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Fix Word Draw Mode Flickering and Black Screen Issues
Question details
The user is experiencing severe display issues and system crashes when utilizing the Draw mode with the default pen in Microsoft Word.
- Product
- Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 / Office)
- Device & OS
- Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 / Windows
- Scenario
- Drawing or taking handwritten notes using the default pen in Word's Draw mode on a 2-in-1 device equipped with an Intel Iris Xe graphics adapter.
- Observed behavior
- The application suffers from invisible ink, screen flickering, freezes, crashes, and potential failure of the Intel Iris Xe graphics adapter.
Before attempting to repair your Office installation, make sure that your Windows operating system and Intel Iris Xe graphics drivers are updated to their latest versions, as outdated drivers commonly trigger these display conflicts.
Perform an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Using the built-in Windows repair tool can resolve corrupted installation files or configuration issues causing the Draw mode to crash.
Microsoft provides a comprehensive Online Repair tool that scans and replaces corrupted Office application files. This is often the most effective first step for deep software glitches that cause unexpected flickering or adapter failures.
Click the Windows Start menu, type 'Control Panel' in the search bar, and press Enter to launch the application.
Click on 'Programs', then select 'Programs and Features' to view the list of installed applications on your Lenovo device.
Scroll through the list until you find 'Microsoft 365' or your specific version of Microsoft Office. Right-click on it and choose 'Change'.
Select the 'Online Repair' option in the prompt window and click 'Repair'. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete before restarting your computer.
Contact Microsoft 365 Support for Advanced Diagnostics
If standard repairs do not resolve the hardware driver conflict, escalating the issue to Microsoft support is necessary for log analysis.
Try WPS Office for a Stable and Seamless Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to crash or flicker on your 2-in-1 device due to graphics driver conflicts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that handles standard document formats with ease, minimizing the hardware strain that leads to crashes.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click 'Download WPS Office Free' to get the latest lightweight installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the brief on-screen instructions to install the suite on your Windows device.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and seamlessly open your existing .docx files to continue working without graphics crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my screen flicker when using the pen in Word Draw mode?
Screen flickering in Word's Draw mode is typically caused by a hardware acceleration conflict between Microsoft Word's rendering engine and your device's graphics adapter (such as the Intel Iris Xe), especially on 2-in-1 laptops like the Lenovo Yoga.
Will an Office Quick Repair fix the black screen issue?
A Quick Repair may not resolve deep compatibility issues or severely corrupted files. It is highly recommended to use the 'Online Repair' option in the Windows Control Panel, which performs a thorough download and replacement of problematic Office components.
Do other digital pens cause the same crash in Word?
Not necessarily. User reports indicate that while Word's default pen tool triggers the issue, third-party hardware options like the Galaxy Pen or Apple Pencil (on supported cross-platform devices) may function normally. The bug is often specific to how Word interacts with the native hardware drivers.
How do I update my Intel Iris Xe graphics driver to prevent Word crashes?
You can update your graphics driver by pressing Windows + X and opening 'Device Manager'. Expand the 'Display adapters' section, right-click your Intel Iris Xe adapter, and select 'Update driver'. Alternatively, you can download the latest official driver from the Lenovo or Intel support website.
