Constant Screen Flickering - i5-10210U UHD Graphics - Safe Mode Fixes It

[Zoned]

Hello Intel Community,

I'm experiencing persistent screen flickering on my HP EliteBook 830 G7 and need help diagnosing this Intel UHD Graphics issue.

System Configuration:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-10210U

• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (10th Generation)

• OS: Windows 10 Home 64-bit (22H2)

• RAM: 8GB

• Laptop: HP EliteBook 830 G7

Problem Description:
Constant screen flickering that:

• Affects both the internal laptop display AND external monitors

• Begins immediately when Windows loads

• Does NOT occur in Windows Safe Mode

• Is present during all normal Windows use

Key Diagnostic Information:

1. Safe Mode Test: Flickering completely stops in Windows Safe Mode

2. Dual Display Test: Both internal and external monitors flicker simultaneously

3. Clean Boot Test: Flickering persists even with minimal startup

4. BIOS Display: No flickering during POST/BIOS screens

Troubleshooting Already Attempted:
✓ Clean driver reinstall using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)
✓ Tested multiple driver versions (latest and older stable releases)
✓ Disabled all Windows display power-saving features
✓ Adjusted refresh rates and scaling settings
✓ Performed full hardware power cycle/reset
✓ Updated all system drivers (chipset, etc.)
✓ Ran HP hardware diagnostics (all tests pass)

Current Driver Details:

• Driver Version: [Your current version - check in Intel Graphics Command Center]

• Driver Date: [Date]

• Graphics Controller: Intel UHD Graphics (Comet Lake)

Specific Questions:

1. Is this a known issue with 10th Gen Intel UHD Graphics power management?

2. What specific Safe Mode differences could explain the flickering stop?

3. Are there recommended registry tweaks or Intel-specific settings to try?

4. Which diagnostic logs should I collect to help identify the root cause?

Additional Information:

• DxDiag report is available

• Event Viewer doesn't show consistent display-related errors

• Temperatures are normal (CPU: 45-60°C during issue)

• Issue is reproducible 100% of the time

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Thank you for posting in Intel Communities.

I'll investigate this issue internally and will respond shortly with specific recommendations and next steps to resolve your problem.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Thank you for the detailed information about your HP EliteBook 830 G7 screen flickering issue. Your thorough troubleshooting is very helpful.

Since the flickering stops in Safe Mode but affects both displays, this points to a driver or power management issue rather than hardware failure.

To help diagnose this further, please provide the following:

1) Share the current Intel UHD Graphics driver version (from the Device Manager), including the other driver versions that you have tried using.

2) External monitor details and connection type (HDMI, USB-C, etc.) and display configuration.

3) Please share the following log files:

• DxDiag report
• Intel System Support Utility (SSU) logs8
• Windows Event Viewer logs during flickering
• Intel Graphics Command Center diagnostic results
• To generate IGCC report for EDID analysis, please follow the steps below:
  • If IGCC is not yet install on the Windows system, download and install the "Intel® Graphics Command Center" from the Microsoft Store.
  • Once installed, launch the Intel® Graphics Command Center (IGCC) software.
  • On the left side of the app, click on "Support" and then on top click "System Diagnostic"
  • To the right, click on "Generate Report" and you will be prompted to save it as a txt file.
  • Save the report which can be used for analysis.

4) What specific driver versions did you test?

5) Have you tried different external monitors/cables?

6) Did you disable Intel Graphics Power Plan settings?

7) Can you test with AC power only (battery removed - if the battery is removable)?

8.Tell us the steps to reproduce the issue (this is very important!).

Regarding your specific questions:

1. While power management-related display issues have been reported with some 10th Gen Intel UHD Graphics configurations, each case requires individual analysis. The diagnostic information you'll provide will help determine if this matches any known patterns.

2. Safe Mode loads minimal drivers and disables power management features, hardware acceleration, and third-party services. This suggests the issue is likely related to:

• Graphics driver power states
• Display power management settings
• Hardware acceleration features
• Background services interfering with display output

3. We do not recommend registry modifications as they can potentially cause system instability or additional issues. Instead, I'll provide safe Intel-specific settings and driver configurations after reviewing your diagnostic logs. Any necessary adjustments will be made through proper Intel graphics control panels and Windows display settings rather than direct registry edits.

4. Diagnostic logs needed: The complete list I provided earlier will give us the most comprehensive view.

Once I review these logs, I can provide targeted solutions including any necessary registry modifications or Intel-specific power management adjustments.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Zoned]

Thank you. Attached are all requested logs.

Current driver: 31.0.101.2125
Tested drivers: 30.0.101.2115, 30.0.101.1191, HP 27.20.100.9466 (all clean DDU installs)

External monitors tested: Generic HDMI & Dell USB-C monitors (both flicker)

Power settings: All Intel/Windows power saving features disabled

Exact reproduction steps:

1. Normal boot → flickering starts at Windows login (both displays)

2. Safe Mode boot → zero flickering

3. BIOS screens → no flickering

Key fact: Built-in screen alone flickers; external monitors optional for issue.

Attachments:

• DxDiag report

• Intel SSU logs

• Windows Event logs (during flickering)

• Intel Graphics Command Center diagnostic

[KennethB_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Thank you for your response. Please allow me some time to conduct a more thorough internal investigation to better understand the issue and identify the appropriate steps to take.

I will make sure to provide you with an update as soon as possible once I have more information to share.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Kenneth B.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[KennethB_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Apologies. Before we proceed with further investigation, could you please provide the SSU logs of your system? You can find instructions on How to get the Intel® System Support Utility Logs on Windows*

Looking forward to your response.

Best regards,

Kenneth B.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Zoned]

Hello Kenneth,

The Intel SSU logs are attached to this ticket as requested (Intel_SSU_Report.txt).

The report was generated with:

• System: HP EliteBook 830 G7, i5-10210U

• Scan categories: Graphics, Processor, Chipset, System

• Date: [Today's Date]

The issue remains:

• Constant screen flickering in normal Windows boot

• Zero flickering in Safe Mode

• Affects both built-in and external displays

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Thank you for providing the Intel SSU log file. I've received the report from your HP EliteBook 830 G7 with i5-10210U. I've noted your flickering issue occurs during normal boot but not in Safe Mode, affecting both displays.

I'll further investigate this issue using your SSU logs and get back to you with an update.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Please be advised that I am continuously working on this issue you've raised and would like to request the following steps and let me know the outcome:

• Download the latest OEM driver from their download page, version 11.7.5493.0 Rev.A (Select Windows 10, 22H2 and look under Graphics)
• Also download the older driver from Intel Download Center, versions: 31.0.101.2135 and 31.0.101.2134
• Then proceed with clean installation using DDU (in safe mode); try first with the OEM driver 11.7.5493.0 Rev.A , and if issue persists, try the same steps this time using 31.0.101.2135 and 31.0.101.2134 (testing one at a time) and let me know how it goes.

Looking forward to your update so I can continue with the process, if issue persists.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Zoned]

Re: Driver Testing Complete - Issue Persists

Thank you for the guidance. I have completed testing all three drivers as requested:

Testing Method for Each:

• DDU in Safe Mode → Clean driver install → Test normal boot vs Safe Mode

Results:

1. 1. HP OEM Driver 11.7.5493.0 Rev.A

• Normal boot: Flickering present
• Safe Mode: No flickering

1. 2. Intel Driver 31.0.101.2135

• Normal boot: Flickering present
• Safe Mode: No flickering

1. 3. Intel Driver 31.0.101.2134

• Normal boot: Flickering present
• Safe Mode: No flickering

Summary:

• All drivers exhibit identical behavior
• Issue unchanged: Flickering in normal Windows, zero flickering in Safe Mode
• Flickering affects both built-in display and external monitors
• No improvement with any tested driver

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Were you able to check the previous post? 

Let us know if you have any questions. 

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Zoned]

Hello JeanetteC,

Yes, I saw the previous message and completed the driver testing as requested.

Result: All three drivers (HP OEM 11.7.5493.0 and Intel 31.0.101.2135/2134) still cause flickering in normal Windows. Safe Mode continues to work perfectly with all.

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Thank you for sharing this update. We have recently released new driver, version 31.0.101.2140, kindly proceed testing this driver by uninstalling the current driver first, using DDU (in safe mode).

Let me know how it goes. If the issue persists, kindly submit new SSU Log file.

Looking forward to your reply.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Were you able to check the previous post? 

Let us know if you have any questions. 

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello Zoned,

Since I haven't received any response from you recently, I will go ahead and close this thread.

Should you need assistance in the future, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Sincerely,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Zoned]

Dear Jeanette,

Please accept my apologies for the delayed response. I had to travel with my mother for a medical procedure and was away for some time. Thank you for your patience.

I have now performed a clean uninstall of the graphics driver using DDU in Safe Mode and installed driver version 31.0.101.2140 as recommended. Unfortunately, the screen flickering issue still persists in normal Windows mode (it does not occur in Safe Mode).

Please advise on the next steps. I am ready to provide an updated SSU log file or run any additional diagnostics you recommend.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best regards