diff --git a/.changeset/techdocs-dull-glasses-decide.md b/.changeset/techdocs-dull-glasses-decide.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f043c2f607
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/techdocs-dull-glasses-decide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/plugin-techdocs': patch
+---
+
+Only replace the shadow dom if the content is changed to avoid a flickering UI.
diff --git a/plugins/techdocs/src/reader/components/Reader.tsx b/plugins/techdocs/src/reader/components/Reader.tsx
index 0cb6c039d0..7307961772 100644
--- a/plugins/techdocs/src/reader/components/Reader.tsx
+++ b/plugins/techdocs/src/reader/components/Reader.tsx
@@ -397,6 +397,11 @@ const TheReader = ({
   const dom = useTechDocsReaderDom();
   const shadowDomRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
 
+  const onReadyRef = useRef<() => void>(onReady);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    onReadyRef.current = onReady;
+  }, [onReady]);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!dom || !shadowDomRef.current) return;
     const shadowDiv = shadowDomRef.current;
@@ -406,8 +411,10 @@ const TheReader = ({
       shadowRoot.removeChild(child),
     );
     shadowRoot.appendChild(dom);
-    onReady();
-  }, [dom, onReady]);
+    onReadyRef.current();
+
+    // this hook must ONLY be triggered by a changed dom
+  }, [dom]);
 
   return (
     <>