Resolution/Aspect Ratio Check
Complexity: Easy | Time: 5 min
Incorrect resolution or aspect ratio settings can cause your display to appear stretched, blurry, or not fit the screen properly. This often happens after connecting a new monitor, updating drivers, or changing display settings.
This guide will help you check and correct your resolution and aspect ratio to ensure your display looks clear and properly scaled.
Why Should I Check Resolution and Aspect Ratio?
You may need to check your display settings if you experience:
• Stretched or squashed screen
• Black bars on the sides or top/bottom of the screen
• Blurry or unclear text and images
• Screen not filling the entire monitor
• Incorrect display after connecting a new monitor or TV
These issues are commonly caused by incorrect resolution or scaling settings.
Steps to Check Resolution and Aspect Ratio
Right-Click On Your Desktop
• Select Display settings from the menu
• Scroll down to find Display resolution
Set the Resolution to the Recommend Option
• Choose the option marked (Recommended)
• This is the native resolution of your monitor
Check the Display Scale (If Applicable)
• Ensure Scale is set to a standard value such as 100% or 125%
Confirm the Aspect Ratio
• Most monitors use 16:9 (e.g., 1920×1080, 2560×1440)
• Avoid resolutions that do not match your screen’s native ratio
Apply Changes and Check Your Display
• Click Keep changes when prompted
• Ensure the screen is no longer stretched or blurry and fits correctly.
Setting Resolution Correctly In-Game
Even if your desktop resolution is correct, some games may use different settings, which can cause display issues. The below steps are more broad as each game will have different settings.
Open Game Settings and Check Resolution
• Navigate to Graphics, Video, or Display Settings
• Choose the same resolution as your desktop (e.g., 1920×1080 or 2560×1440)
Check Display Mode and Confirm Aspect Ratio
• Use Fullscreen or Borderless Fullscreen for the best results
• Ensure it is set to Auto, 16:9, or matches your monitor’s ratio
Disable Resolution Scaling (If Enabled)
• Some games include settings like Render Scale or Resolution Scale
• Set this to 100% for a clear image
• Save your settings and verify the game displays correctly
What's Next?
After fixing the resolution and aspect ratio, double check that all games, aps, and web browsers look correct.
If you need further assistance or have any questions, feel free to reach out for additional support - we're always happy to help!
