The effect of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) on nitridation of 3 mol% Y2O3-doped ZrO2 (3YSZ) after keeping in a flash state for 1 hour was investigated. The inside of the DC-flashed compact was confirmed to exhibit blacking. Scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that zirconium nitrides formed in the blackened area. In contrast, a uniformly densified compact without blackening was obtained by AC fields. No zirconium nitrides formed in the compacts exposed to AC fields even when the flash state was maintained for 1 hour. Therefore, AC fields are effective to suppress nitridation of 3YSZ during flash sintering.