Why is my Chromebook screen glitching?: 12 ways to fix it

If you are experiencing screen glitches on your Chromebook, you may be wondering why this is happening. Glitches can be frustrating and disruptive to your work or entertainment, but understanding the cause of these issues can help you find a solution.

In this article, we will discuss some possible reasons for why your Chromebook screen may be glitching and simple ways to fix it.

5 Potential causes of Chromebook screen glitching

There are several potential causes that could be behind your Chromebook screen glitching. Here, I will discuss five of them.

1- Hardware Issues:

One of the top causes for glitches on your Chromebook is a hardware issue, such as a faulty connection or defective hardware component.

2- Software Problems:

Another potential cause for your Chromebook’s screen glitching could be software problems. This could include outdated software, corrupted system files, or incorrect configuration settings.

3- Display Settings Problem:

You may also see glitches on your Chromebook’s display if the settings have been changed. This could be due to changes in resolution or color depth, which can cause distortions onscreen.

4- Outdated Drivers:

Outdated drivers can also cause your Chromebook’s screen to glitch.

To make sure that your device is running the most up-to-date versions of its drivers, check for updates regularly in order to maintain optimal performance.

5- Malware or Viruses:

Finally, malware and viruses can also be responsible for glitching on a Chromebook.

If these malicious programs are present on your system, they could redirect important processes away from their designated tasks, resulting in abnormal behavior and errors.

12 Ways to fix if Chromebook screen glitching

Here, we have compiled a list of 12 solutions that can help you resolve the issue of screen glitching on your Chromebook.

1. Restart your Chromebook
2. Update graphics drivers
3. Adjust display settings
4. Turn off hardware acceleration
5. Run a malware scan
6. Close conflicting apps
7. Adjust Chrome flags
8. Clear browser cache
9. Remove extensions
10. Reset your Chromebook
11. Reinstall Chrome OS
12. Take your Chromebook to a repair shop

1. Restart your Chromebook

The first and easiest solution is to simply restart your device. Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix technical issues like screen glitching.

To restart your Chromebook, press and hold the power button until it shuts down completely. Then, press the power button again to turn it back on. If the issue persists, move on to the next solution.

2. Update graphics drivers

As mentioned earlier, outdated graphics drivers can cause screen glitching on Chromebooks. To update your graphics drivers, follow these steps:

1. Click on the time in the bottom right corner of your screen.
2. Click on ‘Settings’ and then select ‘About Chrome OS’.
3. Click on ‘Check for updates’ and install any available updates.

If there are no updates available, you can try manually updating your graphics drivers by going to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest version. Once updated, restart your device to see if the issue has been resolved. If not, move on to the next solution.

3. Adjust display settings

Sometimes, the issue may lie in your device’s display settings. To fix this, try adjusting the display settings to see if it makes a difference.

You can change the resolution, orientation, or refresh rate of your screen by going to ‘Settings’ and then clicking on ‘Display’. Experiment with different settings to see if it helps resolve the issue. If not, move on to the next solution.

4. Turn off hardware acceleration

Hardware acceleration is a feature that allows your device to use its hardware components to perform tasks more efficiently. However, it can also cause conflicts and lead to screen glitching. To turn off hardware acceleration on your Chromebook, follow these steps:

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. Type ‘chrome://settings’ in the URL bar and hit enter.
3. Scroll down and click on ‘Advanced’.
4. Under the ‘System’ section, toggle off the option for ‘Use hardware acceleration when available’.
5. Restart your Chromebook to see if the issue has been resolved.

5. Run a malware scan

As mentioned earlier, malware and virus infections can also cause screen glitching on Chromebooks.

To check for any potential threats, run a full system scan using your preferred anti-malware software. If any infections are detected, follow the recommended steps to remove them. Restart your device and check if the issue has been resolved. If not, move on to the next solution.

6. Close conflicting apps

Sometimes, certain apps or programs may conflict with each other and cause screen glitching on Chromebooks. To identify and close any conflicting apps, follow these steps:

1. Press ‘Shift + Esc’ to open the task manager.
2. Check for any apps or programs that may be consuming a lot of memory or processing power.
3. Close these apps and check if the issue has been resolved.

If not, move on to the next solution.

7. Adjust Chrome flags

Chrome has a feature called ‘flags’ that allows you to make advanced changes to the browser’s settings. Sometimes, changing these flags can help fix technical issues like screen glitching.

To access Chrome flags, type ‘chrome://flags’ in the address bar and press enter.

Look for any settings related to your device’s graphics or display and try enabling or disabling them. Restart your browser and check if the issue has been resolved. If not, move on to the next solution.

8. Clear browser cache

A buildup of temporary files and data in your Chrome browser’s cache can also cause issues like screen glitching. To clear the cache, follow these steps:

1. Click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner of your Chrome browser.
2. Go to ‘More tools’ and then select ‘Clear browsing data’.
3. Select the time range and check the box next to ‘Cached images and files’.
4. Click on ‘Clear data’ and restart your browser.

Check if the issue has been resolved. If not, move on to the next solution.

9. Remove extensions

Extensions are small programs that can enhance your browsing experience but they can also cause compatibility issues and disrupt the proper functioning of your device. To remove any extensions that may be causing the issue, follow these steps:

1. Click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner of your Chrome browser.
2. Go to ‘More tools’ and then select ‘Extensions’.
3. Find the extension you want to remove and click on ‘Remove’.
4. Restart your browser and check if the issue has been resolved.

If not, move on to the next solution.

10. Reset your Chromebook

Resetting your Chromebook can help resolve any software issues that may be causing screen glitching. However, this will erase all data on your device, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding. To reset your Chromebook, follow these steps:

1. Click on the time in the bottom right corner of your screen.
2. Click on ‘Settings’ and then select ‘Advanced’.
3. Click on ‘Reset settings’ and then select ‘Powerwash’.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the reset process.

Once done, check if the issue has been resolved. If not, move on to the next solution.

11. Reinstall Chrome OS

Reinstalling Chrome OS can also help resolve screen glitching issues, but this should be done as a last resort. This will completely erase all data on your device and revert it to its factory settings. To reinstall Chrome OS, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your Chromebook.
2. Press and hold ‘Esc + Refresh’ buttons simultaneously while pressing the power button.
3. Once you see a message saying ‘Chrome OS is missing or damaged’, press ‘Ctrl + D’.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the reinstallation process.

Note: This method may differ for different Chromebook models, so make sure to check your device’s manual or contact customer support for specific instructions.

12. Take your Chromebook to a repair shop

If none of the above methods work, it may be time to take your Chromebook to a repair shop. There could be an underlying hardware issue causing the display glitches, and an expert can help diagnose and fix the problem.

Before taking your device in for repairs, make sure to back up any important files or data.

Why is Chromebook screen flashing black?

Chromebook screen flashing black is usually an indication of a hardware issue such as a faulty display cable, loose connection, or damaged display panel.

To resolve this issue, it may be necessary to contact a professional technician in order to get your device up and running again.

Final Verdict

If you’re seeing glitching on your Chromebook’s display, then it is important to investigate the cause of the issue. Possible causes could include hardware problems, software issues, out-of-date drivers, or malicious programs.

To troubleshoot and fix the problem, you should check for hardware defects, update your software and drivers, scan your system for malware and viruses, and contact a professional technician if necessary.

By taking all of these steps, you can hopefully get your Chromebook’s display back to normal in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop my Chromebook screen from flickering?

The best way to pause your Chromebook screen from flickering is to check for hardware problems first and then update all of your software, drivers, and display settings.

Should I shut down my Chromebook every night?

It’s a good idea to shut down your Chromebook every night in order to ensure that all of the data stored on your device is secure and backed up.

It will also help preserve your Chromebook battery life and prevent any unnecessary wear and tear from occurring over time.

What could be causing my Chromebook screen to glitch?

There are several potential causes for glitching on a Chromebook’s display, such as hardware problems, outdated software or drivers, and malicious programs.

Can I fix glitching on my Chromebook’s screen myself?

Yes, in many cases you can troubleshoot and fix glitching on your Chromebook’s display yourself by following the steps outlined above. However, if none of these steps work, then it may be best to contact a professional technician in order to get your device up and running again.

Does screen flickering mean virus?

Not necessarily. Screen flickering can be caused by hardware problems, outdated software or drivers, or malicious programs.

What apps can cause screen flickering?

Certain apps or programs that are not optimized for your device can cause screen flickering. To avoid this, be sure to only use apps and programs that are compatible with your Chromebook.

Do I need a technician to fix my Chromebook screen?

If you have followed the steps outlined above and are still experiencing issues with your Chromebook’s display, then it may be necessary to contact a professional technician in order to get your device up and running again.