Ubuntu – Screen flickering Ubuntu 16.04 Intel graphics 620

driversgraphicsintel graphics

I have recently switched to Ubuntu and my screen flickers when I watch videos. I have searched the forum a lot, tried the Intel graphics tool, modified the grub file and it's still flickering. I have read that some bug associated with Intel graphics got fixed in kernel version 4.10 and up so I don't know what the problem is.
My laptop is a Dell Latitude 7280, i7, Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 (Kaby Lake GT2), Ubuntu 16.04 and kernel version 4.13
Also, I tried connecting to a different screen with HDMI and it flickers there too.
Thanks.

Best Answer

I had been experiencing the same problem with my Dell Vostro 5370 and Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

This is how I solved it:

  1. Go to "Software & Updates" application
  2. Under "Additional Drivers" tab, you should find "Intel Corporation: Unknown" section.
  3. Choose "Do not use the device"

Do not use DKMS driver from oem

Because DKMS will "pollute" your kernel until you purge the kernel using apt-get. The way I did is:

  1. reboot to an older working kernel (to choose different kernel in boot menu, you might want to check out How to get to the GRUB menu at boot-time?)
  2. use $ dpkg -l | grep linux-image to check what kernel you have installed
  3. use similar commands to # apt-get purge linux-image-4.4.0-73-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-73-generic to purge linux completely
  4. install latest kernel back by version if you wish: # apt-get install linux-image-extra-4.4.0-116-generic
  5. Reboot your computer and good luck!

If you are not so lucky that you have a functional kernel, you would probably either work under the flicker screen or use the old console without GUI.

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