Experiencing unexpected screen resolution issues after a game crash, connecting/disconnecting an external monitor, or any other disruption can be frustrating. Before you panic, use this step-by-step checklist to troubleshoot and resolve common screen resolution problems quickly.
This guide will help you restore your display to its optimal settings, ensuring the best possible visual experience. Also, if you’re not sure what your current device resolution is, we have this test to find it out.
🛠️ Screen Resolution Troubleshooting Checklist 🛠️
1. Verify Display Connections
🟢 Check All Cables: Ensure that all video cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA) are securely connected to both the computer and the monitor/TV.
🟢 Inspect Adapters: If using any adapters (e.g., HDMI to DVI), make sure they are functioning properly.
2. Restart Your System
🔄 Reboot Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve resolution issues by resetting the display settings.
🔄 Power Cycle the Monitor/TV: Turn off the monitor or TV, wait for 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
3. Re-Detect Displays
💻 Windows: Right-click on the desktop, select Display settings, then click Detect to re-establish connections with all connected displays.
🍏 macOS: Go to System Preferences > Displays, then hold the Option key and click Detect Displays.
4. Check Resolution Settings
⚙️ Windows: Go to Display settings and ensure the resolution is set to the recommended (native) resolution.
⚙️ macOS: Go to System Preferences > Displays, and select Default for display or manually choose the correct resolution.
5. Update Graphics Drivers
🔄 Windows: Open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, and select Update driver.
🔄 macOS: Ensure your system is up-to-date by going to System Preferences > Software Update.
6. Reset Display Settings
🛠️ Windows: If the resolution is still incorrect, go to Display settings, scroll down to Advanced display settings, and click Display adapter properties. Then, select List All Modes and choose the correct resolution and refresh rate.
🛠️ macOS: Hold the Option key while clicking Scaled in System Preferences > Displays to reveal additional resolutions.
7. Disconnect External Displays
🔌 Unplug External Monitors/TVs: Disconnect any additional displays, then reconnect them one at a time to see if the resolution normalizes.
🔌 Test Each Display Individually: If possible, connect each monitor/TV separately to identify if one is causing the issue.
8. Enter Safe Mode (if needed)
🚨 Windows: Boot into Safe Mode by holding Shift while restarting, then select Startup Settings > Enable Safe Mode. Adjust resolution settings within Safe Mode if necessary.
🚨 macOS: Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key during startup to enter Safe Mode, then adjust the display settings.
9. Reset Graphics Driver (Windows)
🔄 Quick Reset: Press Win + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver. This can resolve many display-related issues without needing a full restart.
10. Check for System Updates
🔄 Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and check for updates.
🔄 macOS: Go to System Preferences > Software Update to ensure your macOS is up to date.
11. Roll Back Driver (if necessary)
🔄 Windows: If the issue started after a driver update, go to Device Manager, right-click your GPU under Display adapters, select Properties > Driver, and click Roll Back Driver.
12. Contact Support
📞 Manufacturer Support: If none of the above steps work, consult your monitor or computer manufacturer's support for further assistance.
Note: If you’re still facing issues after following this checklist, the problem might be related to hardware failure or more complex software issues. In such cases, contacting technical support or consulting with a professional technician is recommended.
Tip: Regularly updating your graphics drivers and keeping your system software up to date can mostly prevent many of these issues from occurring in the first place.
