Solved Stuck in Safe Mode with flickering screen.


Kol12

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I'm stuck in safe mode with a flickering screen and the only thing I can do is open is Task Manager. The only way to get out of this is to boot to the Macrium recovery console via USB to restore an image file. My first thought was corrupt video drivers, however I have reinstalled, uninstalled and the flickering safe mode is still here. I have run DISM restore, chkdsk, SFC and none of those have fixed it. I don't know what to try next. Can anyone help with this?
 

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In Safe mode it's Windows own default driver that is in use.
What about when you are booted to the USB, does it flicker then?
- If so, it might be a connection or the display cabling itself.

The stuck in Safe mode issue might be unrelated. I haven't seen it for a few years now but some people found they were stuck in Safe mode if they used the MSConfig method of getting there.
How to - Escape from an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop - TenForums

[Boot to Safe Mode - ElevenForumTutorials]

Best of luck,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
In Safe mode it's Windows own default driver that is in use.
What about when you are booted to the USB, does it flicker then?
- If so, it might be a connection or the display cabling itself.

The stuck in Safe mode issue might be unrelated. I haven't seen it for a few years now but some people found they were stuck in Safe mode if they used the MSConfig method of getting there.
How to - Escape from an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop - TenForums

[Boot to Safe Mode - ElevenForumTutorials]

Best of luck,
Denis
The USB has the Macrium recovery console on it, and no it does flicker in the recovery console. Thank god for that too or I would be stuck in safe mode forever!

I did try pulling and re-plugging the Display Port cable to the GPU when the screen was flickering and I recall after that it went to complete black screen. I'm starting to think this is not VGA or cable related but I have never experienced this issue before. Looking at links now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
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    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
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    Corsair K100
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    Logitech G502X
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    Windows Defender, VBS
Forgot to to mention that I have the Macrium recovery console installed to C: which lets it be an boot option at boot. Restarting the computer from the flickering safe mode now bypasses the boot menu screen and hence why I have to the USB bootable recovery console instead.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
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    Corsair K100
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    Logitech G502X
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    Windows Defender, VBS
Yes, very difficult to know what to say about the flickering.
- If it's flickering in Safe mode & in normal booting [when you were able to use that beforehand] then it's not the driver causing it because two different drivers are used in those two different cases.
- If it's not flickering in the USB then the fault can't be in the Bios because that would affect all states.

I have experienced flickering in two Dell laptops and both times it was the display cable getting damaged in the hinges.

Best of luck,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
It's not flickering in normal booting, only in safe mode after I have initiated a safe mode boot from MSConfig. To clarify, I've restored a Macrium image to escape the safe mode loop/flicker. Right now I'm back in Windows and it's fine, no flickering. But if I initiate another safe boot from MSConfig the flickering will return...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS
Could it be Windows Update related? It's the same flicker but for me only in safe mode.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS
It's not flickering in normal booting, only in safe mode
Safe mode only? I had not realised that. It rather implies a fault in the MS default display driver or in Windows.

I think you could re-try Safe mode to make sure the problem re-occurs. Just don't use that MSConfig method - I have not seen any other methods cause Safe mode 'loops'.

Don't you Insiders / Release previewers have a thread where you exchange notes?
Could you ask somebody on the same build as you to go into Safe mode to see how theirs behaves? [Give them the Safe mode tutorial link and suggest that they use a different option not the MSConfig one]

Best of luck,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
It's the same flicker
You mean the bit they show between 5 secs & 10 secs into the video?

If so, I would guess it is software at fault.
It seems to me to be too slow & rhythmic to be a hardware problem.
It's more a fairly frequent fading in & out rather than a flickering.

Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
You mean the bit they show between 5 secs & 10 secs into the video?

If so, I would guess it is software at fault.
It seems to me to be too slow & rhythmic to be a hardware problem.
It's more a fairly frequent fading in & out rather than a flickering.

Denis
Yes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS
Why/how can MSConfig initiated safe boots cause problems like boot loops or possibly the issue I have?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS
Why/how can MSConfig initiated safe boots cause ... boot loops

I don't know why/how.
There have been reports of it happening for a decade.
All I know is how to get out of it & how to avoid getting into it.

Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
Why/how can MSConfig initiated safe boots cause problems like boot loops or possibly the issue I have?
It's a fairly common issue and if you Google it you'll get a fair bit of results. I never recommend using msconfig. Better to press SHIFT and RESTART.
If you have the Macrium recovery USB you could boot from that and select the fix boot tool.
 

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System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro & 🐥.
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    Laptop
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    ASUS VivoBook
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700U with Radeon Vega Mobile Gfx
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. X509DA (FP5)
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    RX Vega 10 Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB NVMe 1.3
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps
    Browser
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    Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
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    ACER NITRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    CZ Scala_CAS (FP6)
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4 SDRAM 3200 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
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    Realtek Audio. NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 144 Hz
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    1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
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    PSU
    180 Watt, 19.5 V
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps
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    Edge
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    Defender
I will try booting to safe mode with an alternative method to see if the flickering is gone or still there. Failing that I have a Macrium image made just before installing the latest Insider preview build which I can go back to see if it's related to the new build.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS
It's a fairly common issue and if you Google it you'll get a fair bit of results. I never recommend using msconfig. Better to press SHIFT and RESTART.
If you have the Macrium recovery USB you could boot from that and select the fix boot tool.
So holding Shift when clicking restarting will boot to safe mode?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro & 🐥.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700U with Radeon Vega Mobile Gfx
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. X509DA (FP5)
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    RX Vega 10 Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB NVMe 1.3
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ACER NITRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    CZ Scala_CAS (FP6)
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4 SDRAM 3200 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio. NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 144 Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    180 Watt, 19.5 V
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
Have a look at this video,

Troubleshoot/Advanced options/Startup settings. Then will it automatically boot to safe mode from there? I couldn't see them select any option in particular to enable safe mode from there?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS
Troubleshoot/Advanced options/Startup settings. Then will it automatically boot to safe mode from there? I couldn't see them select any option in particular to enable safe mode from there?
After reboot you get these options, (check YT for better videos that might be easier to follow )

1651309974849.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro & 🐥.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700U with Radeon Vega Mobile Gfx
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. X509DA (FP5)
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    RX Vega 10 Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB NVMe 1.3
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ACER NITRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    CZ Scala_CAS (FP6)
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4 SDRAM 3200 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio. NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 144 Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    180 Watt, 19.5 V
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
I see now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster X-AE5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296

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