5.3 - Troubleshooting Display Issues

Incorrect Input Source

Is it connected?

• We wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t a real solution.

• Check both power and signal cable.

Input selection on monitor.

• HDMI, DVI, VGA, etc. 

Image is dim

• Check brightness controls. 

Swap the monitor. 

• Try the monitor on another computer. 

No video after Windows loads. 

• Use VGA mode (F8)

LCD Project Bulbs

LCD projectors and heat.

• Very bright metal-halide bulbs. 

• Operate around 1,000 degrees Celsius

Cooling is always an issue. 

• Fans constantly cool the bulb. 

• Shuts down if temperature is too high. 

• Fan cools bulb slowly after light is off. 

Replace a burnt-out bulb. 

• And clean dust from the air filters and external air input/output.

Fuzzy Image

An LCD display is fixed.

• The number of pixels doesn’t change.

A display looks best when the video settings match a display’s native resolution.

• A mismatch can cause distortion.

If changing the display resolution, try using a multiple of the native resolution.

• 2560 × 1600 is the same ratio as 1920 × 1200

Burn-In

A problem across all monitor types.

• Some displays will pixel-shift.

• You probably won’t notice it.

LCDs have “image sticking”.

• Try to remove by displaying a white screen for an extended period.

Dead Pixels

Always black - A manufacturing defect.

This probably isn’t a problem on your side. Not a cable or power issue.

Clean the monitor screen.

You’ll have to replace the monitor - no other option.

Flashing Screen

Check the video cable connections. 

• A loose cable will cause loss of signal.

Replace the video cable - usually a quick fix.

The problem could be with the monitor - Try switching the display.

Confirm the display settings in the OS.

• May not match the monitor.

Incorrect Color Display

Colors may not be properly represented. 

• Too much red, green, blue, yellow, etc. 

Monitor settings - Tint, custom color presets, Factory Reset

Driver configuration - Color tint

OS configuration - Very blue

• Night light settings.

Audio Issues

Many monitors include speakers.

• No sound, low volume.

Monitor may have audio controls.

• Check volume levels and mute status.

Confirm audio input over HDMI DisplayPort, or Thunderbolt.

• Check the HDMI audio output in the OS.

The monitor may support other audio input interfaces - Check for audio jacks.

Dim Image

Monitor video settings - Brightness, Contrast.

Check the OS - Auto-dimming, Dim on Battery Power, Driver Settings.

Backlight Failure - Some or all of the light, may only be a section of the screen.

Image Quality Problems

Flickering, color patterns incorrect - You can almost work with this. 

Check the cable pins - Especially if missing a color. 

Distorted image and geometry. 

• Check the OS refresh rate and resolution settings. 

• Need to match the display settings.

• Check the replacement cable.

Disable hardware acceleration.

• Troubleshoot with the software drivers.

Sizing Issues

The video output.

• The display may scale to fit the image (or not).

• Check the display for a scaling option.

Distorted Image

Lines, flashing colors, blocks - Difficult to see.

Hardware Failure

• LCD panels are very easy to break.

• No easy fix - replace the display.

Other hardware - bad cable, bad video adapter.

Software configuration - bad video driver.