Fix BenQ Monitor Flickering on Windows 11 with 144Hz

Quick answer

Set your BenQ monitor to 120Hz or switch to a DisplayPort cable (if you're using HDMI) to stop the flicker.

Flickering on a BenQ monitor at 144Hz is almost always a bandwidth problem. When the monitor and the graphics card try to push 144 frames per second over an HDMI cable that can't handle the data rate, the signal degrades and the screen blinks or flashes. This shows up most often on Windows 11 because the OS defaults to the highest refresh rate the monitor reports, even if the cable isn't certified for it.

I've seen this with BenQ XL2411K, XL2546K, and EX2510 models. The culprit is usually an older HDMI cable (version 1.4 or lower) that lacks the bandwidth for 1080p at 144Hz. DisplayPort handles it better, so that's the first thing to try.

Fix 1: Switch to DisplayPort (if you're on HDMI)

1. Turn off your monitor and computer.
2. Unplug the HDMI cable from both ends.
3. Connect a DisplayPort cable between your monitor and your graphics card. If your monitor has both DP and HDMI, use the DP port labeled with a 'DP' icon.
4. Turn on your computer and monitor.
5. Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
6. Scroll down to Advanced display.
7. Under Choose a refresh rate, you should see 144Hz. If it's already set, the flicker should stop immediately. If not, select 144Hz from the dropdown.

After you click Apply, the screen might go black for a second — that's normal. If the flicker persists, try the next fix.

Fix 2: Lower the refresh rate to 120Hz

If you don't have a DisplayPort cable and you're stuck with HDMI, lowering the refresh rate is the practical workaround. 120Hz is still smooth and uses about 25% less bandwidth than 144Hz.

1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
2. Go to Advanced display.
3. Click on the monitor you're using (if you have multiple).
4. Click Display adapter properties for Display 1 (or the correct display number).
5. In the new window, go to the Monitor tab.
6. Under Screen refresh rate, select 120 Hertz.
7. Click Apply then OK.

You'll see a black screen flash, and the monitor should lock to 120Hz. The flicker should vanish. If it doesn't, you might have a different issue — read on.

Fix 3: Turn off BenQ Blur Reduction (if you have it)

Some BenQ monitors have a 'Blur Reduction' or 'DyAc' feature that reduces motion blur. On some models, this feature can cause flicker at high refresh rates, especially when the frame rate varies.

1. Press the Menu button on your monitor (the one that opens the on-screen display).
2. Use the arrows to find Picture or Display settings.
3. Look for Blur Reduction or DyAc.
4. Set it to Off.
5. Exit the menu.

The flicker should stop right away. This feature is nice for competitive gaming, but if it's causing flicker, it's not worth the headache.

Alternative fixes that work when the main ones don't

If you've done all of the above and the flicker is still there, try these in order.

Update your graphics driver

1. Open Device Manager (press Windows key + X and select Device Manager).
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060) and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If Windows finds nothing, go to the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the latest driver for your model.

Old drivers can cause weird refresh rate behavior. After updating, restart your PC. The flicker might disappear even without changing any other setting.

Try a different port on your graphics card

Graphics cards have multiple display outputs. Sometimes a specific port doesn't provide a stable signal. If you're on DisplayPort, try a different DP port on your GPU. If you're on HDMI, try a different HDMI port (if your card has two).

Check the cable for physical damage

A bent or frayed cable can cause intermittent signal loss. Look at the connector pins — if any are bent or dirty, replace the cable. A new high-speed cable is cheap and solves a lot of problems.

Prevention tips

Once you've stopped the flicker, do these to keep it from coming back.

• Use a certified DisplayPort 1.4 cable if you want to keep 144Hz. Regular old DP cables might not handle the bandwidth. Look for 'DP 1.4' printed on the cable or its packaging.
• Keep your graphics drivers updated — not just for gaming, but for display stability. Make it a habit to check once a month.
• Don't overclock the refresh rate. If your monitor shows 144Hz but you've tried custom overclocking beyond that (like 165Hz), revert it. That often causes flicker.
• Don't hot-swap cables while the system is running. It can corrupt the EDID data that tells Windows what refresh rates to offer. Shut down before plugging or unplugging.

Follow those steps and you'll have a stable picture. If you're still stuck after all this, your monitor might have a hardware fault — contact BenQ support and have them check it under warranty.