Screen resolution unexpectedly changes

Since upgrading my PC to Windows 10, I am having an occasional issue while browsing that is non-fatal but very annoying. This happened frequently in Chrome, and much less so with Firefox. Usually while scrolling on some page, the following sequence occurs:

1) A short sound is played from the speakers (like the chiming sound you get when an error or other event occurs).
2) The screen blanks out for an instant.
3) The monitor clicks and then comes back on in a very low-res mode with distorted windows, etc.
4) The sound plays again.
5) The screen blanks out again.
6) A click from the monitor and it's back in its default resolution, but of course my windows and desktop icons are usually moved or resized due to having been in the low-res mode for a second or two.

I originally suspected the graphics driver (AMD Radeon), but I do have the latest version and it doesn't seem like something that the driver would do on its own, especially since I get that tone from the speakers as though some piece of software is trying to do something specific.

I'd like to see if I can figure this out before I take the step of reverting to Windows 7. Any other reports like this?

Maybe this is done when the browser tries to accelerate graphics to display a page. Try turning hardware acceleration off. In Firefox, click on the top right button (menu) then on Options. Go to Advanced, General tab and uncheck the "Use hardware acceleration when possible" box. I don't have Chrome, so I cannot tell how to do it there, but have a look at advanced settings and you should find it. Check some pages to confirm that the issue is fixed.

spapakons said:

Maybe this is done when the browser tries to accelerate graphics to display a page. Try turning hardware acceleration off. In Firefox, click on the top right button (menu) then on Options. Go to Advanced, General tab and uncheck the "Use hardware acceleration when possible" box. I don't have Chrome, so I cannot tell how to do it there, but have a look at advanced settings and you should find it. Check some pages to confirm that the issue is fixed.

Great idea, and makes sense! I'll report back if I discover anything.

Shit happens