Computer displays have come a long way in terms of hardware, and they’ll keep getting even better if the past development is an indicator. We now have displays with significantly higher resolutions and faster refresh rates. However, the software side of things can still let you down at times.
In this article, we’re taking a look at why graphics might be pixelated on your display.
How to fix pixelated graphics on Windows?
If you’re using Windows and notice pixelated graphics on your screen, follow these steps to solve your problem.
Update your PC
The first thing you should do is to update your PC. Updating your PC will, in most cases, update your drivers and fix any issues in the process.
Check out this detailed guide to know how to update your PC here
Also read: What is Display Mirroring on iPhone and iPad? How does it work?
Check screen resolution
Every monitor has a native screen resolution that works best with that particular display. If you’re using a resolution lower (or higher) than the native one, there’s a good chance that graphics will appear slightly fuzzy.
Here’s how you can ensure you’re running at the best resolution for your display,
Step 1: Press Windows Key + I to open Windows settings. Once open, click on Display.
Step 2: Under Scale & layout, make sure that the recommended resolution is set under Display resolution.
The fuzzy graphics should go away now.
Also read: Chrome images disappear after loading: 9 Fixes
Check your DPI settings
Like resolution, every monitor also has its preferred DPI or dots per inch setting. Check to see if you’ve got them right.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + I to open Windows settings. Once open, click on Display.
Step 2: Under Scale & layout, make sure that the recommended scale is set under Scale.
Check the refresh rate
These days, many monitors come with higher refresh rates up to 120, 144 or even 240Hz. Running these displays under the recommended refresh rate can cause problems with the display, including fuzzy graphics. So make sure you’ve got these settings right.
Step 1: Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
Step 2: Scroll down and click on Advanced display.
Step 3: Make sure your display is set to the highest possible refresh rate.
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Update your graphics drivers
Outdated graphics drivers often cause problems with video output on monitors. Check to make sure you’ve got the latest graphics drivers.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run prompt. Type in devmgmt.msc and hit enter.
Step 2: Scroll down to find Display adaptors — double click it to expand and see all your graphics cards.
Step 3: Right-click on your graphics cards and select Update driver.
Step 4: Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will automatically download and install any updates that are available.
Restart your PC, and the display should be fine.
How to fix pixelated graphics on Linux?
If you’re running Linux and are getting fuzzy graphics on your display, the solutions are the same as above. Ensure that the display is running at its native resolution, refresh rate and DPI settings.
Other than that, if you’re running multiple displays, the chances are that one monitor’s native resolution is different from the other. In such cases, you should use the Join Displays mode instead of Mirror mode to control your displays, as it allows you to have independent resolution settings for each display.
Also read: 720p vs 1080p vs 2k vs 4k vs 8k: Which display should you buy?
