Technician helping troubleshoot Samsung Galaxy S23 screen flickering at low brightness

Steve H.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Samsung Galaxy S23 display problems (screen flickering, flashing at low brightness, adaptive display settings, refresh rate issues), OLED panel diagnostics, software vs hardware troubleshooting

Samsung Galaxy S23 screen flickering, flashing, or pulsing at low brightness — safe checks (display settings, adaptive brightness, refresh rate, software updates) before considering hardware service

Technician avatar Technician
I understand how unsettling screen flickering can be — especially when it happens at low brightness and feels like something is failing.

Trust moment: let’s not jump to “the display is broken.” Most Samsung S23 flicker at low brightness comes from software or display settings, not a hardware fault.

Quick start: does the flicker happen when you lower the brightness manually, or does it start when the screen gets dim on its own (like in a dark room)?
Customer
Both, actually. When I turn down the brightness slider, I see a slight flicker. And in dim light, it flickers more. It’s like the screen is pulsing.
Technician avatar Technician
That detail is helpful. Pulsing or flicker at low brightness on a Galaxy S23 usually points to one of three things: adaptive brightness fighting the manual setting, adaptive refresh rate adjusting too aggressively, or a display software glitch.

Before we test anything: is your phone fully updated to the latest Samsung software? And do you have “Adaptive brightness” turned on in your display settings?
Customer
I think it’s updated. I’m not sure about adaptive brightness. I don’t want to change settings and make it worse.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a safe instinct. Trust moment: I don’t want you changing settings blind either. Let’s be methodical and reversible.

Here’s what’s happening: adaptive brightness is a feature that auto-adjusts your screen based on light sensors. When it’s on and you manually lower brightness too, sometimes the two fight each other, causing flicker.

One gentle check: can you go to Settings > Display > Brightness and tell me if you see a toggle or switch for “Adaptive brightness” (sometimes called “Adaptive display”)?
Customer
Yes, I see it. It’s turned on. Should I turn it off?
Technician avatar Technician
Not yet. Let’s test first so we know if that’s the culprit. Keep it on for now, but let me ask a clarifying question: when the flicker happens, does it stop if you raise the brightness back to medium or high?
Customer
Yes, it pretty much goes away at higher brightness. It’s really only at low brightness.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a strong sign it’s not a hardware failure — it’s a software or settings interaction. The Galaxy S23 has an OLED display, which is brilliant but also very responsive to brightness control changes.

Here’s the likely cause: your phone has adaptive refresh rate on as well (usually called “Motion Smoothness” or “Adaptive refresh rate”). At very low brightness, it can interact oddly with adaptive brightness, creating that pulsing effect.

Can you check Settings > Display > Motion Smoothness or Refresh rate and tell me what you see?
Customer
I see “Motion Smoothness” and it says “Adaptive.” Is that the problem?
Technician avatar Technician
That could be part of it. “Adaptive” means your phone is switching between 48Hz, 60Hz, and 120Hz refresh rates depending on what’s on screen and the brightness level. At low brightness, sometimes that switching can look like a flicker or pulse.

Trust moment: I don’t want you to think the phone is broken. This is a known behavior on S23 models when multiple adaptive features are on together at very low brightness.

Here’s a safe test: can you try turning off “Motion Smoothness” (just set it to “Standard” or a fixed refresh rate) for a few minutes and see if the flicker stops?
Customer
Okay, I changed it to “Standard.” Let me lower the brightness… Wow, the flicker is almost gone. It’s much better.
Technician avatar Technician
Excellent. That tells us the flicker was coming from the adaptive refresh rate, not a broken display. Now we have options.

You can either leave Motion Smoothness on Standard (fixed 60Hz), or we can fine-tune the adaptive settings so they work better together. Some users prefer “High” (fixed 120Hz) because it feels smoother and doesn’t flicker at low brightness either.

Before you decide: does the screen feel smooth enough at Standard, or does it feel choppy to you?
Customer
It feels fine. I don’t notice a difference for normal scrolling. I’m just relieved it’s not broken.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect. You’ve found the fix. Now, a few follow-up thoughts so you understand what was happening and how to avoid it in the future:

Why it happened: Your S23 had two adaptive features on at the same time — adaptive brightness (auto-adjusting based on light sensors) and adaptive refresh rate (switching between 48Hz and 120Hz). At very low brightness, the phone was switching refresh rates frequently, which your eye saw as a flicker or pulse.

Other options: If you want to keep adaptive refresh rate on, you can also try turning off adaptive brightness instead. Some users prefer that balance. Or, if you want both adaptive features, you can avoid going to very low brightness and use the screen at a slightly higher level.

Does that explanation make sense?
Customer
Yes, it does. So it’s not a defect, it’s just how the features interact. That’s a relief. Should I check if there’s a software update?
Technician avatar Technician
Good thinking. Yes, you can check Settings > About phone > Software update to see if there’s a newer version. Samsung has released updates that improve how these adaptive features work together, so a newer version might make the interaction even smoother.

But for now, you’ve solved the flicker by adjusting Motion Smoothness, so you’re in good shape. If you ever want to try adaptive refresh rate again, you can test it in a well-lit room where adaptive brightness is less active, and see if the flicker comes back.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted first fix for Samsung Galaxy S23 screen flickering at low brightness (safe approach): 1) confirm the flicker happens only at low brightness and stops at higher brightness levels, 2) go to Settings > Display > Motion Smoothness and change from “Adaptive” to “Standard” (60Hz) or “High” (120Hz), 3) test at low brightness again to see if the flicker stops, and 4) if flicker persists, check Settings > Display > Brightness and temporarily turn off “Adaptive brightness” to isolate which feature is causing the issue. Most S23 flickering at low brightness is caused by adaptive refresh rate and adaptive brightness interacting, not a hardware defect. Check for software updates afterward.

Why Samsung Galaxy S23 screen flickers at low brightness (and why it’s usually not a hardware problem)

The Samsung Galaxy S23 has an OLED display with two adaptive features that can interact at very low brightness: adaptive brightness (which auto-adjusts based on ambient light sensors) and adaptive refresh rate (which switches between 48Hz, 60Hz, and 120Hz depending on content and power usage). When both are on simultaneously at very low brightness, the phone can switch refresh rates frequently, creating a visible flicker or pulsing effect. This is not a display panel failure — it’s a software behavior. The flicker typically stops when brightness is raised to medium or higher levels, or when one of the adaptive features is disabled. Many users experience this at some point, and it’s easily resolved by adjusting display settings. Samsung has improved this interaction in newer software updates, so keeping your phone updated can reduce or eliminate the issue entirely.

What to check first (safe checks before assuming hardware failure)

Start with the safest step: test whether the flicker only happens at very low brightness. Raise the brightness to medium or high and confirm the flicker stops — if it does, you’ve ruled out a hardware defect and identified a software or settings issue. Next, check your display settings for two features: Motion Smoothness (or adaptive refresh rate) and Adaptive brightness. If Motion Smoothness is set to “Adaptive,” try changing it to “Standard” (fixed 60Hz) and test at low brightness again. If the flicker stops, you’ve found the culprit. You can also try turning off adaptive brightness temporarily to see if that alone causes the issue. Once you’ve identified which feature is causing the interaction, you can decide whether to keep it off, use a fixed setting, or check for a software update that may improve the interaction. Avoid assuming the display panel is faulty until you’ve tested these settings.

Samsung Galaxy S23 screen flicker at low brightness — calm, senior-friendly guidance

Most flicker is caused by adaptive display features, not a broken screen.

If your Samsung Galaxy S23 screen flickers at low brightness, don’t panic — it’s almost certainly a software or settings issue, not a hardware defect. The S23’s OLED display is durable and well-engineered. The flicker you’re seeing is usually caused by adaptive refresh rate and adaptive brightness both trying to adjust the screen at the same time. The simplest fix is to turn off one of these features or switch to a fixed refresh rate. Test your fix by lowering the brightness slider and watching for the flicker — if it’s gone, you’ve solved it. If you want both adaptive features, you can keep the brightness at a medium level where the interaction is less noticeable, or check for a software update that may improve how these features work together.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. If flicker persists after adjusting display settings and updating software, or if the flicker is accompanied by other issues like color shifting or unresponsiveness, contact Samsung Support or visit an authorized service center to rule out a hardware issue. Do not attempt to open or repair the display yourself.

If the issue continues

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If your Galaxy S23 screen flickers at low brightness, start with the safest check: confirm the flicker stops when you raise brightness. Then test display settings like Motion Smoothness and Adaptive brightness.

Expert will respond in minutes

Most S23 screen flicker at low brightness comes from adaptive refresh rate and adaptive brightness interacting, not a display panel failure. Disabling one feature usually solves it immediately.

Avoid unnecessary service visits

Once you adjust Motion Smoothness or Adaptive brightness, the flicker typically stops right away. You can keep your phone and avoid a trip to Samsung Support or a service center.

FAQ

Is the flicker a sign my Galaxy S23 display is broken?

No. Flicker that only happens at very low brightness and stops when you raise the brightness is almost always caused by software or settings, not a hardware defect. The S23’s OLED display is durable. The flicker is typically caused by adaptive refresh rate and adaptive brightness both adjusting simultaneously. Changing your display settings usually fixes it immediately.

Why does turning off Motion Smoothness fix the flicker?

Motion Smoothness controls your phone’s refresh rate — how many times per second the screen redraws. When set to “Adaptive,” it constantly switches between 48Hz, 60Hz, and 120Hz to save battery. At very low brightness, this frequent switching can look like a flicker. Setting it to “Standard” (60Hz) or “High” (120Hz) keeps the refresh rate fixed, eliminating the flicker.

Can I keep both adaptive features on without the flicker?

Yes, with some adjustments. You can keep both Adaptive brightness and Motion Smoothness on if you avoid very low brightness levels (keep the screen at medium brightness or higher). Alternatively, you can keep Adaptive brightness on and set Motion Smoothness to “High” (fixed 120Hz), or vice versa. Experiment with which combination feels best to you. Samsung updates may also improve how these features work together.

Should I update my Galaxy S23 software if I’m seeing flicker?

Yes. Samsung regularly releases software updates that improve how display adaptive features interact. After you fix the immediate flicker by adjusting your settings, check Settings > About phone > Software update to see if a newer version is available. Installing it may prevent the flicker from happening again if you re-enable the adaptive features later.

Sources

Filed under: Screen Display Issues

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