Both monitors flash off and on with dual monitors connected

Troubleshooting Dual Monitor Flickering Issues in Windows: A Guide for Gamers and Professionals

Experiencing display issues can be incredibly disruptive, especially when they involve multiple monitors. Recently, a user shared a problem where both monitors would intermittently flicker on and off when connected in a dual setup. This article explores the potential causes of such behavior and outlines effective troubleshooting strategies to resolve it.

Understanding the Issue

The problem began unexpectedly when, during gaming or streaming sessions, the secondary monitor would display a black screen while the primary remained active. The cursor stayed visible, but no other content was displayed. This blackout would last only moments before recovering, and the user could temporarily fix it by restarting the system.

Upon attempting to fix the issue by updating graphics drivers—specifically for a high-performance NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080—the situation worsened. Post-update, both monitors would flicker rapidly and unpredictably whenever both were connected. Notably, disconnecting one monitor would restore normal operation, indicating that the issue is tied to the multi-monitor configuration rather than the individual hardware components.

Common Causes of Dual Monitor Flickering

Several factors can contribute to dual monitor flickering or blackouts:

1. Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers: Incorrect or incompatible driver versions can cause display irregularities.
2. G-Sync and Adaptive Sync Settings: These technologies, while beneficial for smooth gameplay, sometimes conflict with monitor setups.
3. Display Configuration Conflicts: Misconfigured display settings can result in flickering or black screens.
4. Hardware or Cable Issues: Though less likely if disconnection resolves the problem, faulty cables or ports can sometimes cause instability.
5. Power Management and Refresh Rate Settings: Inconsistent or unsupported refresh rates can lead to flickering.

Effective Troubleshooting Steps

1. Roll Back or Update Graphics Drivers:
If the problem began after a driver update, consider reverting to a previous stable version. Use the Device Manager or graphics driver software to uninstall the affected drivers and install an earlier version. Conversely, ensure you are using the latest drivers compatible with your hardware by downloading directly from the manufacturer’s website.

2. Disable G-Sync or Adaptive Sync Temporarily:
As in the user’s experience, disabling G-Sync on the primary monitor can resolve flickering issues. This can be done via the NVIDIA Control Panel:

• Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
• Navigate to “Display” > “Set up G-SYNC.”
• Uncheck or disable G