Diagnosing intermittent flicker (Series X, not VRR issue)

Energy Turtle · Sep 4, 2023

Hello, I'm posting in hopes of diagnosing the cause of an issue I've been having while gaming. Hopefully this doesn't come across as long winded, I'm just trying to be as thorough as possible in order to get relevant input.

To preface, I've had the console since day one, and never had any issues on my older samsung TV (4k 60hz panel with no major gaming features). I upgraded to a new TV a few days ago (hisense u8k, 120hz, freesync etc.), and I noticed a strange visual occurrence while playing starfield that could be described as a flicker. It is totally intermittent, typically occurring a single time every five minutes or so. It isn't a flashing or strobing, such as what is typically associated with vrr; the screen doesn't go black, nothing else wrong with the image. Just one instance of the flicker as though you're blinking.

Here's the kicker. I disabled vrr on the xbox, and freesync on my television. Tested different games to make sure it wasn't an issue with starfield directly. The problem persisted. Checked the hdmi cable, all good, problem persisted. As a hail mary I changed the refresh rate in the xbox settings from 120hz to 60hz, and the visual anomaly I'd been seeing didn't happen a single time in an hour of gaming.

So I've seemingly resolved the issue, at least for now. But have no idea why it was happening with those settings enabled. I want to establish whether or not there is something wrong with the new TV, or if this is some known issue that occurs when the higher refresh rate is enabled. Whether it be on certain TV's, software gremlins, etc. If you've read this far, thank you for your time. I would greatly appreciate any input or answers!

:)

Energy Turtle

Appreciate the feedback. This issue, coupled with a few other things that were bothering me with the TV, prompted me to buy an LG C2 and just be done with it. We may never know what was wrong lol. I'll update the post if it happens on the new set.

The_Last_DJ

Hello Energy T! I'm Kris and I'd be happy to help you with your question.

I know someone who had a visual issue, tried 2 different TV's but it was only the 3rd TV where they found the issue never happened so it was actually the first 2 TV's they had which didn't work. If possible can you use the old TV or try a completely different one and see if the issue happens. If not, then it would suggest something with the Hisense TV as you have ruled out the Xbox.

JoeHussle

Yes it's an Xbox series x on a hdmi 2.1 TV with 120hz and VRR. It's just another issue on MW end

Ignroavo

I had the same issue using a Denon hdmi 2.1 AVR. I solved it using VRR with 120hz, but I have a hdmi 2.1 tv and a Series X, not One X. I guess you are stuck with 4k without vrr or full hd 120 and vrr. Another solution is to connect the Xbox directly to the tv and use arc/earc for audio, but One X does not support 4k 120hz, so you are stuck with full hd 120 if you use vrr.

HomegrownSilky

Have you tried turning off VRR on the Series X?

Diagnosing intermittent flicker (Series X, not VRR issue)