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My external displays blink, flicker, or reset from time to time

Last Update: October 27th, 2026
Article ID: 1491665

In some cases when using computers running Windows, external displays connected to our DisplayLink based docking stations or graphics adapters may intermittently "blink" off and on again, flicker, or reset - moving active application windows to another display.

Common Causes

For Windows 10 and Windows 11 host computers, in some cases the cause of this behavior is out of date graphics processing unit (GPU) drivers. Most Windows computers can receive updated GPU drivers through the Microsoft Windows Update feature of Windows, however in some cases these drivers will not be the latest versions available from the GPU manufacturer. 

GPU manufacturers provide the latest graphics drivers from their websites, and in most cases the latest drivers provide better performance, security, and compatibility than older versions. 

Note, some Windows computers have two GPUs, in what is called a 'hybrid graphics' arrangement. The first GPU is integrated into the host computer's CPU and the second GPU is a discrete device. The purpose of hybrid graphics systems is to allow the host computer to chose between both GPUs as needs dictate. Speaking in general, integrated GPUs consume less power but may not be as performant as discrete GPUs. Discrete GPUs will be more performant than integrated GPUs, however will consume more power. For hybrid graphics systems, two GPU drivers may need to be updated. 

Determining your computer's GPU models

Most hardware manufacturer's provide a single unified driver package for a wide range of graphics controllers, however it is best practice to ensure the drivers are compatible with the hardware. We can look up the graphics controller through Windows "msinfo32.exe" System Information application:

  1. Open the Start Menu
  2. Search for "msinfo32" then select the best match "System Information App"
  3. Note the "Processor" model details in the "System Summary" section, as some graphics drivers are referenced by the processor model
  4. In the left pane, expand the section "System Summary > Components" and then select "Display"
  5. In the right pane note the value for the item "Name", this will be the graphics controller for discrete graphics controller

Updating the Graphics Drivers to the latest version

For systems with Intel Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)

  1. Using the information you gathered from the Windows System Information application, download the latest Intel GPU driver for your system from here --> https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/products/80939/graphics.html
  2. Double-click on the file downloaded from step #1 to start the installation process, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 
  3. If there is an error message while updating the graphics drivers with regard to an "OEM" or "System Manufacturer's" driver or that these drivers are incompatible with the computer, Intel provides additional details and steps to remove OEM or legacy drivers from the system here --> https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000056629/graphics-drivers.html
  4. After the GPU driver installation is complete, restart the computer. 

For systems with NVIDIA Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)

  1. Using the information you gathered from the Windows System Information application, download the latest Nvidia GPU driver for your system from here --> https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/
  2. Double-click on the file downloaded from step #1 to start the installation process, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 
  3. After the GPU driver installation is complete, restart the computer. 

For systems with AMD Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)

  1. Using the information you gathered from the Windows System Information application, download the latest AMD GPU driver for your system from here --> https://www.amd.com/en/support/download/drivers.html
  2. Double-click on the file downloaded from step #1 to start the installation process, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 
  3. After the GPU driver installation is complete, restart the computer. 

Applicable To

Windows 10 or Windows 11 systems using Plugable DisplayLink based docking station or graphics adapter products.