Second monitor keeps on temporarily going black at random

I'm actually beginning to wonder whether it's a power-related HDMI/HDCP issue. AFAIK I have only had this problem with monitors connected via HDMI (not DisplayPort). Has anyone had the problem with a monitor connected via DP?

My theory is: a temporary fluctuation in the power supply may prompt the HDCP "handshake" (between the display adapter and the monitor) to be repeated, causing the display to go blank until the handshake is completed. This usually takes a few seconds. I used to have a Humax PVR which did something similar - my TV would go blank for a few seconds while the HDCP handshake repeated itself.

????

Any luck finding a fix? Clearly this is a widespread issue.

Also, I am experiencing the blackouts with my only HDMI connected output source (sony tv)

I have tried every possible settings combination for both windows and the tv display settings as well. Only lowering to 60hz eliminates the issue entirely. I believe you could be on the right track with hdcp handshake and power fluctuations. I have yet to try and use displayport for the tv, as that would be alot of work to run a new cable through a wall into another room.

I'm considering getting a HDCP defeat device or software to try and solve this issue.

I refuse to believe that this is a hardware problem. We know for a fact that lowering refresh rates reduces or eliminates the problem entirely, but this is an unacceptable fix. We are not able to fully utilize our hardware as intended. Any power supply swapping etc could simply be placebo. I believe the problem lies within Windows itself, and the power management there. Many users indicate fixes revolving around this system, but it does not fix for all, as not all have the same system specs and use-case scenarios.

I, for one, have a three screen set-up for gaming.
3090 ZOTAC

i9-10900k

800w power supply

one monitor at 1080p 120 hz
another monitor at 4k 120hz
85" sony 4k at 120hz.

After trying a user's suggestion of turning off gpu hardware assist in settings-display-graphics settings the issue actually got worse.

I dealt with this problem over and over and it's my sony tv that is going black, which I use for computer gaming on couch with controller. Eventually I caved and set everything to 60hz and never had an issue. Only to reset back to 120hz a year later to see if a gpu driver or windows update fixed the issue, and it hasn't.

Lowering the refresh rates never resolved it for me - mine are both set to the minimum (60Hz).

There are also alot of Linux users reporting similar symptoms, going back years. Here's an example of one: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ubuntu/comments/18w4253/ubuntu_screen_keeps_turning_off_for_a_second_and/ I've had this with both Windows 10 and Windows 11. My money's still on the display adapter and/or HDCP, probably related to power supply issues (it used to happen every time I turned my desk fan on or off).

Both of my monitors are connected over DP and I have this issue. I've actually considered switching the offending monitor (only one of my monitors ever flickers) to HDMI, but sounds like that's not likely to help.

I personally think the idea it has anything to do with power supplies is way off base, if we're truly all experiencing the same bug.

I get the flicker consistently when I launch apps that are incorrectly registered by G-sync as "games," (the crappy Apple Music beta app is a chief offender here), which cause my left monitor (which does not officially support G-sync, though according to Rtngs it should *work*) to flicker. I never have issues with my right monitor (has a G-sync module, and displays no issues with G-sync or flickering).

If I disable G-sync entirely, the issue goes away. I can't see any way to disable G-sync for only one monitor.

But I'm unwilling to constantly toggle it on and off, so here I am. Stuck in hell.