Display Dilemmas: What to Do When Your Display Stops Working
Have you ever encountered a situation where your display suddenly stops working or shows some problems? Maybe your display flickers, goes blank, shows distorted colors, or has other issues that prevent you from seeing your content clearly. If you have, then you know how frustrating and inconvenient it can be.
A non-working display can be caused by various factors, such as faulty hardware, incompatible software, incorrect settings, or external interference. Depending on the cause and the type of device you are using, you may need different troubleshooting solutions to fix your display problem.
In this blog post, we will show you how to troubleshoot some common display issues on different devices and operating systems, such as Windows 11, Windows 10, Mac OS, Android, and iOS. We will also explain what are the possible causes of each issue and how to prevent them from happening again. So, let’s get started!
How to Troubleshoot Display Issues on Windows 11
Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system that offers various display features and settings, such as adaptive brightness, sleep mode, screen saver, and multiple monitors.
However, these features and settings can also cause some display issues if they are not configured properly or if they conflict with other software or hardware.
Some common display issues on Windows 11 are:
Screen Flickering: This is when your display flashes or changes brightness rapidly. This can be caused by a display driver issue or an incompatible app.
Screen Dimming or Turning off: This is when your display reduces its brightness or turns off completely after a period of inactivity. This can be caused by the power and battery settings or the screen saver settings.
Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues: This is when your display shows blurry text, icons, or images or does not fit the screen properly. This can be caused by the display resolution or scaling settings or the app compatibility settings.
To troubleshoot these issues on Windows 11, follow these steps:
1. Screen Flickering Issues
To troubleshoot screen flickering issues, check to see if Task Manager flickers. To do this, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If Task Manager flickers along with the rest of the screen, then it is likely a display driver issue.
To fix this, update, rollback, or uninstall your display driver. To do this, go to Start > Settings > System > Device manager > Display adapters > Right-click on your display adapter > Select Update driver, Roll back driver, or Uninstall device.
If Task Manager does not flicker along with the rest of the screen, then it is likely an incompatible app issue. To fix this, update or uninstall the app that is causing the problem.
2. Screen Dimming or Turning Off Issues
To troubleshoot screen dimming or turning off issues, adjust your power and battery settings and your screen saver settings. To do this, go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep.
Under Screen brightness and color, toggle off Change brightness automatically when lighting changes. Under Sleep mode settings for battery and plugged in modes, select Never from the drop-down menus. Under Screen saver settings, select None from the drop-down menu.
3. Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues
To troubleshoot screen resolution or scaling issues, adjust your display resolution or scaling settings and your app compatibility settings. To do this, go to Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings.
Under Resolution and Scaling options for each monitor connected to your device , select the recommended resolution and scaling percentage from the drop-down menus. Under App compatibility options for each monitor connected to your device , toggle on Let Windows try to fix apps so they’re not blurry.
4. How to Troubleshoot Display Issues on Windows 10
Windows 10 is the previous version of Microsoft’s operating system that also offers various display features and settings, such as adaptive brightness, sleep mode, screen saver, and multiple monitors.
However, these features and settings can also cause some display issues if they are not configured properly or if they conflict with other software or hardware.
Some common display issues on Windows 10 are:
Screen Flickering: This is when your display flashes or changes brightness rapidly. This can be caused by a display driver issue or an incompatible app.
Screen Dimming or Turning off: This is when your display reduces its brightness or turns off completely after a period of inactivity. This can be caused by the power and sleep settings or the screen saver settings.
Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues: This is when your display shows blurry text, icons, or images or does not fit the screen properly. This can be caused by the display resolution or scaling settings or the app compatibility settings.
5. Screen Flickering Issues
To troubleshoot screen flickering issues, check to see if Task Manager flickers. To do this, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If Task Manager flickers along with the rest of the screen, then it is likely a display driver issue.
To fix this, update, rollback, or uninstall your display driver. To do this, go to Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings > Display adapter properties > Driver tab > Select Update driver, Roll back driver, or Uninstall device.
If Task Manager does not flicker along with the rest of the screen, then it is likely an incompatible app issue. To fix this, update or uninstall the app that is causing the problem.
6. Screen Dimming or Turning Off Issues
To troubleshoot screen dimming or turning off issues, adjust your power and sleep settings and your screen saver settings. To do this, go to Start > Settings > System > Power & sleep. Under Screen settings for battery and plugged in modes, select Never from the drop-down menus.
Under Sleep settings for battery and plugged in modes, select Never from the drop-down menus. Right-click on the desktop and select Personalize. Under Lock screen settings, click Screen saver settings. Select None from the drop-down menu.
7. Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues
To troubleshoot screen resolution or scaling issues, adjust your display resolution or scaling settings and your app compatibility settings. To do this, go to Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings.
Under Resolution and Scale and layout options for each monitor connected to your device , select the recommended resolution and scaling percentage from the drop-down menus. Right-click on the app icon and select Properties.
Under Compatibility tab, check Override high DPI scaling behavior and select System from the drop-down menu.
8. How to Troubleshoot Display Issues on Mac OS
Mac OS is Apple’s operating system that runs on Mac computers and laptops. It also offers various display features and settings, such as automatic brightness adjustment, energy saver mode, and screen saver.
However, these features and settings can also cause some display issues if they are not configured properly or if they conflict with other software or hardware.
Some common display issues on Mac OS are:
Screen Flickering: This is when your display flashes or changes brightness rapidly. This can be caused by a display driver issue or an incompatible app.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off: This is when your display reduces its brightness or turns off completely after a period of inactivity. This can be caused by the energy saver settings or the screen saver settings.
Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues: This is when your display shows blurry text, icons, or images or does not fit the screen properly. This can be caused by the display resolution or scaling settings or the app compatibility settings.
9. Screen Flickering Issues
To troubleshoot screen flickering issues, check to see if the issue occurs in safe mode. To do this, restart your Mac and hold the Shift key until you see the login window. If the issue does not occur in safe mode, then it is likely a software issue.
To fix this, update your Mac OS and your apps to the latest versions. To do this, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update. If the issue still occurs in safe mode, then it is likely a hardware issue. To fix this, contact Apple support or an authorized service provider.
10. Screen Dimming or Turning Off Issues
To troubleshoot screen dimming or turning off issues, adjust your energy saver settings and your screen saver settings. To do this, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Energy Saver.
Under Battery tab and Power Adapter tab, drag the sliders for Turn display off after to Never. Under Screen Saver tab, select Start after and choose Never from the drop-down menu.
11. Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues
To troubleshoot screen resolution or scaling issues, adjust your display resolution or scaling settings and your app compatibility settings. To do this, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays.
Under Display tab, select Scaled and choose the recommended resolution from the list of options. Under Color tab, select Default for display from the list of profiles. Right-click on the app icon and select Get Info. Under General section, check Open in Low Resolution.
How to Troubleshoot Display Issues on Android
Android is Google’s operating system that runs on smartphones and tablets. It also offers various display features and settings, such as adaptive brightness, battery saver mode, and screen timeout.
However, these features and settings can also cause some display issues if they are not configured properly or if they conflict with other software or hardware.
Some common display issues on Android are:
Screen Flickering: This is when your display flashes or changes brightness rapidly. This can be caused by a display driver issue or an incompatible app.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off: This is when your display reduces its brightness or turns off completely after a period of inactivity. This can be caused by the battery saver settings or the screen timeout settings.
Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues: This is when your display shows blurry text, icons, or images or does not fit the screen properly. This can be caused by the display resolution or scaling settings or the app compatibility settings.
Screen Flickering Issues
To troubleshoot screen flickering issues, check to see if the issue occurs in safe mode. To do this, press and hold the power button until you see the power menu. Tap and hold the Power off option until you see the Reboot to safe mode option.
Tap OK to confirm. If the issue does not occur in safe mode, then it is likely a software issue. To fix this, update your Android OS and your apps to the latest versions.
To do this, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. If the issue still occurs in safe mode, then it is likely a hardware issue. To fix this, contact your device manufacturer or an authorized service provider.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off Issues
To troubleshoot screen dimming or turning off issues, adjust your battery saver settings and your screen timeout settings. To do this, go to Settings > Battery > Battery saver. Toggle off Turn on automatically or Turn on now. Go to Settings > Display > Advanced > Screen timeout. Select None from the list of options.
Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues
To troubleshoot screen resolution or scaling issues, adjust your display resolution or scaling settings and your app compatibility settings. To do this, go to Settings > Display > Advanced > Display size. Drag the slider to adjust the size of items on your screen.
Go to Settings > Display > Advanced > Screen resolution. Select the recommended resolution from the list of options. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Select the app that is causing the problem > Advanced > Display over other apps. Toggle off Allow display over other apps.
How to Troubleshoot Display Issues on Android
Android is Google’s operating system that runs on smartphones and tablets. It also offers various display features and settings, such as adaptive brightness, battery saver mode, and screen timeout.
However, these features and settings can also cause some display issues if they are not configured properly or if they conflict with other software or hardware.
Some common display issues on Android are:
Screen Flickering: This is when your display flashes or changes brightness rapidly. This can be caused by a display driver issue or an incompatible app.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off: This is when your display reduces its brightness or turns off completely after a period of inactivity. This can be caused by the battery saver settings or the screen timeout settings.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off: This is when your display reduces its brightness or turns off completely after a period of inactivity. This can be caused by the battery saver settings or the screen timeout settings.
Screen Flickering Issues
To troubleshoot screen flickering issues, check to see if the issue occurs in safe mode. To do this, press and hold the power button until you see the power menu. Tap and hold the Power off option until you see the Reboot to safe mode option.
Tap OK to confirm. If the issue does not occur in safe mode, then it is likely a software issue. To fix this, update your Android OS and your apps to the latest versions.
To do this, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. If the issue still occurs in safe mode, then it is likely a hardware issue. To fix this, contact your device manufacturer or an authorized service provider.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off Issues
To troubleshoot screen dimming or turning off issues, adjust your battery saver settings and your screen timeout settings. To do this, go to Settings > Battery > Battery saver. Toggle off Turn on automatically or Turn on now. Go to Settings > Display > Advanced > Screen timeout. Select None from the list of options.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off Issues
To troubleshoot screen resolution or scaling issues, adjust your display resolution or scaling settings and your app compatibility settings. To do this, go to Settings > Display > Advanced > Display size. Drag the slider to adjust the size of items on your screen.
Go to Settings > Display > Advanced > Screen resolution. Select the recommended resolution from the list of options. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Select the app that is causing the problem > Advanced > Display over other apps. Toggle off Allow display over other apps.
How to Troubleshoot Display Issues on iOS
iOS is Apple’s operating system that runs on iPhones and iPads. It also offers various display features and settings, such as auto-brightness, low power mode, and auto-lock.
However, these features and settings can also cause some display issues if they are not configured properly or if they conflict with other software or hardware.
Some common display issues on iOS are:
Screen Flickering: This is when your display flashes or changes brightness rapidly. This can be caused by a display driver issue or an incompatible app.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off: This is when your display reduces its brightness or turns off completely after a period of inactivity. This can be caused by the low power mode settings or the auto-lock settings.
Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues: This is when your display shows blurry text, icons, or images or does not fit the screen properly. This can be caused by the display resolution or scaling settings or the app compatibility settings.
Screen Flickering Issues
To troubleshoot screen flickering issues, check to see if the issue occurs in recovery mode. To do this, connect your device to a computer and open iTunes.
Press and hold the power button and the home button (or the volume down button for iPhone 7 and later) until you see the recovery mode screen. If the issue does not occur in recovery mode, then it is likely a software issue.
To fix this, update your iOS and your apps to the latest versions. To do this, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If the issue still occurs in recovery mode, then it is likely a hardware issue. To fix this, contact Apple support or an authorized service provider.
Screen Dimming or Turning Off Issues
To troubleshoot screen dimming or turning off issues, adjust your low power mode settings and your auto-lock settings. To do this, go to Settings > Battery. Toggle off Low Power Mode. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. Select Never from the list of options.
Screen Resolution or Scaling Issues
To troubleshoot screen resolution or scaling issues, adjust your display resolution or scaling settings and your app compatibility settings. To do this, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom.
Select Standard from the list of options. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. Toggle off Bold Text and Larger Text. Right-click on the app icon and select Get Info. Under General section, check Open in Low Resolution.
Conclusion
Display issues can be annoying and inconvenient for any device user. They can affect your viewing experience, productivity, and preferences. However, you can troubleshoot some common display issues on different devices and operating systems by following some simple steps.
In this blog post, we have shown you how to troubleshoot some common display issues on Windows 11, Windows 10, Mac OS, Android, and iOS. We have also explained what are the possible causes of each issue and how to prevent them from happening again.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand what display issues are and how to troubleshoot them on your device. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. We would love to hear from you.
