Sony SupportMobile Phones & Tablets

Article ID : SX669602 / Last Modified : 11/01/2024Print

The screen flashes or flickers

    Valid for

    • Android™ 9 or higher

    After trying each step, test to see if the issue has been resolved before moving on to the next step.

    • Turn off your device and then turn it back on.
    • If your device has a screen protection film, make sure it's specifically intended for your Xperia® model. Such a protective film must have the holes for the proximity sensor and the front camera in the correct positions.
    • Make sure that there are no air bubbles, dust, or moisture under the screen protection film.
    • Wipe the screen with a clean and dry cloth to make sure that your touchscreen is clean.
    • Make sure that Developer options are disabled. If Developer options don't appear in the menu, it's already disabled.
    • Use the Tests feature in the Support app to carry out a quick test to check the touchscreen and display functionality. The Tests can also assess your Xperia device's potential hardware or software issues.
    • Restart your Xperia® device in Safe mode. Use Safe mode to check if any downloaded applications are causing the problem. In Safe mode, your device only starts with software and applications already installed when you purchased your device. If the device's performance improves in Safe mode, one or more of your downloaded applications are likely affecting the device negatively.
    • You can exit Safe mode and restart the device to uninstall the applications you suspect are causing the problem.
    • Check if a software update is available for your Xperia device using Xperia Companion.
    • If you can access the device menus, perform a factory data reset.
      Note: A reset will delete all personal content saved on your device's internal memory. Back up data that you want to keep. Content on an external SD™ card is kept.
    • If you can't access the device menus, perform a software repair using Xperia Companion.
      Note: All data in the internal memory is overwritten during a software repair. Content on an external SD card is kept.
    • If the screen still flashes or flickers, contact us.  Contact the Product Support team 

    Detailed instructions

    Disable Developer options

    1. Find and tap Settings → System → Advanced → Developer options.
    2. Tap the switch beside On to turn the feature off.

    Run a touchscreen and display test

    1. Find and tap Settings → Support. If this is the first time you start Support, tap ACCEPT to accept the privacy policy.
    2. On the Tests tab, scroll down and tap Touchscreen, then follow the on-screen instructions.
    3. Repeat the procedure, but this time select Display in step 2.

    Enable Safe mode

    Android 11 or higher

    1. While the device is powered on, press and hold down the power key.
    2. In the pop-up menu, touch Power → Power Off until the Reboot to Safe mode message appears.
    3. Tap OK to restart in Safe mode.

    Note: For Xperia 1 IV (Android 13), Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 5 IV, Xperia V, Xperia 1 V and Xperia 10 V

    1. While the device is powered on, press the power and volume up buttons simultaneously.
    2. In the pop-up menu, touch and hold Power off until the Reboot to Safe mode message appears.
    3. Tap OK to restart in safe mode.

    Exit Safe mode

    1. When in Safe mode, restart the phone.

    Perform a factory data reset

    1. Find and tap Settings → System → Advanced → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset) → RESET PHONE.
    2. If required, draw your screen unlock pattern or enter your password or PIN to continue.
    3. Tap ERASE EVERYTHING.

    Note: When you perform a factory data reset, you erase all personal data stored on the internal storage of your Xperia device. Make sure that you always back up data stored on the internal storage you want to keep before performing a factory data reset. Photos, videos, music, and documents stored on the SD card are not erased during a factory data reset.

    Perform a software repair using a computer.

    1. Computer: If not installed, download and install the Xperia Companion application.
    2. Open the Xperia Companion application.
    3. Connect your Xperia device to the computer using a USB cable.
    4. Xperia device: When prompted by the Allow access? message, tap ALLOW.
      Note: Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 10 IV, and Xperia 5 IV set the USB connection mode to file transfer with the instruction after connecting your Xperia to the computer.
    5. Computer: After a few moments, the Xperia Companion application detects your device, then click Software repair on the Xperia Companion home screen.
    6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

    Note: If you can't turn off your device before performing a software repair, force it to shut down. To shut down, press and hold down the power and volume up keys simultaneously until the device emits three vibrations.