How to reset a flickering screen?

To reset a flickering Samsung screen, start by restarting your phone, then check and adjust display settings such as screen mode, adaptive brightness, and refresh rate. If those steps do not help, you can reset your display settings to their defaults or, as a last resort, perform a factory reset. Most cases of screen flickering on Samsung devices can be resolved without a full reset.

Screen flickering is one of the more unsettling things your Samsung phone can do, but it is usually caused by a software glitch, a rogue app, or a display setting that has drifted out of place. Hardware damage is possible but far less common. The sections below walk through each fix in order, from the quickest solution to the most thorough.

What causes a Samsung screen to flicker?

Samsung screen flickering is most commonly caused by a software conflict, a problematic third-party app, or a display setting that is not compatible with your current usage. Less frequently, it can result from physical damage to the screen or a loose internal connection. Identifying the cause helps you choose the right fix.

Here are the most common triggers for screen flickering on Samsung devices:

A recently installed app that is not fully compatible with your version of One UI
Adaptive brightness or refresh rate settings that are struggling to adjust in certain lighting conditions
An outdated software version that contains a known display bug
Low battery or power-saving mode reducing display performance in a way that causes visual instability
Physical damage such as a cracked screen or a drop that has loosened an internal display connector

If the flickering started after you installed a new app or updated your phone, a software cause is almost certain. If it appeared after the phone was dropped or exposed to moisture, hardware damage is more likely and may require a visit to a Samsung service centre.

Does restarting your phone fix screen flickering?

Yes, restarting your Samsung phone often fixes screen flickering, especially when the cause is a temporary software glitch or an app that has become unresponsive. A restart clears the phone's active memory, stops background processes, and gives the display system a clean start. It takes less than a minute and should always be your first step.

To restart your Samsung phone, press and hold the power button (or the side button on newer models) until the power menu appears, then tap Restart. If the screen is too difficult to interact with due to flickering, press and hold the power button and the volume down button simultaneously for about seven seconds to force a restart.

If the flickering stops after a restart but returns after a few hours, an app running in the background is the likely culprit. Try uninstalling any apps you added recently and see if the problem disappears.

Which Samsung settings can stop screen flickering?

Several Samsung display settings can contribute to screen flickering, and adjusting them is often enough to solve the problem without any kind of reset. The most relevant settings are adaptive brightness, screen mode, and the screen refresh rate. Turning off or adjusting these can stabilise your display quickly.

Adaptive brightness

Adaptive brightness automatically adjusts your screen's brightness based on your environment. When it struggles to settle on the right level, it can cause a subtle but noticeable flickering effect. To turn it off, go to Settings, then Display, and toggle off Adaptive brightness. Set the brightness manually to a comfortable level and see if the flickering stops.

Screen refresh rate

Many Samsung Galaxy phones offer a high refresh rate option (such as 120 Hz) that makes scrolling feel smoother. However, on some devices or in some apps, this setting can cause display instability. Go to Settings, then Display, then Motion smoothness, and switch from Adaptive or High to Standard (60 Hz). This alone resolves flickering for many users.

How do you reset your Samsung display settings?

To reset your Samsung display settings, go to Settings, tap Display, scroll to the bottom, and look for a Reset option if available on your model. On most Samsung phones, you can also reset all settings without wiping your data by going to Settings, then General management, then Reset, and selecting Reset all settings.

The Reset all settings option is particularly useful because it restores your display, sound, and network settings to their factory defaults without deleting your photos, apps, or personal data. This is a meaningful middle ground between tweaking individual settings and doing a full factory reset. After the reset, your phone will restart and your display will be back to the out-of-the-box configuration.

This step is worth trying before committing to a full factory reset, as it resolves a wide range of software-related flickering issues with minimal disruption to your daily use.

When should you do a full factory reset for screen flickering?

You should consider a full factory reset for screen flickering only after you have tried restarting the phone, adjusting display settings, and resetting all settings without success. A factory reset is a last resort for software-related flickering because it erases everything on your phone and restores it to its original state.

Before you proceed, back up your data using Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch so you do not lose your photos, contacts, or app data. Then follow these steps:

Go to Settings
Tap General management
Tap Reset
Select Factory data reset
Read the information on screen, then tap Reset and confirm with your PIN or password

A factory reset makes sense when the flickering is severe, persistent, and clearly software-related. If you suspect the cause is physical damage, a factory reset will not help and you should skip straight to contacting Samsung support.

What if the screen is still flickering after a reset?

If your Samsung screen is still flickering after a factory reset, the problem is almost certainly hardware-related rather than a software issue. A factory reset eliminates all software variables, so persistent flickering after one points to a damaged display panel, a loose internal connector, or another physical fault that cannot be fixed through settings or software.

At this point, the right course of action is to contact Samsung directly or visit a Samsung-authorised service centre. If your device is still under warranty, the repair may be covered at no cost. Even outside of warranty, Samsung's service centres can diagnose the exact cause and provide a repair quote.

In the meantime, avoid putting further pressure on the screen, keep the phone away from moisture, and do not attempt to open the device yourself, as this can void any remaining warranty and risk further damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a third-party app really cause my Samsung screen to flicker, and how do I find out which one?

Yes, a poorly optimised or incompatible third-party app is one of the most common causes of Samsung screen flickering. The easiest way to identify it is to boot your phone into Safe Mode, which temporarily disables all third-party apps — if the flickering stops in Safe Mode, an installed app is the culprit. To enter Safe Mode, press and hold the power button, then long-press the ‘Power off' option until the Safe Mode prompt appears. From there, uninstall recently added apps one by one until the problem is resolved.

Will updating my Samsung's software fix the flickering?

It absolutely can, especially if the flickering started after a previous software update introduced a display bug. Samsung regularly releases One UI patches that address known issues, including display instability. Go to Settings, then Software update, and tap Download and install to check for the latest version. If an update is available, install it and restart your phone to see if the flickering clears up.

Could my screen protector or phone case be contributing to the flickering?

In rare cases, a thick or poorly fitted screen protector can interfere with the proximity or ambient light sensor, which in turn causes the display to behave erratically, including flickering. Try removing the screen protector temporarily and observing whether the issue persists. A case is unlikely to cause flickering on its own, but if it is putting physical pressure on the frame or screen — particularly on foldable Samsung models — it is worth removing it as part of your troubleshooting process.

How do I back up my Samsung phone if the screen is flickering too badly to use it properly?

If the flickering makes the touchscreen difficult to navigate, try connecting your phone to a PC or Mac and using Samsung's Smart Switch desktop application to create a full backup wirelessly or via USB. Alternatively, if you can access Settings at all, enabling Samsung Cloud backup under Settings u003e Accounts and backup u003e Back up data will back up your most important data automatically. As a last resort, you can connect a mouse to your phone via a USB-C OTG adapter to navigate the screen without relying on touch.

Is Samsung screen flickering covered under warranty?

If your Samsung device is within its standard manufacturer warranty period (typically one year, though this varies by region and retailer), screen flickering caused by a manufacturing defect or hardware fault should be covered at no cost. However, warranty cover is generally voided if the damage was caused by a drop, liquid exposure, or unauthorised repair. Contact Samsung Support or visit a Samsung-authorised service centre with your proof of purchase to have the device assessed and confirm whether the repair qualifies for warranty coverage.

What is the difference between 'Reset all settings' and a factory reset, and which should I try first?

‘Reset all settings' restores your system preferences — including display, sound, and network settings — to their defaults without deleting your personal data, apps, or files, making it a much less disruptive option. A factory reset, by contrast, wipes everything on the device and returns it to its out-of-the-box state, requiring you to set the phone up from scratch. Always try ‘Reset all settings' first, since it resolves a wide range of software-related flickering issues with minimal impact on your day-to-day setup.

Can low battery or power-saving mode cause screen flickering on Samsung phones?

Yes, both can contribute to display instability. Power-saving mode reduces the screen's refresh rate and brightness dynamically, and on some Samsung models this aggressive throttling can manifest as flickering, particularly when the display is transitioning between brightness levels. Try disabling power-saving mode by going to Settings u003e Battery and device care u003e Battery and switching the mode to No restrictions, then charge your phone to above 20% and observe whether the flickering improves.

Daniel van Dorp - CTO / Co-Founder / Blogger

[email protected]

First Samsung device: Galaxy S II

Daniel is the proud co-founder of SamMobile. He joined the SamMobile team in 2011. Most of his spare time is spent enjoying nature (and life in general) with his wife & dog, friends, and family.

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