Whether you’re gaming, streaming movies, or working, screen resolution problems ruin the experience. Fixing the issue depends on the cause, which can range from hardware issues to problems with settings. Windows offers a variety of settings to customize your screen resolution to best fit your monitor type and situation.
Content
- Common Causes of Screen Resolution Problems
- 1. Check for Windows Update Issues
- 2. Adjust the Resolution
- 3. Update Display Drivers
- 4. Tweak App-Specific Settings
- 5. Adjust DPI Size
- 6. Change Display Adapter Mode
- 7. Dealing With Hardware Issues
Common Causes of Screen Resolution Problems
Most screen resolution issues come down to one of the following causes:
- Settings aren’t optimized or have been changed
- Installing a new monitor
- Windows Update problems
- Driver issues
- App-specific issues
- Hardware problem (monitor, graphics card)
Tweaking settings fixes most everything except physical hardware problems.
1. Check for Windows Update Issues
Before diving in to your display settings, let’s take a look at Windows Update issues. If your screen resolution problems didn’t begin until right after installing a Windows Update, the issue is normally caused by an update changing your display settings or changing your display/graphics driver.
Fix the screen resolution by going to Settings -> System -> Display. Verify the settings to see if anything has changed since installing the updates.
If everything’s okay, press Win + X, and select Device Manager. Expand Display Adapters, right-click your adapter, and select Update driver. You can also select Uninstall device, restart your PC, and let Windows reinstall the driver. Expand Monitors and repeat the above process for your monitor(s).
If Windows Update keeps giving you the wrong or a bad driver, turn off driver updates to keep your current driver.
2. Adjust the Resolution
Fix many screen resolution problems in Windows just by adjusting the resolution. Windows updates, apps, second monitors (which may auto-adjust both monitors to the same settings), and more can change your default or custom settings. Plus, some sites, videos, games, etc., may require a lower or higher resolution than your default.
Go to Settings -> System -> Display. Or, right-click on your desktop, and select Display Settings.
Next to Display Resolution, select the correct resolution for you. Usually, the recommended option is best, but play around with other resolutions to see if that helps.
From the Display settings, you can also adjust the brightness, scaling, and the settings for additional connected screens.
If you need a brighter or more vibrant display, and HD is supported by your monitor, click HDR in Windows 11 or Windows HD Color settings in Windows 10. These settings only exist if your monitor supports them. If you don’t see them, or they’re grayed out, you can’t use them.
Also, access advanced settings by clicking Advanced display in the Display settings. Select the display you want to change to view details, then click Display adapter properties for Display at the end of the details.
You can adjust the adapter properties, screen refresh rate (Monitor tab), and the color management (Color Management tab).
3. Update Display Drivers
Drivers are a necessary evil for hardware to work, but they’re often the cause of many problems. For example, a flickering screen is often a driver issue. Drivers are often the culprit behind stretched screens, fuzzy resolution, poor refresh rates, and more. They can also make your screen look more like a Windows 95 desktop than the modern, crisp look we’re all used to.
Windows updates may help fix screen resolution problems if the update includes an improved driver. This isn’t always the case, but it’s a good place to start. While Windows loves to force updates automatically, you can run a manual check, too.
Start by checking for updates. Go to Settings -> Windows Update. Press Check for Updates. Usually, you only see this option if you’ve stopped automatic Windows updates. If you don’t see this option, your PC is up to date.
If updating doesn’t work, you’ll need to update the driver manually. Right-click the Start menu, and choose Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters. Right-click your display adapter, and choose Update driver. Follow the prompts to search for and install a new driver.
If you’ve installed a new monitor, expand Monitors, and do the same thing with your new monitor.
While letting Windows search for and install drivers is the easiest approach, if the Windows drivers don’t work, download the latest drivers directly from the device manufacturer. Then, choose Browse my computer for drivers to install those instead.
4. Tweak App-Specific Settings
If you’ve recently installed a new game, app, video player, or anything similar, the app may be to blame for the screen resolution problems. This is especially true if the resolution problems only occur within that specific app.
For instance, YouTube videos are usually available in multiple resolutions. Simply change the resolution for the video while you’re watching for a better experience.
Check the app’s settings for resolution or display settings. Also, check the app’s requirements to ensure your screen supports the optimal resolution settings. No setting can fix an app that needs a higher resolution than your screen offers.
5. Adjust DPI Size
Adjusting your DPI size manually usually isn’t recommended. However, DPI (dots per inch) affects the size of various elements, such as icons. If these look fuzzy, then your screen resolution may seem off. If nothing else seems to work, go to Settings -> System -> Display -> Scale.
Enter a number between 100 and 500 in the Custom Scaling box. Click the checkmark to save your settings. The default is 100. It can become problematic when you change the setting, as all display settings adjust accordingly. Make sure you know all your original display settings before you change anything.
If you just need to see your icons and text better, scaling won’t help. Instead, right-click your desktop, and select View. Choose your size, or press and hold Ctrl, and use your mouse to adjust the size. Then, go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Text Size. Adjust to the right size for you.
6. Change Display Adapter Mode
If your screen resolution problems in Windows are related to low resolution, and you can’t change the resolution using any of the above methods, there may be one more option. Make a note of the original setting so you can revert to it if this method doesn’t work.
Go to Settings -> System -> Display -> Advanced Display. Click Display adapter properties for [Display name]. If you have multiple monitors with resolution issues, repeat the process for each monitor.
In the Adapter tab, select List All Modes.
Select a different mode from the list to see if it makes any difference. It may take a while to go through them all, but it’s worth it if it fixes the problem.
Press OK to save your changes, then click Apply.
7. Dealing With Hardware Issues
For hardware issues, you’ll likely need to replace the failing hardware. This happens as screens wear out. However, if you’re trying to play a game or watch something in a higher resolution than your graphics card and screen support, you’ll have issues, no matter what you do. The signs that this is the problem include:
- Flickering screen
- Screen randomly going black or staying black
- Fuzzy screen no matter what settings you change
- Lines through the screen
- Certain colors are off
Monitors and graphics cards do wear out over time. For older monitors and graphics cards, they might not be compatible with apps and videos that require a higher resolution.
Double-check whether it’s the hardware or something else by trying a second monitor and/or card if possible. Also check out these tips to fix issues with a graphics card.
Take time to fully customize your display to make it easier to use your PC. Sometimes, simple tweaks are all you need to fix screen resolution problems. If you often use your screen at night, consider using Night Light to make it easier on your eyes. Just make sure not to use it during the day, as it could make your screen resolution look off.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.
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Crystal Crowder –
Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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