When your Onn Google TV Stick makes the screen flicker or flash, it can ruin your streaming in an instant. This is a common headache with streaming devices, and it's often something you can fix yourself without too much trouble. Let's walk through the steps to get your picture stable again.
Check Your HDMI Connection
Start with the physical connection. A loose or faulty HDMI cable is the number one suspect for flickering. Unplug the HDMI cable from both your TV and the Onn stick, then firmly plug it back in. Make sure it's seated all the way.
If that doesn't help, try a different HDMI cable. For the best results with 4K content, use a certified high-speed HDMI cable. Also, try plugging the stick into a different HDMI port on your TV to rule out a bad port.
Power Cycle Everything
A simple restart can clear up temporary software glitches causing the flicker. Unplug the Onn Google TV Stick from its power source. Unplug your TV from the wall as well.
Wait for about 60 seconds. This gives everything time to fully power down. Then, plug your TV back in and turn it on. Finally, plug the Onn stick back into power. This sequence often resolves minor display hiccups.
Adjust the Display Settings on the Stick
Sometimes the resolution or refresh rate setting on the stick itself doesn't play nicely with your TV. On your Onn stick, go to Settings > Display & Sound > Resolution.
Try switching to a different resolution, like from 4K 60Hz to 1080p 60Hz, to see if the flickering stops. You can also go into Settings > Display & Sound > Match content frame rate and toggle that setting to see if it helps smooth out playback.
Check for Software Updates
Google and Onn release updates that can fix bugs, including ones that cause display problems. On the stick's home screen, navigate to your profile icon in the top right, then go to Settings > System > About > System update.
Check for any available updates and install them. I've seen updates specifically target performance and stability issues on these budget-friendly sticks, so this is a worthwhile step.
Clear the Cache for Problem Apps
If the flickering only happens in one app, like Netflix or Disney+, the app's cached data might be corrupted. Since the Onn stick has limited 8GB storage, clearing this cache can help. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
Find the problematic app, select it, and then choose Clear cache. Don't select "Clear data" unless you're okay with signing back in, as that resets the app completely. This is a good general maintenance tip for managing the stick's storage.
Try a Different Power Source
The Onn stick needs stable power. If you're powering it from a USB port on your TV, that port might not be providing enough consistent power, especially for the 4K model.
Unplug the stick and use the included power adapter, plugging it directly into a wall outlet. Avoid using old phone chargers or crowded power strips, as they can cause performance issues and flickering.
Check Your TV's Picture Settings
Your TV's own processing can sometimes conflict with the signal from the stick. On your TV's settings menu, look for features like motion smoothing (often called TruMotion, MotionFlow, or Auto Motion Plus), noise reduction, or any dynamic contrast setting.
Temporarily turn these features off. If the flickering stops, you can try turning them back on one by one to find the culprit. This is a common fix when the picture looks fine on other HDMI inputs.
Perform a Factory Reset
If you've tried everything else and the flickering persists, a factory reset is your last software step. Be warned, this will erase all your apps, logins, and settings, returning the stick to how it was out of the box.
To do this, go to Settings > System > About > Factory reset. After the reset, set up the stick again and test the display before installing many apps. This can eliminate any deep-seated software corruption.
Test the Stick on Another TV
This is the best way to figure out where the problem actually is. Take your Onn Google TV Stick and its power adapter and plug it into a different television in your home.
If the flickering is gone on the second TV, then the issue is likely with the first TV's HDMI port or settings. If the flickering continues on the second TV, the problem is with the stick itself. Since this is a Walmart-exclusive device, you'd want to check walmart.com for support or warranty options if the stick is faulty.
