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10 Common Computer Screen Issues and How to Fix Them

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Monitor issues can range from the merely annoying to the completely debilitating. Either way, it's important to be able to diagnose and fix the issue so you can get back to work without further ado. This guide will help you address a range of different computer screen issues.

Dead or Bright Pixel

Have you noticed something that looks like a black or unusually bright speck on your screen? If it isn't grime or dust, it's probably a broken pixel. Unfortunately, this is usually a physical defect in the monitor and cannot be fixed without replacing the monitor.

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Blurry Text and Other Resolution Problems

Issues with resolution usually result in your screen displaying in a weird way, usually by showing blurry text or putting windows and toolbars in the wrong proportion so they either overflow the screen or don't fill it entirely. This is a resolution issue that you can fix by going into your computer settings and switching to your computer's default or native resolution.

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Blank Screen

A screen that's completely blank without displaying any of the images you expect it to can be particularly disruptive. You can usually fix black screen issues by checking connections. Make sure the video cable is plugged in all the way and that power cords are functional. You can also try to adjust brightness via the monitor or your computer.

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Unexpected Power-Offs

If your monitor is randomly shutting itself off, one of two resolvable issues could be at play. One is a simple matter of overheating. The other could be an issue with the monitor's power source, which could be malfunctioning. If neither of these things seem to be to blame, the monitor itself may be defective.

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Flickering

If your screen is flickering noticeably, it could be an issue with your video cable. Try tightening the cable or, if it's particularly old, go ahead and replace it. This issue could also relate to your screen's refresh rate, though if you haven't been messing with your settings and this problem came up out of the blue, that probably isn't the issue.

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Cracks and Scratches

Cracking or scratching a monitor's surface can result in dead or discolored patches on the screen, making it hard to see a clear picture on your computer. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to fix this issue — you'll need to replace the screen entirely.

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Glare

Glare from overhead lights or the sun can make it hard to see your monitor clearly. You can do a few things about this, ranging from increasing your brightness to using a physical glare filter or even getting a special barrier to block your screen from overhead light.

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Smudges and Dust

A clean monitor is a clear monitor, and the smudges and dirt that often accumulate on a computer screen can be easily confused for another issue, like a dead pixel. Never use a cleaning solution to clean a screen — you can use a soft cloth to buff away smudges, and if you're dealing with a lot of stuck-on grime, a special monitor wipe can work.

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Unusual Noise

Is your monitor buzzing noticeably? Computer monitors are often backlit with fluorescent lightbulbs that can start to whine or buzz when they get old. Fixing this may be a simple matter of replacing that bulb.