How to fix screen flashing off/on

[AMusc2]

Hi, 

Setup

NUC7i7BNHXG

Memory: 8 Gb ddr4-2400 @2133 MHz / 32 GB Optane 

2 TB SATA 3 

Iris graphics

Win 10 home x64

Dell 27" U2718Q 

My screen started flashing off for a few seconds, then coming back on. 

It worked great for several months before that.

Seems to happen more often when running MS Edge.

Did the following troubleshooting, with no change in behavior:

- reinstalled windows from scratch with all updates

- reinstalled all NUC drivers through the Intel Driver & Support Assistant - all up to date

- changed the HDMI cable

- same Dell display connected to a Lenovo laptop doesn't have the issue

- same NUC connected to a HP2159m screen doesn't have the issue 

Appreciate any help. Thanks.

[DHoga2]

I am not from Intel but I have similar NUC8i7 and recently got a 4K monitor (not same as yours but again similar). I was encountering some brief flashes sometimes using the HDMI interface. I do not seem to be able to update my graphics driver from 7529 (later driver versions give me a message at the beginning of setup that mine is not validated hardware so it won't proceed). Rather than trying down a path of uninstalling driver and trying to see if I could install later driver, I decided to try moving away from HDMI. I got a $19.99 adapter which plugs into the NUC's USB C port and the other side has full-sized DisplayPort. I then plugged a full-sized DisplayPort cable that came with my monitor to the monitor's DisplayPort. That was around 24 hours ago and I have not noticed any flashes since then.

I don't know whether your Lenovo is capable of 4K 60Hz but the HP2159m isn't. Perhaps there is something wrong when trying that high rate (18.2Gbps?) over HDMI. Another troubleshooting thing you could try is temporarily change the display refresh rate to 30p, see if that stops the flashes. Sorry these are just ideas from my similar experience, not identical equipment and no exact solution.

[AMusc2]

Hi,

I tried a direct USB-C to large DP display input cable I had lying around... same flashing.

Interestingly, lowering the refresh rate to 30Hz seems to have resolved the issue.

Time will tell as my NUC-Dell combination worked fine for months before the issue started.

Appreciate your help, thanks!

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello AMusc2,

We would like to have more information about your system configuration. 

Please run the Intel® System Support Utility to scan your unit and attach the report to this thread.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello AMusc2,

If you need further assistance, please let us know. We will be glad to help you.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[AMusc2]

Hi Wanner,

The system support utility text file is attached to this message.

Additionally, lowering the refresh rate didn't resolve the issue. If anything, it only diminished the occurrence of flashing on/off somewhat.

Please let me know what you find.

Thanks

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello AMusc2,

Thank you for the update.

The Intel®DSA may have installed a generic graphics driver. We recommend that you use drivers that are customized for Intel NUCs and test the performance of the unit.

Please follow these steps to perform a clean installation of the graphics driver. Perform these steps and let us know if the issue persists.

1. Download the driver:

Graphics driver version: 24.20.100.6286

2. Disconnect from the Internet.

3. Uninstall any existing DCH Graphics driver via Start > Settings > Apps & Features.

4. Uninstall the (DCH) Intel® Graphics Control Panel via Start > Settings > Apps & Features.

5. Restart the computer.

6. In Device Manager > Right-click on "Intel® HD Graphics".

If "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" is already listed skip to step#10.

7. Select "Uninstall device".

8. Enable the option "Delete the driver software for this device" and click "Uninstall".

9. Restart the computer.

This should delete any non-DCH driver stored on Windows driver repository. Repeat steps #6 through #9 until "Intel® HD Graphics" changes to "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter")

10. Install the driver recommended in step #1

11. Restart the computer.

12. Reconnect to the Internet.

Also, try updating the HDMI firmware for testing purposes:

• HDMI Firmware Update Tool for NUC7i3BN, NUC7i5BN, NUC7i7BN Version: 1.77.93
• User Guide

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician.

[AMusc2]

Hi Wanner,

It appears the driver update resolved the issue. I've had it running today for several hours without issue. Thank you for that.

The HDMI firmware update tool failed when I ran it with a message that there was no connection. At this point, I'm not concerned about this if the display issue is resolved. Please let me know if it makes sense not to push that any further.

Also, the monitor issue did come up after months without any problems with screen flashing. How can I prevent inadvertently doing that again as it was likely an automatic or unintentional driver update that caused the issue in the first place?

Thanks

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello AMusc2,

Thank you for letting us know that the screen flickering was fixed.

If you are not experiencing other screen or graphics issues, then it is fine not to try to update the HDMI firmware.

Based on the description of the issue, the Intel® DSA may have installed a generic driver, causing the screen flickering to start happening. If the Intel® DSA prompts you to install a generic graphics driver, try not to install it.

For Intel® NUC products, we recommend using the customized drivers available at https://downloadcenter.intel.com/

We will close this thread. If your unit experiences other issues in the future, please create a new thread. We will be glad to help you.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician