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Intel HD Graphics 4400 SCREEN FLICKERS Only When ON BATTERY @ REFRESH RATE 60Hz

FBirr
Novice
12,442 Views

Dear Intel Support Team,

Like many other owners of Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro (20266 / 80AY) I have been living with this Screen Flicker issue since I bought my computer 3 years ago. The issue also affects other vendor's models like HP, Sony, and Dell and it's now isolated, well documented (with workaround) and I hope it will be fixed in a next driver update for Intel HD Graphics 4400.

It's definitely a very old complaint in the https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Yoga-Series-Notebooks/Yoga-2-Pro-Screen-Flickering-and-Screen-Blanking/td-p/1331137 Lenovo Forum with more than 114,330 views.

Please push Intel Engineering Team to fix it ASAP.

1) As described in the /thread/77761 guidelines for Graphics questions here is further information about the issue and my specific device:

Category

Questions

Answers (N/A if not applicable)

Description

Provide a detailed description of the issue

Only when ON BATTERY @ 3200 X 1800 and REFRESH RATE 60Hz the screen will be fine for awhile, and then it will suddenly start flickering, turning black for a second or two, then the screen coming back on briefly, then back off, on and on for as long as 60 seconds.

WORKAROUND (Patch): Setting Refresh Rate to 48Hz "when on battery" the flicker will never happen.

NOTE: When plugged on charging the screen flicker will never happen on 60Hz or 48Hz.

- Lenovo Forum (How To Workaround Y2P's Screen Flicker Issue)

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Yoga-Series-Notebooks/Yoga-2-pro-Worst-purchase-of-my-life/m-p/3927838%23M59686 https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Yoga-Series-Notebooks/Yoga-2-pro-Worst-purchase-of-my-life/m-p/3927838# M59686

- My Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro Full Setup Guide

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Yoga-Series-Notebooks/Yoga-2-Pro-20266-80AY-Lenovo-devices-tested-for-Windows-10/m-p/3888988%23M58274 https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Yoga-Series-Notebooks/Yoga-2-Pro-20266-80AY-Lenovo-devices-tested-for-Windows-10/m-p/3888988# M58274

Please place an X to the right of the option showing how often you see this issue using specific steps. (Ex: 'Every fe...

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19 Replies
idata
Employee
4,272 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

Thank you for contacting Intel Communities Support.

 

 

I will be glad to assist you today.

 

 

Even though the flickering issues you are having may be related to the Intel HD Graphics, we would like you to follow the steps below to troubleshoot your system.

 

 

1. Please load Windows in Safe Mode to check the performance of your system and determine whether the latest Intel HD drivers installed may be the cause of the problem.

 

 

2. You can also roll back the Intel HD Graphics driver. You can find the versions below.

 

 

- Version: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27414/Beta-Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-10-and-Windows-7-8-1-15-40- 15.40.26.4474 Date: 6/24/2016

 

- Version: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26984/Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-40- 15.40.36.4703 (Previously Released) Date: 6/23/2017

 

- Version: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26682/Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-40- 15.40.34.4624 (Previously Released) Date: 3/30/2017

 

 

Please be aware that the driver I am sharing with you is a generic driver from Intel and some features might not be available for your system.

 

 

3. Please check how the power options are configured. We recommend you to increase the minimum processor state to 25% in the Advanced Settings in your plan settings.

 

If possible, please send us a picture of the power options configuration.

 

 

4. Finally, try using the latest drivers provided by your system manufacturer.

 

 

Feel free the share the results whenever you are ready.

 

 

Regards,

 

Wanner G.

 

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FBirr
Novice
4,274 Views

Hi Wanner G.

First of all thank you for reply.

Answering your questions.

1) The current driver (by Intel) 20.19.15.4835 version is very reliable and the best already available so far. It isn't the source of the flicker issue.

2) As detailed in the above table I have had this issue since I bought my Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro (20266) 3 years ago. During this time I tested ALL drivers (from Lenovo and Intel) without success.

NOTE: As you can confirm in the link below the versions you suggested have already been tested almost a year ago.

/thread/111349 https://communities.intel.com/thread/111349

3) Done, but didn't fixed the flicker. It's ONLY happens when ON BATTERY @ 60Hz

4) As you may have read in # 2 above I had already answered this same question earlier. The flicker does not occur only in this model from Lenovo (it's Intel HD Graphics 4400 related).

How can we handle it?

Regards,

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idata
Employee
4,274 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

Thank you for your prompt response.

 

 

We are replicating your system issue to get a better understanding and provide an appropriate answer. I will be back to you soon.

 

 

Wanner G.

 

 

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idata
Employee
4,274 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

According to all the information available and the feedback users have provided since 2014, drivers may not be the source of the screen flickering.

 

As I already stated above, Intel HD graphics drivers are generic and some features may not be available for your system. Having said that, we really need to consider hardware to be the cause of the screen flickering.

 

 

In addition, to continue gathering information about your system, please go into your Graphics Properties and send me a picture of the 3D settings.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Wanner G.

 

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FBirr
Novice
4,273 Views

Hi Wanner G,

Thanks for your assistance.

 

Follow Intel Graphics Properties \ 3D Current Settings Screenshot

 

One more input:

 

Yoga 2 Pro was made with Samsung LTN133YL01-L01 Local Flat Panel (build-in monitor) that support 3200 x 1800 @ 60Hz and 3200 x 1800 @ 48Hz

All Intel Core 4500U (Graphics 4400) has "Intel SDRRS Technology" that automatically lowers the screen refresh rate when ON BATTERY to save energy.

 

Could a BUG in this GPU feature be responsible for the screen flicker issue when on battery at 60Hz?

 

(*) Fail when switch 60Hz to lower 48Hz refresh rate

Reference, "Mobile 4th Generation Intel Core Processor Family, Mobile Intel Pentium Processor Family, and Mobile Intel Celeron Processor Family" (July 2014) - Order No. 329001-007 - Page 58, https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/datasheets/4th-gen-core-family-mobile-u-y-processor-lines-vol-1-datasheet.pdf https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/datasheets/4th-gen-core-family-mobile-u-y-processor-lines-vol-1-datasheet.pdf

How can we investigate it further?

Regards,

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idata
Employee
4,275 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

Thank you for your response.

 

 

Please follow the steps below and let us know if the screen flickering issues remain when on battery at the resolution and refresh rate in question:

 

 

1. Under 3D settings > General Settings, please select Performance.

 

2. Then, under 3D settings > General Settings, please select Quality.

 

3. After that, under 3D settings > Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing, please select Override Application Settings.

 

 

Also, I am doing more in-depth research to know whether a bug in the GPU feature described above may be responsible for the screen flickering when on battery at 60 Hz. I will keep you updated.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Wanner G.

 

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FBirr
Novice
4,275 Views

Hello Wanner G,

If I understand correctly you want that I to test three new scenarios ON BATTERY @ 60Hz:

1) Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ General Settings

 

2) Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ General Settings

 

3) Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ General Settings AND

Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing

I haven't tested any of them before so I can take up to three work days to get a reliable result to share.

Regards,

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idata
Employee
4,275 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

By following the steps described above, we can get useful information about your flickering issues. Feel free to test the performance of your computer and share the results with me when you consider it appropriate.

 

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

Wanner G.
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FBirr
Novice
4,275 Views

Hi Wanner G,

As agreed I did all the tests ON BATTERY @ 60Hz in each one of the three scenarios. Follow the results:

1) Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ General Settings

 

- Low image quality.

 

- Low FPS.

 

- Processing CPU (Moderate), GPU (Moderate).

 

- I didn't notice the impact on battery energy consumption.

 

========================================================================

 

- Didn't fix the FLICKER issue.

 

- FLICKER happened on the first day of use, duration 5 seconds. (Up Time 07 hours, 50 minutes / Battery 58%).

 

- None App opened or in use.

 

- Didn't logged any error in Event Viewer.

 

2) Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ General Settings

 

- High image quality.

 

- High FPS.

 

- Processing CPU (Moderate), GPU (Moderate).

 

- I didn't notice the impact on battery energy consumption.

 

========================================================================

 

- Didn't fix the FLICKER issue.

 

- FLICKER happened on the first day of use, duration 15 seconds. (Up Time 04 hours, 20 minutes / Battery 52%).

 

- Task Manager and Spotify in use.

 

- Didn't logged any error in Event Viewer.

3) Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ General Settings AND

 

Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing

 

- High image quality.

 

- High FPS.

 

- Huge anti-aliasing improvements.

 

- Processing CPU (Lower), GPU (Higher).

 

- The battery energy consumption increase 15%

 

========================================================================

 

- Didn't fix the FLICKER issue.

 

- FLICKER happened on the second day of use, duration 20 seconds. (Up Time 00 hours, 20 minutes / Battery 88%).

 

- Edge in use.

 

- Didn't logged any error in Event Viewer.

 

References:

 

New Features - Control Panel (OLD Driver) - https://downloadmirror.intel.com/24245/eng/ReleaseNotes_GFX_15_36_3907.pdf https://downloadmirror.intel.com/24245/eng/ReleaseNotes_GFX_15_36_3907.pdf

 

Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing (CMAA), March 2014 Update - https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/conservative-morphological-anti-aliasing-cmaa-update https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/conservative-morphological-anti-aliasing-cmaa-update

"CONCLUSIONS"

 

- FLICKER isn't related with "Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ General Settings" parameters.

 

- FLICKER isn't related with "Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ 3D \ Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing" parameters.

- FLICKER isn't related with "Intel HD Graphics Control Panel \ Power \ On Battery \ Panel Self-Refresh" parameters.

 

- FLICKER isn't related with any specific application.

- FLICKER isn't related with screen brightness

 

- FLICKER isn't related with Windows (OS) version (or build).

- FLICKER isn't related (or fixed) with VGA driver version (from Intel or Lenovo).

 

- FLICKER isn't related with battery charge level (%).

 

- FLICKER 'ONLY' happen when running ON BATTERY @ Refresh Rate 60Hz (trigger).

What's the next steps?

Regards,

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idata
Employee
4,275 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

Thank you for the information provided. I appreciate your feedback and suggestions and I really understand the frustration you may be experiencing at this moment.

 

 

According to the information gathered, the the latest Intel® Graphics Driver version 20.19.15.4835 is very reliable. However, hardware seems to be the source of the screen flickering since you bought your laptop. I also recommend you to contact your system manufacuterer for any releases.

 

Your feedback is really important when it comes to driver releases, so keep checking our https://downloadcenter.intel.com/ Download Center for any updates and details on fixed issues.

 

 

Thank you for contacting Intel.

 

 

Wanner G.
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FBirr
Novice
4,275 Views

Hello Wanner G,

The "Ideal Solution" since LFP and GPU can handle 60Hz is to run on battery at maximum refresh rate without screen flickering.

Defective hardware doesn't allow to reach a definitive solution.

Please technically explain your conclusion that the source of the flicker issue is the hardware (and not on VGA driver). Which faulty hardware device (component) are we talking about?

Regards,

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idata
Employee
4,275 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

As I mentioned before, we will continue gathering information to continue improving. I apologize for any inconvenience. Please keep checking our https://downloadcenter.intel.com/ Download Center for any updates and details on fixed issues.

 

 

Wanner G.

 

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FBirr
Novice
4,275 Views

Hi Wanner G.

I'm running now Windows 10 Pro (1709) – 16299.431 with Intel HD Graphics 4400 driver version 20.19.15.4963 and the issue 'SCREEN FLICKERS only when ON BATTERY @ REFRESH RATE 60Hz' still persists.

Please push engineering team to fix it.

Regards,

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idata
Employee
4,275 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

I will forward this request to the proper department. I will get back to you soon.

 

 

Wanner G.
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idata
Employee
4,275 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

In order to do further research on the flickering issues reported, please fill out the following information one more time:

 

 

https://communities.intel.com/thread/77761 https://communities.intel.com/thread/77761

 

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

Wanner G.
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FBirr
Novice
4,275 Views

Hello Wanner G.

The Report (and issue) still the same except for the two itens that I mentioned before (post # 13):

 

1) I'm running now Windows 10 Pro (1709) – 16299.431

 

2) Intel HD Graphics 4400 driver 20.19.15.4963 => https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27780/Graphics-Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-40- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27780/Graphics-Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-40-

 

Please support your costumers with a proper vga driver.

Regards,

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idata
Employee
4,275 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

Thank you for your response.

 

 

After reviewing your case carefully, we still believe that you should push this fix with the OEM since it does not seem to be a driver issue.

 

 

The embedded DisplayPort (eDP) connection of your laptop's Local Flat Panel (LFP) has a technology called Panel Self Refresh (PSR), which is controlled by different components, including drivers and vBIOS (this is a component of the system BIOS where the OEM programs the Panel's supported video modes). Since we have tested many different drivers and they do not appear to be the source of the issue, then our suggestion is contacting the Laptop manufacturer so they can debug this issue as it could very well be located in their vBIOS.

 

 

If the laptop manufacturer determines the issue is with the Intel driver they will surely contact us (business-to-business) to get it fixed as soon as possible.

 

 

Wanner G.
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idata
Employee
4,275 Views

Hello Birraque,

 

 

I am writing to follow up on your inquiry.

 

 

Were you able to contact your computer manufacturer to get additional information about this issue?

 

 

Wanner G.
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FBirr
Novice
4,275 Views

Hello Wanner G.

Do you believe that after 5 years and thousands of complaints Lenovo still isn't aware of the flickering issue on Yoga 2 Pro?

Regards,

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