A user reports that their external monitor connected to a laptop via HDMI flickers intermittently. The laptop's built-in display works fine. You have tried a different HDMI cable and a different monitor, but the flickering persists. What should you check next?
Since the external monitor and cable have been ruled out as the source of the problem, the laptop's HDMI port becomes the primary suspect. Physical damage, such as bent pins, or accumulated debris like dust or lint, can disrupt the electrical connection, leading to flickering or a complete loss of signal. Inspecting and carefully cleaning the port is a critical first step in diagnosing and resolving such hardware-related display issues.
Why this answer
The issue is isolated to the external monitor connection, and swapping cable and monitor didn't help. This points to a defective or loose HDMI port on the laptop, which can cause intermittent signal loss. Testing with a known-good display on a different port or device confirms the port as the root cause.