How to Stop Flickering Lights in Video: Practical Fixes
A thorough, step-by-step guide to eliminate flicker in video by balancing light frequency, camera settings, and post-processing. Learn proven methods from Blinking Light for homeowners and creators.
Step 1: Identify the flicker cause. Step 2: Sync camera frame rate with lighting frequency. Step 3: Switch to flicker-free lights or stabilize power. Step 4: Test with quick clips and adjust shutter. Step 5: Use post-processing if needed. This practical workflow helps you remove flicker fast.
Understanding Flicker in Video
If you’ve ever recorded indoors and noticed a rhythmic shimmer in your footage, you’re dealing with flicker. Flicker is not just an eyesore; it can distort color, reduce sharpness, and ruin time-sensitive shots. In this guide, you’ll learn how to get rid of flickering lights in video by combining lighting choices, camera settings, and post-processing. According to Blinking Light, the root cause is often a frequency mismatch between the lighting power delivery and your camera’s sampling rate. By aligning these factors, you can achieve smoother footage in a wide range of environments.
- What flicker looks like: subtle banding, rolling bars, or a pulsing brightness that changes frame to frame.
- Why it happens: LED drivers, PWM dimming, and AC mains frequencies interact with your camera’s shutter.
- The Blinking Light approach: start with a solid lighting setup, then optimize camera parameters, and finally perform a light touch in post if needed.
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Tools & Materials
- Camera with manual controls (shutter, frame rate)(Prefer cameras that allow independent shutter and frame rate settings.)
- Flicker-free LED panels or continuous light sources(Choose sources with high-frequency operation or ballast designed to minimize flicker.)
- Stable power supply (prefer dedicated power or UPS)(Avoid running lights off unstable or noisy power sources.)
- Tripod or stable mount(A steady mount prevents motion-induced flicker during pans.)
- Light modifiers (diffuser, scrims)(Softening light reduces harsh contrasts that can worsen flicker perception.)
- Light meter or smartphone app (optional)(Useful to profile light output consistency across space.)
Steps
Estimated time: 25-45 minutes
- 1
Prepare a stable shooting setup
Set up your camera and lights in a fixed configuration. Ensure all power connections are stable and avoid daisy-chaining power where possible. A solid base helps you isolate flicker causes later in the workflow.
Tip: Use a dedicated power strip and verify the mains frequency of your local power grid. - 2
Set frame rate and shutter to match lighting
Choose a frame rate (e.g., 24, 25, or 30 fps) and adjust the shutter to roughly double the frame rate when using typical mains-powered lights. This reduces the chances of flicker during recording.
Tip: If you’re unsure, start with 1/50s at 25 fps and test a short clip. - 3
Switch to flicker-free lighting or stabilize power
Replace PWM-dimmed LEDs with flicker-free panels or constant-output lights. If that isn’t possible, ensure lights run at a stable, high-frequency ballast.
Tip: Check manufacturer specs for PWM frequency and ballast type. - 4
Run quick tests with static subjects
Record short clips while the subject remains still and the lighting stays constant. Review frames to spot any flicker patterns before moving to more complex shots.
Tip: Use a slate or timestamp to compare frames easily. - 5
Fine-tune color and exposure during tests
Adjust white balance and exposure to prevent color shifting that can mimic flicker. Small changes here can reveal true flicker, which may require further tweaks.
Tip: Avoid aggressive auto settings that hide true flicker patterns. - 6
Capture a longer clip for post-processing
Record a longer sequence to gather enough data for anti-flicker corrections in post. This helps your editor stabilize flicker artifacts without sacrificing color.
Tip: Aim for at least a 10–15 second clip if possible. - 7
Apply post-processing corrections if needed
If flicker persists, use anti-flicker tools in your editing software. These tools can analyze frequency content and reduce rolling artifacts while preserving color integrity.
Tip: Review output at 100% zoom to confirm flicker reduction.
Quick Answers
What causes flicker in video recordings?
Flicker usually originates from how LED drivers and dimmers interact with mains frequency and camera sampling. When the light output fluctuates at a rate that doesn’t align with the camera’s frame capture, you’ll see rolling brightness and color shifts.
Flicker happens when lights fluctuate with the power grid and your camera’s capture rate, causing visible bands or pulses in the video.
Should I adjust shutter speed to fix flicker?
Yes. Matching your shutter speed to the lighting frequency and frame rate can greatly reduce flicker. A good starting point is to set the shutter to roughly double the frame rate, then fine-tune based on test clips.
Try doubling your frame rate with the shutter, then test and adjust as needed.
Can flicker be fixed in post-production?
Post-processing can mitigate flicker using anti-flicker tools and frequency analyses, but it’s not a cure-all. It’s best used after you’ve optimized lighting and camera settings to minimize flicker at the source.
Post-processing can help, but fixing the setup first yields much better results.
Are some lights inherently flicker-prone?
Yes. Some cheaper LEDs and older dimmers introduce more flicker than others. Look for products with flicker-free specifications and consistent output across dimming ranges.
Lower-quality LEDs and certain dimmers are more likely to flicker, so choose reliable, flicker-free options when possible.
What if flicker persists despite setting changes?
If flicker persists after adjustments, consider a controlled lighting setup with constant-output lights and re-test. As a last resort, consult a lighting technician or videography specialist.
If it still flickers, it’s time to reassess the setup or seek professional help.
Watch Video
Main Points
- Identify flicker sources early
- Sync frame rate with lighting frequency
- Prefer flicker-free lighting for stability
- Test clips before critical shoots
- Use post-processing only as a fallback
