Laptop screen randomly flickers black (Nitro 5 model AN517-52-52T3)

At times my Nitro 5 randomly flickers black, sometimes on only part of the screen. It seems to happen while and after I have something using the Nvidia GPU when I switch to something on the Intel GPU. In other words the screen flickers when I'm using Word or a browser, but not on the program using the Nvidia, and it continues after I shut down that program. There might be other situations but I've noticed those most. According to Windows the drivers are up to date. Also I've noticed that 8-9 programs are using the Nvidia GPU, I have no idea what or why, and I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem.

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christy1

Gallimaufry
Try reinstalling the drivers->>> press windows key + X. ->>> go to device manager. right click on both NVidia and Intel drivers and uninstall it . dont delete the drivers. just uninstall and restart the unit. check after that.
Image result for windows X

Gallimaufry

No luck, unfortunately, the flickering reappeared after a couple minutes of having something on the Nvidia GPU.

christy1

Gallimaufry said:

No luck, unfortunately, the flickering reappeared after a couple minutes of having something on the Nvidia GPU.

try to reset the unit.
or
Enter the Snid on the link and try to update the firmware.
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

sri369

Gallimaufry said:

At times my Nitro 5 randomly flickers black, sometimes on only part of the screen. It seems to happen while and after I have something using the Nvidia GPU when I switch to something on the Intel GPU. In other words the screen flickers when I'm using Word or a browser, but not on the program using the Nvidia, and it continues after I shut down that program. There might be other situations but I've noticed those most. According to Windows the drivers are up to date. Also I've noticed that 8-9 programs are using the Nvidia GPU, I have no idea what or why, and I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem.

I notice this when switching between full screen in browser on sites like youtube. Screen goes blank and then comes up. This seems more like when switching between GPUs.
I am always connected to an external monitor, if that helps.

Gallimaufry

christy1 said:
try to reset the unit.
or
Enter the Snid on the link and try to update the firmware.
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

I'm not sure what resetting involves. There are six items listed under firmware, do I need to do all or just some? They are: (1) Update Insyde solution for 20H2. Update Microcode. (2) Update panel brightness table. (3) Improve some i7 CPU compatibility issue. (4) Fix crisis update process stop issue. (5) Enhance features support for factory process. Update ME FW 14.0.37.1165 for 20H1. Update Insyde solution CVE-2020-5955/CVE-2020-5954/CVE-2020-5951 for 20H1. (6) Update ME FW 14.0.37.1165 for 20H1. Update Insyde solution CVE-2020-5955/CVE-2020-5954/CVE-2020-5951 for 20H1. (I'm puzzled why #3 is there since the CPU is an i5, so I think using it could be a mistake.)

Gallimaufry

sri369 said:

Gallimaufry said:

At times my Nitro 5 randomly flickers black, sometimes on only part of the screen. It seems to happen while and after I have something using the Nvidia GPU when I switch to something on the Intel GPU. In other words the screen flickers when I'm using Word or a browser, but not on the program using the Nvidia, and it continues after I shut down that program. There might be other situations but I've noticed those most. According to Windows the drivers are up to date. Also I've noticed that 8-9 programs are using the Nvidia GPU, I have no idea what or why, and I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem.

I notice this when switching between full screen in browser on sites like youtube. Screen goes blank and then comes up. This seems more like when switching between GPUs.
I am always connected to an external monitor, if that helps.

That does sound similar, if we find a solution for me, maybe it'll work for you.

christy1

Gallimaufry said:

christy1 said:
try to reset the unit.
or
Enter the Snid on the link and try to update the firmware.
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

I'm not sure what resetting involves. There are six items listed under firmware, do I need to do all or just some? They are: (1) Update Insyde solution for 20H2. Update Microcode. (2) Update panel brightness table. (3) Improve some i7 CPU compatibility issue. (4) Fix crisis update process stop issue. (5) Enhance features support for factory process. Update ME FW 14.0.37.1165 for 20H1. Update Insyde solution CVE-2020-5955/CVE-2020-5954/CVE-2020-5951 for 20H1. (6) Update ME FW 14.0.37.1165 for 20H1. Update Insyde solution CVE-2020-5955/CVE-2020-5954/CVE-2020-5951 for 20H1. (I'm puzzled why #3 is there since the CPU is an i5, so I think using it could be a mistake.)

by resetting the unit we might get a solution if its software issue. just a complete reinstallation of the OS.
>>> regarding the bios update. update the latest one alone, that should help.

sri369

Gallimaufry said:

That does sound similar, if we find a solution for me, maybe it'll work for you.

This has happened on multiple laptops for me, that have both integrated and dedicated graphics cards. This happens only when switching between full screen mode and normal mode when watching videos and such. And also considering i am always on external monitor, i don't bother much about this. I consider it more like a "normal thing" and so don't bother. It goes black for a moment and then comes back - looks like the graphics card is momentarily blocking display output.
I am thinking this is cos i have all my browsers set to use only integrated video card and the HDMI output comes via dedicated card.

Gallimaufry

christy1 said:

Gallimaufry said:

christy1 said:
try to reset the unit.
or
Enter the Snid on the link and try to update the firmware.
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

I'm not sure what resetting involves. There are six items listed under firmware, do I need to do all or just some? They are: (1) Update Insyde solution for 20H2. Update Microcode. (2) Update panel brightness table. (3) Improve some i7 CPU compatibility issue. (4) Fix crisis update process stop issue. (5) Enhance features support for factory process. Update ME FW 14.0.37.1165 for 20H1. Update Insyde solution CVE-2020-5955/CVE-2020-5954/CVE-2020-5951 for 20H1. (6) Update ME FW 14.0.37.1165 for 20H1. Update Insyde solution CVE-2020-5955/CVE-2020-5954/CVE-2020-5951 for 20H1. (I'm puzzled why #3 is there since the CPU is an i5, so I think using it could be a mistake.)

by resetting the unit we might get a solution if its software issue. just a complete reinstallation of the OS.
>>> regarding the bios update. update the latest one alone, that should help.

I downloaded and tried to install the update, but apparently the BIOS is already current so the updater didn't proceed. (The laptop is only about a month and a half old.)

By resetting, do you mean I should just reinstall Win 10 (sometimes called "refreshing"), or do a full reset, which basically wipes my computer and starts over?

christy1

Gallimaufry said:

christy1 said:

Gallimaufry said:

christy1 said:
try to reset the unit.
or
Enter the Snid on the link and try to update the firmware.
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

I'm not sure what resetting involves. There are six items listed under firmware, do I need to do all or just some? They are: (1) Update Insyde solution for 20H2. Update Microcode. (2) Update panel brightness table. (3) Improve some i7 CPU compatibility issue. (4) Fix crisis update process stop issue. (5) Enhance features support for factory process. Update ME FW 14.0.37.1165 for 20H1. Update Insyde solution CVE-2020-5955/CVE-2020-5954/CVE-2020-5951 for 20H1. (6) Update ME FW 14.0.37.1165 for 20H1. Update Insyde solution CVE-2020-5955/CVE-2020-5954/CVE-2020-5951 for 20H1. (I'm puzzled why #3 is there since the CPU is an i5, so I think using it could be a mistake.)

by resetting the unit we might get a solution if its software issue. just a complete reinstallation of the OS.
>>> regarding the bios update. update the latest one alone, that should help.

I downloaded and tried to install the update, but apparently the BIOS is already current so the updater didn't proceed. (The laptop is only about a month and a half old.)

By resetting, do you mean I should just reinstall Win 10 (sometimes called "refreshing"), or do a full reset, which basically wipes my computer and starts over?

exactly do a full reset not a refresh. Wipe all data . after the reset >>> update the unit and then check it. if its under the warranty contact acer support after the reset so they can help for service.

Gallimaufry

christy1 said:

exactly do a full reset not a refresh. Wipe all data . after the reset >>> update the unit and then check it. if its under the warranty contact acer support after the reset so they can help for service.

That's a pretty drastic step, at least in my situation. Setting up this computer from scratch in early January basically took two days since I also use it for work, and I can't use cloning because that would just reinstate whatever the problem is, so it would again take two days till I'm fully back on my feet, with no guarantee it'll solve the issue. In my past experience, resetting the computer to that extent has never fixed any problems, in fact it was the manufacturer's own settings. So I avoid that approach. I'll see if anyone using the same software has encountered a similar problem. If that doesn't turn anything up, then I'll think about what to do. But I appreciate your effort to find a solution.

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