the device may help. If your iPhone sensor is faulty, you need to:
- Press and hold the power and home buttons (power and volume down buttons on iPhone 7 and above).
- Wait for the Apple logo to appear on the phone screen.
- Check the functionality of the sensor by touching the icon of any application after loading the system.
If the sensor malfunctions on a smartphone running Android, the instructions for rebooting will vary, since the key combinations depend on the device manufacturer. For example, for most Samsung smartphones, a combination of the power key and volume down key is suitable. Rebooting the device can solve the problem of the sensor not working properly due to a software error.
Solving a problem related to the operation of the video controller
The graphics accelerator is responsible for displaying the image on the smartphone screen. It displays an image on the screen in the form of points on a plane and consists of memory, a matrix and binding. The chip is the most important component of a smartphone. The performance of graphics and, first of all, the most intensive applications and video content depends on its technical capabilities. If at least one of its internal elements fails, problems arise on the dielectric plate. The following appears on the screen:
- ripple;
- flashing;
- glow and stripes of different widths.
It is unlikely that you will be able to replace the graphics subsystem yourself without special skills. Therefore, in this case, it is advisable to take the phone to a service center.
If all else fails
This means that most likely the operating system was not the cause; you should check the phone’s hardware itself. Typically, problems with the screen are the result of rough physical impact on the phone - usually dropping the device onto a hard surface from hand height, bathing the phone in a washbasin, or getting caught in pouring rain. The consequences appear in the form of an unstable backlight, which constantly blinks and the image is covered with multi-colored moving ripples.
Troubleshooting if it's a software issue
- It’s trivial, of course, but try rebooting - perhaps the problem will disappear immediately and forever.
- Auto-brightness not working properly sometimes causes the screen to flicker unpleasantly. Go to your phone settings and disable this feature, then restart your phone.
- The operating system kernel is responsible for the stable operation of the display. It usually comes bundled with the firmware itself, but can also be installed separately, taking into account compatibility. Screen flickering very often appears when installing updates or completely flashing the phone, as well as when replacing the kernel. Usually the problem is solved by installing another firmware, based on a different kernel from the problematic one, or by searching for a separate kernel that is fully compatible with the current device and the firmware itself.
- The kernel may be correct, but the custom firmware may be incorrectly ported or assembled crookedly, which is why some of its functions conflict with the current hardware. It is recommended to use only those firmwares that are fully compatible with the specific model, as well as with the hardware of the phone.
Secret codes for testing
There are several more ways to find a possible problem; to do this, refer to the service codes, which are suitable for all smartphones running Android. The codes can help in setting up the system and identifying the reasons when the smartphone screen begins to tremble (twitch) or shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow.
*#*#4636#*#* - allows you to view basic information about the phone, battery, user statistics. *#*#7780#*#* - resets settings, deletes only existing applications. *2767*3855# - performs a full reset , with reinstallation of the existing firmware.*#*#0*#*#* - quick test of any LCD display.*#*#2663#*#* - makes it possible to test the touch screen for response and the number of simultaneous presses.*#* #1234#*#* - provides comprehensive data regarding the device’s firmware, which is necessary when reinstalling or updating the software. *#06# - the most common code, used to obtain IMEI data.
Software failure
Most users of modern smartphones do not even suspect that the screen may flicker due to the incompatibility of some applications. In this case, a device hardware conflict occurs when multiple programs simultaneously try to access the same system resource.
In addition, blinking and the appearance of stripes can arise from the presence of malicious software in the system, garbage in the complex of programs that provide control. As well as software errors that lead to a critical malfunction of a modern gadget.
In this case, the owner can independently clean his mobile device, reset the software data to factory settings, and download anti-virus utilities from the trusted Google Play online market. However, if all the steps taken do not bring the desired result, the phone needs to be reflashed.
If this procedure is carried out incorrectly, the smartphone can completely block access to any programs and applications. As a result, the owner will receive a useless piece of iron. To prevent this from happening, you need to carefully study all the recommendations for flashing the device yourself. Or contact the service center.
What is flicker
The appearance of the device screen blinking should alert the owner. Using such a device is not only unpleasant, but also dangerous to health. Screen flickering leads to rapid eye fatigue: the capillaries in the eyeball burst and the retina deteriorates. There can be several reasons for the display to flicker or ripple. The malfunction can be of either software or hardware type. “Jumping” video content and other visually unpleasant deviations in the image often occur due to mechanical damage to the mobile device.
Quite often, such a nuisance occurs due to moisture getting inside the device. Most cases of unstable display operation depend on this factor. This problem can only be resolved by replacing the touch panel or the entire display.
However, if you discover such a malfunction, do not despair. Often the display starts to flicker due to a software glitch. Fixing such a defect is much easier than a hardware malfunction.
Constant blinking may cause damage or microcracks on the integrated circuit, which are caused by the device falling. If the device falls, there is a possibility of damaging the microcircuit that is responsible for controlling the screen. It is difficult to do this on your own, since you will have to change the entire board. Without the appropriate knowledge, this will not be possible. Therefore, it is better to take the device to a service center.
Additionally, flashing and ripples may appear after downloading malware. Therefore, you should make sure that the device does not “catch” a virus by downloading a high-quality antivirus program. Sometimes the owner can independently provoke blinking. In this case, the problem arises due to illiterate intervention in the internals of the mobile device.
