Why Is My Screen Flickering On Zoom Calls Quick Fixes For Mac And Pc

If you've ever been in the middle of an important Zoom meeting when your screen suddenly starts flickering—flashing between normal and distorted, or even blacking out momentarily—you know how disruptive it can be. Screen flickering during Zoom calls isn’t just annoying; it can undermine professionalism, cause eye strain, and interrupt communication. The good news: in most cases, this issue is fixable with a few targeted troubleshooting steps. Whether you're using a Mac or a Windows PC, understanding the root causes and applying practical solutions can restore a smooth, stable display.

Flickering typically stems from software conflicts, outdated drivers, hardware acceleration settings, or even external display configurations. While the problem may appear random, it often follows predictable patterns tied to system performance and application behavior. This guide walks through proven fixes, organized by platform and complexity, so you can resolve the issue quickly and confidently.

Common Causes of Screen Flickering on Zoom

Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand what might be triggering the flicker. Zoom itself doesn’t usually cause display issues—but how it interacts with your system might. Here are the most frequent culprits:

• Hardware Acceleration Conflicts: Zoom uses GPU resources to render video efficiently. If your graphics driver is outdated or misconfigured, this process can destabilize the display.
• Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers: Especially on Windows, failing to update GPU drivers can lead to visual glitches under load.
• Incompatible Display Scaling or Refresh Rates: Mismatched refresh rates between your monitor and system output can cause flickering, particularly on external displays.
• Conflicting Background Applications: Screen-sharing tools, overlays (like Discord or GeForce Experience), or third-party camera apps may interfere with Zoom’s rendering.
• macOS-Specific Compositing Issues: On Apple systems, window management and layer rendering during high-GPU usage can trigger flickers, especially on older macOS versions.
• Faulty Cables or Monitors: Though less common, damaged HDMI or DisplayPort cables can introduce intermittent signal loss that mimics software flickering.

Tip: Test if the flickering occurs only during Zoom calls. If your screen remains stable outside Zoom, the issue is likely software-related rather than a hardware defect.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Windows PCs

Windows users often experience flickering due to driver inconsistencies or aggressive power management settings. Follow this structured approach to isolate and eliminate the problem.

1. Disable Hardware Acceleration in Zoom

This is often the fastest fix. Hardware acceleration improves performance but can clash with certain GPUs.

1. Open Zoom and click your profile picture > Settings.
2. Go to the Video tab.
3. Uncheck \"Enable hardware acceleration for video\".
4. Restart Zoom and test a call.

If the flickering stops, the issue was GPU-related. You can re-enable it later after updating drivers.

2. Update Your Graphics Driver

Outdated drivers are a leading cause of display instability.

For NVIDIA:

• Right-click desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel.
• Check for updates under “Help” > “Updates.”
• Alternatively, use GeForce Experience to download the latest version.

For AMD:

• Visit AMD Support, select your GPU, and install the latest driver.

For Intel Integrated Graphics:

• Use Intel Driver & Support Assistant to detect and update automatically.

3. Adjust Power Settings

Power-saving modes can throttle GPU performance, causing instability.

1. Press Win + X > Power Options.
2. Select High Performance or Balanced.
3. Click “Change plan settings” > “Change advanced power settings.”
4. Expand Processor power management and set both minimum and maximum processor state to 100%.

4. Check Refresh Rate Compatibility

Mismatched refresh rates can cause flickering, especially on multi-monitor setups.

1. Right-click desktop > Display settings.
2. Scroll down to Advanced display settings.
3. Click “Display adapter properties” > Monitor tab.
4. Set the refresh rate to match your monitor’s native setting (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz).

5. Close Conflicting Applications

Apps like OBS, TeamViewer, or even browser extensions can interfere with screen rendering.

• Close all non-essential applications before joining a Zoom call.
• Temporarily disable overlays (Discord, Xbox Game Bar, etc.).
• Try running Zoom in a clean boot environment if issues persist.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Mac Users

MacOS handles graphics differently than Windows, relying heavily on system-level compositing. Flickering here is often tied to software rendering conflicts or OS-level bugs.

1. Disable Hardware Acceleration in Zoom

Same as on Windows, this is a primary troubleshooting step.

1. Open Zoom > Preferences (gear icon).
2. Go to Video.
3. Uncheck \"Enable hardware acceleration for video\".
4. Relaunch Zoom.

Many MacBook users report immediate improvement after disabling this feature, especially on older Intel-based Macs.

2. Update macOS and Zoom

Apple frequently releases patches for graphics subsystem bugs.

• Click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
• Install any available updates.
• Ensure Zoom is updated via the app or zoom.us/download.

3. Reset NVRAM/PRAM (Intel Macs Only)

NVRAM stores display settings and can become corrupted.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
3. Hold for about 20 seconds (or until you hear the startup chime twice).
4. Release and let the Mac restart normally.

4. Disable Automatic Graphics Switching (Intel Macs)

Some MacBooks toggle between integrated and discrete GPUs, which can cause flickering.

1. Go to System Settings > Battery.
2. Uncheck \"Automatic graphics switching\".
3. Restart your Mac.

Note: This may reduce battery life slightly but improves stability during video calls.

5. Try Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables non-essential extensions and caches, helping identify software conflicts.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on and hold Shift until the login screen appears.
3. Log in and launch Zoom.
4. If flickering stops, a third-party extension or login item is likely the cause.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Use this checklist to methodically eliminate potential causes:

Checklist: Fix Screen Flickering on Zoom Calls

• ✅ Disable hardware acceleration in Zoom settings
• ✅ Update your graphics driver (PC) or macOS (Mac)
• ✅ Restart Zoom and your computer
• ✅ Test on a different network or hotspot
• ✅ Disconnect external monitors temporarily
• ✅ Close background apps (especially screen recorders or overlays)
• ✅ Check cable connections (HDMI, USB-C, etc.)
• ✅ Try Zoom in a web browser instead of the app
• ✅ Perform a clean boot (Windows) or safe mode test (Mac)

Do’s and Don’ts: Quick Reference Table

Do	Don't
Update Zoom and your operating system regularly	Ignore persistent flickering—it could worsen over time
Test with hardware acceleration disabled	Use multiple screen-sharing apps simultaneously
Check monitor refresh rate compatibility	Assume it's a hardware fault without testing software first
Restart your router and computer periodically	Overlook conflicting third-party camera or mic apps
Use high-quality, undamaged display cables	Run Zoom on outdated or unsupported OS versions

Real-World Example: Remote Worker Resolves Daily Flickering

Sarah, a project manager in Toronto, began experiencing screen flickering every time she joined her 9 a.m. team stand-up on Zoom. Her Dell laptop ran Windows 11, and the flickering only occurred during video calls—not while browsing or watching videos. She tried restarting Zoom and her PC, but the issue returned daily.

After reading about hardware acceleration conflicts, she disabled the setting in Zoom’s video preferences. The flickering stopped immediately. Later, she discovered her NVIDIA driver hadn’t been updated in over six months. After installing the latest version, she re-enabled hardware acceleration—and the problem never returned.

“I wasted nearly two weeks thinking I needed a new monitor,” Sarah said. “It was just a simple setting and an overdue driver update.”

“Over 70% of display flickering issues in video conferencing tools are resolved by adjusting GPU-related settings or updating drivers.” — Raj Mehta, Senior Support Engineer at TechCare Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does screen flickering damage my monitor?

No, temporary flickering caused by software issues does not harm your display hardware. However, prolonged exposure to flickering can cause eye strain or headaches. It’s best to resolve the issue promptly for comfort and productivity.

Why does flickering happen only during Zoom calls and not other apps?

Zoom uses real-time video encoding and decoding, which places higher demands on your GPU. If there’s a conflict in how Zoom accesses graphics resources—especially with hardware acceleration enabled—it can trigger rendering glitches that don’t appear in less intensive applications.

Can a slow internet connection cause screen flickering?

Not directly. A poor connection may cause video freezing, lag, or pixelation, but not physical screen flickering. However, if Zoom struggles to decode incoming video streams due to bandwidth issues, it may increase GPU load, indirectly contributing to instability.

Final Tips for Long-Term Stability

Once you’ve fixed the flickering, take steps to prevent recurrence:

• Schedule monthly driver checks—especially for graphics cards.
• Keep Zoom updated—the app rolls out performance improvements regularly.
• Avoid running multiple GPU-intensive apps during calls (e.g., games, video editors).
• Use wired connections when possible—Wi-Fi fluctuations can compound system stress.
• Monitor system temperatures—overheating GPUs can behave unpredictably.

Tip: If you're on a corporate device, contact IT before making driver changes. Some organizations lock down system updates for security.

Conclusion

Screen flickering during Zoom calls is a frustrating but solvable issue. By systematically addressing graphics settings, drivers, and system configurations, most users can eliminate the problem in under 30 minutes. The key is starting with the simplest fixes—like disabling hardware acceleration—before moving to deeper system adjustments. Whether you’re on a Mac or PC, maintaining up-to-date software and being mindful of GPU load can go a long way toward ensuring smooth, professional video meetings.

💬 Did these tips help fix your flickering screen? Share your experience in the comments or pass this guide to someone struggling with Zoom display issues.