How to fix a screen flickering problem on a Dell XPS 15 9550

The Dell XPS 15 9550 is a powerful and popular laptop with a lot of great features. However, some users have reported screen flickering problems which can be quite frustrating. In this article, we will explore the common causes of screen flickering on the Dell XPS 15 9550 and provide detailed troubleshooting steps to help you get your laptop back to normal.

Common causes of screen flickering on a Dell XPS 15 9550

Before we dive into the troubleshooting steps, let’s take a look at some of the common causes of screen flickering on the Dell XPS 15 9550. One of the most common causes is outdated drivers. This can happen when you have not updated your graphics card driver or other hardware drivers for a while. Another common cause of screen flickering is power settings. Your screen may flicker if your laptop battery is low, or if you are using a power adapter that is not providing sufficient power to the device.

Troubleshooting steps to identify screen flickering issues on a Dell XPS 15 9550

If you are experiencing screen flickering on your Dell XPS 15 9550, the first step is to identify the underlying issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Restart your laptop to see if the issue persists.
2. Connect your laptop to an external display to see if the problem is with your laptop’s screen or with the graphics card.
3. Run a hardware diagnostic test to check for any physical damage or defects.
4. Check your power adapter and battery to ensure they are not causing the problem.
5. Check for any software conflicts or viruses that may be causing the issue.

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may need to update your graphics card driver. Go to the Dell website and download the latest driver for your graphics card. Install the driver and restart your laptop to see if the issue is resolved.

If updating the graphics card driver does not work, you may need to replace the screen. Contact Dell customer support to schedule a repair or replacement of your laptop screen.

Fixing screen flickering caused by outdated drivers on Dell XPS 15 9550

If the underlying issue of the screen flickering problem on your Dell XPS 15 9550 is outdated drivers, you can follow these steps to fix the problem:

1. Go to the Dell Support website and navigate to the Drivers & Downloads section.
2. Select your laptop model and operating system.
3. Download and install the latest graphics card driver and audio driver.
4. Restart your laptop.

It is important to note that if updating the drivers does not solve the screen flickering issue, there may be other underlying causes such as a faulty display or hardware issues. In such cases, it is recommended to seek professional assistance from Dell support or a certified technician.

Adjusting power settings to prevent screen flickering on a Dell XPS 15 9550

If the issue is related to power settings, you can try adjusting the power settings to prevent the screen from flickering. Here’s how:

1. Click on the battery icon in the system tray.
2. Select Power & Sleep Settings.
3. Click on Additional Power Settings.
4. Choose the High Performance power plan.
5. Adjust the Advanced Power Settings to ensure the display setting for ‘On battery’ and ‘Plugged in’ is set to the recommended settings.

It’s important to note that adjusting power settings may affect the battery life of your Dell XPS 15 9550. If you’re experiencing screen flickering frequently, it may be worth considering replacing the battery or seeking professional assistance to diagnose and fix the issue.

Using Windows troubleshooter to fix screen flickering on a Dell XPS 15 9550

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help you identify and fix issues related to screen flickering. Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to the Control Panel and select Troubleshooting.
2. Select View all, and then select Hardware and Devices.
3. Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.

It’s important to note that the Windows troubleshooter may not always be able to fix the issue with screen flickering. If the troubleshooter is unable to resolve the problem, you may need to update your graphics driver or adjust your display settings manually. You can check for updates to your graphics driver by going to the manufacturer’s website or using a driver update tool. Additionally, adjusting your display settings such as the refresh rate or resolution may also help to alleviate the screen flickering issue.

Updating BIOS to solve screen flickering issues on a Dell XPS 15 9550

Another common cause of screen flickering on the Dell XPS 15 9550 is an outdated BIOS. To update your BIOS, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Dell Support website.
2. Select your laptop model and operating system.
3. Download and install the latest BIOS version.
4. Restart your laptop.

It is important to note that updating your BIOS can be a delicate process and should be done with caution. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and avoid interrupting the update process. It is also recommended to have your laptop plugged in during the update to avoid any power interruptions. If you are unsure about updating your BIOS, it is best to seek assistance from a professional.

Resolving software conflicts that cause screen flickering on a Dell XPS 15 9550

If the screen flickering is caused by software conflicts, you can try uninstalling any recently installed software or updates. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Start menu and select Control Panel.
2. Select Programs and Features.
3. Locate the software or update that may be causing the problem.
4. Click on Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions.

If uninstalling recently installed software or updates does not resolve the screen flickering issue, you can try updating your graphics card driver. Outdated or corrupted graphics card drivers can also cause screen flickering. Here’s how to update your graphics card driver:

1. Go to the Start menu and search for Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display adapters category.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update.

How to recalibrate your display and stop screen flickering on a Dell XPS 15 9550

Screen flickering can sometimes be caused by a misconfigured display. Here’s how to recalibrate your display:

1. Go to the Control Panel and select Color Management.
2. Select the Advanced tab and click on Calibrate display.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your display.

It’s important to note that screen flickering can also be caused by outdated or corrupted graphics drivers. If recalibrating your display doesn’t solve the issue, try updating your graphics drivers.

If you’re still experiencing screen flickering after recalibrating your display and updating your graphics drivers, it may be a hardware issue. In this case, it’s best to contact Dell support for further assistance.

Checking hardware components for defects that cause screen flicker on a Dell XPS 15 9550

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps without success, you may have a hardware failure. Here’s how to check for defects:

1. Run a hardware diagnostic test to check for any physical damage or defects.
2. If you suspect a problem with your graphics card, you may need to replace it.
3. If you suspect a problem with your laptop’s screen, you may need to replace it.

It’s important to note that screen flicker can also be caused by outdated or corrupted drivers. Make sure to check for any available updates and install them if necessary.

If the hardware diagnostic test does not reveal any defects, you may want to try resetting your laptop’s BIOS settings. This can sometimes resolve issues with hardware components.

Tips for preventing future screen flicker issues on your Dell XPS 15 9550

Here are some tips to help prevent screen flicker issues in the future:

• Make sure your graphics card driver is up to date.
• Adjust your power settings according to your usage to prevent any power-related issues.
• Consider using a cooling pad to prevent overheating.
• Use high-quality power adapters that provide sufficient power to your device.

Another way to prevent screen flicker issues is to avoid exposing your device to extreme temperatures. High temperatures can cause the screen to flicker or even damage the device. Therefore, it is important to keep your device in a cool and dry place.

You can also try disabling any unnecessary background processes or applications that may be causing the screen to flicker. This can be done by accessing the task manager and ending any processes that are not essential to your work or usage.

Getting expert help for persistent screen flicker problems with your Dell XPS 15 9550

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and still experience persistent screen flicker problems, it may be time to seek expert help. Contact Dell support or take your laptop to a qualified technician to get the problem resolved.

Screen flickering on your Dell XPS 15 9550 can be a frustrating problem, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can get your laptop back to normal quickly. Follow the tips in this article and take preventative action to avoid similar problems in the future.

One possible cause of persistent screen flicker problems on your Dell XPS 15 9550 could be outdated or incompatible graphics drivers. Make sure to check for updates regularly and install them as soon as they become available. You can also try rolling back to a previous version of the driver if the latest update is causing issues.

Another potential solution is to adjust the refresh rate of your display. This can be done in the display settings of your laptop. Try lowering the refresh rate to see if it helps reduce or eliminate the screen flicker problem.