How to Enable or Disable Flash Screen during Audio Notifications in Windows 11
Sound Sentry (a tool that displays visual cues for system sounds) makes your computer screen blink whenever a sound alert plays in Windows 11. This built-in accessibility setting helps you spot system alerts if you work in a loud room or have trouble hearing.
You can choose from 3 different flash styles for these visual alerts to make your active window blink, flash just the title bar at the top of your app, or flash the entire display. Find these options instantly in the Windows 11 Settings app by opening Accessibility and clicking Audio.
Configure the Sound Sentry feature in Windows 11 Accessibility settings. Navigate to Settings Accessibility Audio and select your desired visual notification option from the “Flash my screen” dropdown. This allows you to flash the active window, title bar, or entire screen.
Turn On or Off Flash Screen in Settings
Flash Screen Notifications Windows 11 can be turned on or off through the Settings app to make your screen flash whenever an audio alert plays. This built-in accessibility feature helps you spot notifications visually if you work in a loud room or have trouble hearing standard computer sounds. You can change this setting in a few quick steps using the main system menu.- Open Settings by pressing Win+I.
- Click on Accessibility on the left side.
- Click on AudioHearing on the right side.
- Find the Flash my screen during audio notifications dropdown menu.
- Choose one of these options:
- Never (default)
- Flash the title bar of the active window
- Flash the active window
- Flash the entire screen
- You can now close Settings.
Option Two Open Audio settings
Turn On or Off Flash Screen in Control Panel
- Open Control Panel and click on the Ease of Access Center icon.
- Click on Use text or visual alternatives for sounds.
- Follow the steps below for what you want to do.
Turn On Visual Notifications for Sounds
- Check the box next to Turn on visual notifications for sounds (Sound Sentry).
- Select what you want under Choose visual warning:
- None
- Flash active caption bar
- Flash active window
- Flash desktop
- Click OK.
Turn Off Visual Notifications for Sounds
This restores the standard default behavior.
- Uncheck the box next to Turn on visual notifications for sounds (Sound Sentry).
- Click OK.
- You can now close Control Panel .
Option Three
Turn On or Off Flash Screen Using Registry
⚠️ Admin Required: Administrator privileges are needed to edit the registry.
Never Flash My Screen (Default)
This restores the standard default behavior.
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d 2 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v WindowsEffect /t REG_SZ /d 0 /fFlash the Title Bar of the Active Window
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d 3 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v WindowsEffect /t REG_SZ /d 1 /fFlash the Active Window
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d 3 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v WindowsEffect /t REG_SZ /d 2 /fFlash the Entire Screen
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d 3 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v WindowsEffect /t REG_SZ /d 3 /fSummary
Windows 11 provides a way to turn audio notifications into visual flashes on your screen. Flash the title bar, the active window, or the entire screen after configuring Settings.
What is flashing my screen during audio notifications?
When notifications or alarms sound, your device can flash its camera light or the screen if the “Flash notifications” feature is enabled. To configure this, go to Settings Accessibility Flash notifications and toggle the switch on or off.
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!