How to Fix Screen Problem on the Monitor?
Monitors
Ever been in the middle of an important task, only to be derailed by a monitor issue? It could be something as minor as that one pesky dead pixel that, once seen, can’t be unseen.
We feel you!
Monitors can quickly become a headache when you have issues with them. From minor annoyances like a single stuck pixel to more noticeable issues like screen flickering or color distortions, problems can range from mildly distracting to downright disruptive.
Common Monitor Issues and Possible Fixes
But here’s the good news: many common monitor issues can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting. So, let’s go over a few of them and find out whether you have a simple fix on your hands or whether you have to consider contacting the manufacturer for help.
ISSUE #1: No Display After Plugging in Your Monitor
One of the most common monitor complaints is the one where you’re getting absolutely no display output even when you’ve plugged everything in properly. So, before you can troubleshoot, you’ll need to check a few things and then follow basic troubleshooting steps accordingly.
No Display: No Power to the Monitor
If you notice that your monitor isn’t powered on, i.e., you can’t see a lit power LED and pressing the power button does nothing – your issue is power to the monitor.
- First, check your power cable plugged into the monitor and your power outlet. Once you confirm that both are secure AND the power outlet is ON, check your monitor again. If it lights up (even if your desktop isn’t showing up yet), your monitor is ON!
- However, if your monitor still isn’t responding, check your monitor’s adapter. Some monitor models feature a power adapter with a detachable cable that might’ve come loose. If it is the detachable kind, secure it and check your monitor again.
- In case none of the above steps worked, the last option is to connect the monitor to another power outlet to check. If there’s still no power to the monitor, contact the monitor manufacturer’s support.
No Display: Monitor is Powered ON and PC Powered ON
If your monitor is on, but you can’t seem to get a display output, it’s most likely a connection issue or a PC issue.
Keep in mind, ‘no display output’ here refers to a scenario where absolutely NOTHING displays on the monitor except its own menu, manufacturer logo, etc. The steps below won’t help those already getting a BIOS flash screen or a Windows logo before it goes blank.
- Check the HDMI / Display Port / USB Type-C cable you’ve plugged into your monitor and ensure that it’s secure.
- If the cable seems plugged in fine on both ends, open up the monitor’s OSD menu (consult your monitor manual). It should have an option to manually select input. Here, pick the port that you’ve connected (usually HDMI or Display Port).
- In case even that doesn’t work, double check that your PC is, in fact, running. You should be able to tell by the fans spinning, the machine warming up, etc.
- The most convenient way to troubleshoot further would be to connect your PC to a spare monitor using the same cable. Now, if you fail to get a display output on another monitor as well, it could either be a cable issue or a PC issue.
- Swap out the cable with a good quality one just to be sure.
- However, if you don’t have a second monitor to test or swapping the cable didn’t help, you’ll have no choice but to tinker with your PC’s internals to reseat and re-plug a few components. If that doesn’t sound overly exciting, it’s time to contact support!
Note: In case you are comfortable around PC hardware, here’s a tip – it’s almost always the RAM. Make sure you remove the memory modules and slot them back in properly.
Issue #2: Flickering Display
If you’re getting a display output that keeps flickering, it can indicate a faulty cable, graphics card, or monitor. One of the easiest ways to troubleshoot this issue is by the process of elimination.
First, swap out your cable for another one. If that doesn’t solve your monitor’s flickering issues, connect it to any other device (PC/laptop/console). In case your flicker sorts itself out at this stage, your GPU will most likely be the culprit. If not, it’s time to contact your monitor manufacturer’s support team and ask for help!
Issue #3: Blurry, Faded, or Distorted Images
Monitors displaying blurry, faded, or distorted images can be tricky to troubleshoot.
First and foremost, make sure that your monitor is set to its native resolution in Windows or MacOS (you’ll find this in your monitor’s manual or product page). If it is set to the correct resolution, it’s time to open your monitor’s OSD menu and initiate a factory reset.
In the example above for MSI’s MPG 321URX QD OLED Gaming Monitor, you can see that the menu has a factory reset option. Once you’ve reset your monitor to its default settings, you should get rid of any settings-related problems.
However, if the display still looks distorted or blurry, it’s time to connect another device to it and try replicating the issue (we recommend using a different cable as well). If the distortion or blurriness still persists, it’s probably a monitor issue and you’ll need to reach out to your manufacturer’s support team for more help.
Issue #4: Dead or Stuck Pixels
A dead pixel or a stuck pixel can look similar, as they both stand out from the rest of the picture displayed on a monitor. Although dead pixels can’t be fixed, a stuck pixel could be fixed relatively easily.
First, here’s what a stuck pixel looks like vs. a dead one:
To fix this issue, what we essentially want to do is display a series of red, green, and blue pixels near the faulty pixel to see if you can sort of ‘jolt’ the offending one into working properly. A common tool used for this purpose is JScreenFix (https://www.jscreenfix.com/). Follow the instructions on the website, and hope for the best!
If the pixel is still stuck, you could opt for more drastic measures – like giving it a massage.
Yes, if you have any object with a soft tip, like a pencil with an eraser on top, you can use the top part of the pencil to lightly massage the area while JScreenFix is running. That said, before you go down this route, please note that any excessive force or using the wrong implement will permanently damage your monitor. So, tread carefully, and you probably won’t want to risk it if your monitor is still under warranty.
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