Ultra 7 155H Screen Flicker

[OnurKarabulut88]

I am experiencing a brightness flickering issue on my MSI STEALTH 14 AI STUDIO A1VFG-217XTR when using the Intel Arc graphics unit. The issue is particularly noticeable when the screen brightness is low. The brightness slightly fluctuates, dimming and brightening intermittently. When I switch to discrete graphics mode, enabling the NVIDIA RTX 4060, the issue disappears. The flickering and brightness fluctuations only occur when the Intel GPU is active. It is somewhat difficult to describe, but especially in dark scenes, the screen behaves as if it has a "heartbeat effect," where the brightness subtly increases and decreases, causing a flickering sensation. I have tried various solutions, including using OEM drivers, WHQL-certified drivers, and beta drivers, as well as adjusting multiple settings, but the issue persists. Is there any known solution or workaround for this problem?

[Earl_Intel]

Hi OnurKarabulut88,

Thank you for posting in the communities!

Try following this article regarding for "how to Fix a Flickering Screen with Intel Graphics"

• If the flickering started after a change in configuration, software installation, update, etc., undo those changes and check if the issue occurs again. This will help isolate the root cause.
• Update the Intel graphics driver:
  • For a laptop: Check with the manufacturer to install recommended drivers on your system. If this does not solve the issue, perform a Clean Installation of the Intel Graphics driver.
  • For desktop: Find the most up-to-date driver for your system on Download Center (labeled as Latest), or run the Intel® Driver and Support Assistant to automatically detect what device you have and install the latest driver. For more information on how to update your Intel driver, refer to How to Install an Intel® Graphics Driver in Windows® 10 & Windows 11*
  • You can also try installing the latest driver using Windows safe mode.
• Make sure that the operating system is up to date:

1. Click the Start button.
2. Search for Windows Update.
3. Click Check for Updates and run all pertinent updates.

• In the case of a multi-monitor set up, check if the issue happens when only one display is in operation. For laptops, check if this happens to only the integrated panel. 
• If possible, try different monitors and display cables. Use straight connections with no video adapters/dongles in between.
• If the issue is with the VGA cable, use a different video output, such as HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort*, depending on the motherboard/laptop output options and monitor input options.
• Check if the flickering issue happens inside the BIOS configuration screen (To access the BIOS, check with the motherboard/laptop manufacturer).
  • If the issue happens in the BIOS configuration screen, it could be a processor issue. Try using the processor on a different known working and compatible system (applies only on Intel® boxed processors). If the issue persists, contact Intel Customer Support.
  • If you have a laptop and the issue is shown on the BIOS, contact the manufacturer.
• For laptops: Disable the Panel Self Refresh setting in the Intel Graphics Command Center by following the steps in How to Enable and Disable Panel Self Refresh.

1. On your IGCC program, click Displays and lower the resolution to the next setting.
2. Change the refresh rate to a lower setting.
3. Put the system on full power.

• If you do not have access to the Intel Graphics Command Center, you can change the refresh rate to a lower setting using Windows Advance Display Settings

1. Right-click the desktop screen and select display settings
2. Scroll down and press on Advance Display Settings
3. Choose a native built-in display monitor (If laptop)
4. Under Refresh rate, Change the refresh rate to a lower setting.

Source link: How to Fix a Flickering Screen with Intel® Graphics

• Can you confirm if using an external monitor, does the issue persists?
• Have you tried accessing the BIOS and check if the flickering issue still happen on the BIOS?

Kindly give us an update regarding to the issue.

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Andrea401]

Hi, i have the same identical problem.

I tried in BIOS and everything seems OK.

Live linux distro and everything OK

The problem raise with or without and external monitor connected.

Both at 60Hz and 144Hz refresh rate.

Worst in battery mode.

With or without VRR enabled.

Tanks a lot.

[Andrea401]

Hi, incredible... I have the same identical issue!

Ultra 7 155h and RTX 4060 on MSI Cyborg pc, bought last week.

For me in the BIOS windows everything its ok, also using a Live session of KUBUNTU.

My fault (probably) was the removing of OEM Intel graphic drivers for the latest version taken from INTEL site.

I will try removing Intel with DDU and install the OEM versione year 2023 older.... i hope.

[Andrea401]

Just a question... how can you force the system to use RTX4060 instead of Arc?

[OnurKarabulut88]

You can adjust it through MSI Center; there are no issues when the device runs with the NVIDIA card. Clearly, there is a problem related to Intel Arc. This issue does not occur in the BIOS. The product was sent for service, but no solution was provided, and it was returned to me. Hopefully, Intel will fix the problem.

[Andrea401]

Thank you very very much for the information. 

[Tnhem]

Hi, I also have the same exact problem with the same exact computer, MSI STEALTH 14 AI STUDIO A1VFG-217XTR, It's definetely an issue with Intel Arc drivers. A dirty workaround i found to somewhat fix this problem is; when computer first boots up, open "Intel Graphics Software" and then close it and let it stay in your taskbar. For some reason this fixes the screen flickering issue until i re-open the app again. Another problem is when i update the drivers to latest intel arc drivers screen doesn't work at all and need to connect an external monitor to remove the driver and install the MSI's own customized Intel Arc driver.

I also disabled the Panel Self Refresh fuction using registry editor since it's not available to be disabled using the intel graphics app and also Display Power Saving Technology also disabled using registry editor but these didn't fix the issues. 

[OnurKarabulut88]

Yes, I have also tried the options you mentioned, but the registry adjustment does not solve the problem. It’s quite frustrating. The old and new drivers don’t fix the issue either. Let’s see when Intel will finally resolve this problem.

[Earl_Intel]

Hi OnurKarabulut88,

Thank you for sharing this update with us.

No worries, I will further investigate this internally with my team and will check for a better solution, I'll provide you guys an update on this thread as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Andrea401]

[SOLVED]

Hi everybody, the problem seems solved:

installed OEM Arc Drivers downloaded from MSI site (the date "2023" displayed is wrong, actually the driver is really the latest)

installed checking the option to remove the old drivers before installing the new ones.

After that in Windows Update arrived an update just for Intel Graphic Adapter (???)

After that.... everything OK (till yesterday !!).

Thanks all.

[Tnhem]

Hi, glad to hear that your issue is fixed on your laptop. Is it possible to share the OEM driver you installed and the windows update current driver version you have installed? Issue still exists on my Stealth 14. Appreciate the feedback. 

[Andrea401]

MSI Italy | MSI Italy

[Andrea401]

[OnurKarabulut88]

I tried the latest driver on the site, as well as Intel version 32.0.101.6559, but unfortunately, the problem persists

[Earl_Intel]

Hello Onurkarabulut88,

Thank you for patiently waiting.

Upon checking, based on the information that you provided, the issue might be related to the operating system. However, I need to gather more details to investigate further.

• You mentioned before that sent your system to a service center. Could you please provide details on the steps the service center took?
• Does the issue occur when the power adapter/charger is connected or disconnected from the computer?
• Have you already contacted MSI regarding this matter?
• Have you already used graphics driver version 31.0.101.5333 from the MSI website?
  • Driver link: MSI Global - The Leading Brand in High-end Gaming & Professional Creation | MSI Global - The Leading Brand in High-end Gaming & Professional Creation

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[OnurKarabulut88]

Hello,

My device has returned from the service center. The service noted that there is no issue with the product and advised me to keep my drivers up to date.

The issue occurs regardless of whether the power adapter is connected or not. The refresh rate (60Hz/120Hz) does not make a difference; the problem only happens when the ARC graphics card is active. When the NVIDIA card is enabled and the system is taken out of hybrid mode, the issue disappears.

I have tried the driver available on the MSI website as well as Intel's last five driver versions, but unfortunately, the screen flickering issue persists with all of them.

[Earl_Intel]

Hi Onurkarabulut88,

Thanks for sharing this information.

Noted on this, I'll further check on this and provide you an update on this thread as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[OnurKarabulut88]

Thank you for your interest. I have no doubt that Intel will fix this in the next update.

[OnurKarabulut88]

I temporarily solved the issue this way. The problem originates from two Intel features, and Intel needs to address this in order to provide a proper solution.

Steps:
Step 1: Enter the BIOS.
Step 2: Use the key combination Right Ctrl + Right Shift + Left Alt + F2 to access the hidden MSI settings.
Step 3: Under Advanced \ IGD VBT Settings, disable the following features:

Intel Display Refresh Rate (DRRS)
Dynamic Media Refresh Rate (DMRRS)
This solution will resolve the screen flickering issue and fix the inconsistent backlight illumination problem in dark scenes.

[RandyT_Intel]

Hi Onurkarabulut88,

Thank you for your recent update regarding the temporary fix you applied to the issue. We appreciate your proactive approach and are here to assist you further. I will share this information with our team so we can investigate it more thoroughly. By the way, has the issue reoccurred, or is it still resolved?

Best regards,

Randy T.

Intel Customer Support Technician