Samsung Galaxy screen flickering: fixes in order

Quick answer: Start by checking for screen damage and whether flickering happens only in the camera, one app, or while charging. Then try the matching checks below. Display options vary by Galaxy model; flickering in Safe mode needs further diagnosis, not an automatic factory reset.

Match the guide to your phone

Open Settings, then About phone, and note the model name and model number. Under Software information, note the One UI and Android versions. Menu labels can change with model, carrier and software. You do not need to share your IMEI, serial number or account password here.

Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra are different models. Do not assume a setting shown on one exists on another. Samsung's S23-series manual describes Motion smoothness and Screen resolution, but also warns that features vary by model. If a menu is absent, skip that check; do not install an app to unlock it. The model name and software version are more useful than guessing from the appearance of the phone.

Evidence: manufacturer-documented checks, reviewed November 8, 2026. This page does not claim hands-on verification of every model or software version. The linked video's percentage success claim has not been independently verified.

Video not loading? Open the video on YouTube. It may not match your exact model; check the written guidance and device scope before following it.

Choose the matching symptom first

Cracks or physical damage: arrange an inspection with Samsung support. Repeated display-setting changes are not a repair for physical damage.
Bands only in the camera preview or recorded video: lights and camera shutter speed can interact. Try a different light source or turn off Super steady, if enabled. Samsung also suggests a slower shutter speed in Pro Video. Check the Home screen afterward; camera-only bands are a different symptom from a display that flickers everywhere.
Only during charging: disconnect the charger and compare. If needed, test a known-good, compatible charger and cable. Stop using damaged accessories.
Only inside one app: note its name and version, update it, and compare with Settings or the Home screen. If those stay stable, focus on that app before changing the whole phone.
Across several screens: follow the checks below, stopping when you have a repeatable improvement.

The checks, in order

1Restart and repeat the same check

Open the power menu and select Restart. If the phone is frozen, Samsung documents holding Side and Volume down together for more than seven seconds until it restarts. Release when it restarts; this is not a factory reset.

Check: return to the screen where the problem appeared. Note whether the flicker returns immediately or only after opening a particular app. A brief improvement alone does not identify the cause.

2Install available updates

Open Settings, then Software update or System updates. Choose Download and install, Check for updates, or the update-check option shown on your version. Check app updates in the Play Store too.

Check: record which updates were actually installed, then repeat the same task. If no update is offered, continue; do not assume a promised future fix is already installed.

3Compare with Adaptive brightness off

Under Settings, then Display, turn Adaptive brightness off. Choose a comfortable brightness manually. If the symptom occurs only at very low brightness, compare at a higher comfortable level.

Check: use the same screen and lighting. If the flicker stops, record the setting that helped. You can restore your previous brightness preference; do not describe this observation as proof that the display is undamaged.

4Compare refresh-rate settings, if available

Open Settings, Display, then Motion smoothness. Note the current choice, select Standard, and apply it if prompted. Samsung's manual describes Standard as a battery-saving refresh-rate option; it does not establish a universal flicker cure.

Check: repeat the same scrolling or app action. If nothing improves, restore your previous choice. If Motion smoothness is missing, move on.

If Settings, Display, Screen resolution is available, note the current value and try a lower available option. Save unfinished app work first: Samsung's manual says changing resolution may close running apps.

Check: repeat the affected task. Restore the previous value if the change makes no difference. A missing resolution menu is not itself a fault.

6Use Safe mode to narrow the cause

Open the power menu; on supported Galaxy models, hold Side and Volume down until the power menu appears, then release. Touch and hold Power off, then select Safe mode. Confirm the Safe mode label appears. Downloaded apps are temporarily disabled.

Check: compare a built-in screen where you previously saw flickering. If the problem disappears, a downloaded app may be involved. Before uninstalling a recent app, protect any local data it holds; remove one suspect at a time and retest after a normal restart.

Samsung says persistent flickering in Safe mode is likely hardware-related, so contact Samsung support. This is a useful clue, not a confirmed diagnosis. Restart normally to leave Safe mode.

When to stop and get support

Stop the sequence if the display is damaged, becomes difficult to use, or the checks do not produce a stable improvement. Use Samsung support for diagnosis and model-specific repair options. Back up accessible data before service. A factory reset is not a required step in this guide.

For a useful support handoff, record your model, One UI version, when the symptom started, whether it happens while unplugged, and the Safe mode result. Keep a short before/after note for each setting. Change one thing at a time so you can explain which change mattered.

What changed in this guide

November 8, 2026: added symptom routing, model checks and expected-result checkpoints; removed the claim that every listed display option exists on the S23; clarified the limits of Safe mode and the video's unverified success rate.

What to tell support

Keep a short record of your exact device model, software or app version, the symptom or error text, and which steps you tried. Note what changed after each step. You can print this page for reference.

Do not include passwords, recovery codes or private account details in public comments.

Sources

Video by FixIt Mobile on YouTube. See the linked sources for current manufacturer guidance. Menu names and available features can vary by model and software version. How we check fixes.