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

If you've ever been in the middle of an important Zoom meeting only to have your screen start flickering—flashing between normal display and distortion, dark bands, or rapid refreshes—you're not alone. Screen flickering during Zoom calls has become a surprisingly common issue across both Windows PCs and Macs. It disrupts communication, distracts participants, and can even cause eye strain or headaches over time. While the root causes vary, most flickering problems are fixable with targeted troubleshooting.

The good news is that many of these issues aren’t hardware failures. More often than not, they stem from software conflicts, outdated drivers, incompatible settings, or power management features interfering with Zoom’s real-time video processing. With the right approach, you can resolve the problem quickly and return to stable, professional-quality video meetings.

Understanding Why Screens Flicker During Zoom Calls

Screen flickering during Zoom isn't usually caused by Zoom itself—but rather how your system handles Zoom's demands. Zoom relies heavily on your GPU (graphics processing unit), camera feed, display refresh rate, and background processes. When any of these components behave unexpectedly, visual artifacts like flickering appear.

Common triggers include:

• Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers – Especially on Windows machines where driver updates are infrequent.
• Hardware acceleration conflicts – Both in Zoom and your browser if joining via web client.
• Incompatible display refresh rates – Mismatches between monitor settings and system capabilities.
• Power-saving modes – On laptops, dynamic GPU switching can cause instability under load.
• Third-party apps interfering – Antivirus tools, screen recorders, or overlays (e.g., Discord, Steam).
• macOS-specific bugs – Particularly after OS updates affecting window rendering or external displays.

Before jumping into drastic measures like reinstalling your OS or replacing hardware, try methodical, low-risk solutions that address the most frequent culprits.

Tip: Restart your computer before attempting deeper fixes—many flickering issues resolve after a simple reboot due to temporary GPU memory leaks or process hangs.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Windows Users

Windows PCs offer more variability in hardware and configuration, which increases the chance of compatibility issues. However, this also means more control over settings that affect display stability.

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

This is the single most effective step for resolving flickering. Outdated GPU drivers struggle with modern applications like Zoom, especially when handling high-resolution video feeds.

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, Intel UHD Graphics) and choose Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

If Windows doesn’t find an update, visit the manufacturer’s website:

• NVIDIA Driver Downloads
• AMD Driver Support
• Intel Graphics Drivers

Install the latest WHQL-certified version compatible with your OS.

2. Disable Hardware Acceleration in Zoom

Hardware acceleration lets Zoom use your GPU for rendering, but it can backfire if drivers are unstable.

1. Open Zoom desktop app.
2. Click your profile picture > Settings.
3. Go to Video tab.
4. Uncheck Enable hardware acceleration for video.
5. Restart Zoom and test a call.

You may also want to disable hardware acceleration in your browser if joining Zoom via Chrome or Edge:

1. Open Chrome > Settings > System.
2. Toggle off Use hardware acceleration when available.
3. Relaunch browser.

3. Adjust Display Refresh Rate

A mismatched refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz vs 120Hz) can cause flickering, especially on high-DPI monitors.

1. Right-click desktop > Display settings.
2. Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
3. Select your display and check Refresh rate.
4. Try switching from 120Hz or 144Hz to 60Hz temporarily to test stability.

If flickering stops, consider updating your monitor firmware or using a certified cable (DisplayPort/HDMI 2.0+).

4. Stop Conflicting Background Applications

Apps that overlay graphics—like Discord, OBS, or Razer Synapse—can interfere with Zoom’s rendering pipeline.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Look for non-essential programs using GPU or high CPU.
3. End tasks one by one (start with known overlay tools).
4. Test Zoom again after each closure.

Solutions for Mac Users

Mac users aren’t immune to flickering, especially those on macOS Sonoma or Ventura with external monitors or M1/M2 chips. Apple’s integrated graphics and display pipeline are generally stable, but certain conditions trigger rendering glitches.

1. Check for macOS Updates

Apple frequently releases patches for graphics-related bugs.

1. Click Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. Install any pending updates, including supplemental ones.

Recent versions have addressed flickering related to Stage Manager, external 4K displays, and Metal API performance.

2. Reset NVRAM/PRAM and SMC (Intel Macs Only)

These low-level settings govern power delivery and display behavior.

To reset NVRAM:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on and immediately press Option + Command + P + R.
3. Hold for about 20 seconds, then release.

To reset SMC (on Macs with T2 chip):

1. Shut down.
2. Press and hold Control + Option + Shift (left side) + Power button for 10 seconds.
3. Release and power on.

Note: Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and later) manage these systems automatically and do not require manual resets.

3. Disable Automatic Graphics Switching (if applicable)

On MacBook Pros with dual GPUs, automatic switching can cause flicker under load.

1. Go to System Settings > Battery.
2. Uncheck Automatic graphics switching.
3. Restart and test Zoom.

4. Run Zoom in Low-Security Mode (for persistent flicker)

Rarely, macOS security policies interfere with camera or screen sharing. Temporarily adjust permissions:

1. Quit Zoom.
2. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
3. Under Screen Recording, uncheck Zoom.
4. Reopen Zoom—it will prompt for access again.
5. Re-grant permission and restart the app.

“Graphics flickering during video conferencing often points to software-layer conflicts rather than failing hardware. The first diagnostic step should always be isolating third-party influences.” — Dr. Lena Torres, Senior Systems Engineer at TechInsight Labs

Universal Checklist: Fix Screen Flickering Fast

No matter your operating system, follow this checklist to eliminate flickering efficiently:

Checklist: Quick Flicker Fix Protocol

1. Restart your computer.
2. Close unnecessary background apps (especially screen capture or overlay tools).
3. Update Zoom to the latest version.
4. Disable hardware acceleration in Zoom settings.
5. Update graphics drivers (PC) or macOS (Mac).
6. Switch to 60Hz refresh rate temporarily.
7. Test Zoom on another user account to rule out profile corruption.
8. Try joining a test meeting at zoom.us/test.

Do’s and Don’ts: Managing Display Stability

Action	Do	Don’t
Updating software	Regularly update Zoom, OS, and drivers.	Ignore update notifications for extended periods.
Using external monitors	Use certified cables and matching refresh rates.	Daisy-chain multiple monitors without testing stability.
Troubleshooting	Isolate variables one at a time.	Change multiple settings at once—this masks what worked.
Running other apps	Pause recording or streaming tools during Zoom calls.	Run OBS, Teams, and Zoom simultaneously without monitoring resource use.

Real Example: Remote Worker Resolves Daily Flickering

Sarah, a project manager in Austin, began experiencing screen flickering every morning during her team’s 9 a.m. Zoom stand-up. The issue only occurred on her Dell laptop connected to a 4K external monitor. Internal screen worked fine.

She tried restarting Zoom, then her PC—no change. After reading about refresh rate mismatches, she checked her display settings and found her external monitor was running at 120Hz while her graphics driver listed compatibility issues with that mode.

Sarah downgraded the refresh rate to 60Hz, updated her Intel UHD Graphics driver from Intel’s site, and disabled hardware acceleration in Zoom. The flickering stopped immediately. She later discovered a BIOS update that resolved the 120Hz instability permanently.

Her experience underscores the importance of checking peripheral configurations—not just the primary device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a faulty HDMI or DisplayPort cable cause flickering?

Yes. A damaged or low-quality cable can introduce signal interference, especially at higher resolutions or refresh rates. Try swapping cables or using a different port to isolate the issue. Certified cables (e.g., VESA-certified DisplayPort) reduce risk.

Does flickering mean my GPU is failing?

Not necessarily. While persistent flickering across all applications (games, videos, desktop use) may indicate hardware failure, Zoom-specific flickering is typically software-related. Test other GPU-intensive apps—if they run smoothly, the hardware is likely fine.

Why does flickering only happen when I share my screen?

Screen sharing dramatically increases GPU workload. If hardware acceleration is enabled but drivers are outdated, the system may struggle to render both the outgoing feed and local display. Disable hardware acceleration and lower shared content resolution (e.g., share at 1080p instead of 4K).

Prevent Future Issues: Long-Term Best Practices

Once you’ve fixed the immediate problem, adopt habits that prevent recurrence:

• Schedule monthly driver/OS checks – Set calendar reminders to verify updates.
• Use Zoom’s built-in diagnostics – Visit zoom.us/test regularly to assess audio, video, and connection health.
• Maintain a clean startup environment – Avoid launching resource-heavy apps at boot.
• Monitor temperature and performance – Overheating GPUs can throttle or glitch. Use tools like HWMonitor (PC) or iStat Menus (Mac) to track thermal behavior.
• Create a dedicated Zoom profile – On shared computers, use a separate user account with minimal background services.

Additionally, consider using Zoom Rooms or enterprise-managed accounts if your organization supports them. These often include centralized device policies that enforce stable graphics settings.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Video Experience

Screen flickering during Zoom calls is frustrating but rarely permanent. Whether you're on a Windows laptop or a MacBook Pro, the solution usually lies in a combination of updated software, smart settings, and eliminating background interference. By understanding the underlying causes—from driver issues to refresh rate mismatches—you gain the power to fix not just today’s problem, but future ones too.

💬 Experiencing flickering? Try the checklist above and share what worked in the comments. Help others troubleshoot faster!