Artifacts on your display can be caused by a variety of problems, ranging from a failing graphics card to a corrupted installation of your display driver. Here we’ll look at some of the most common reasons why artifacts may be appearing on your screen and the steps you can take to fix the issue.
1. Check Your Graphics Card
The first thing to do when you notice any type of artifacting on your display is to check your graphics card. If the card is malfunctioning or damaged then it can cause the artifacts to appear onscreen. To check if the card is to blame, try using a different graphics card in your computer or use an external graphics card with your laptop. If the artifacts do not disappear, it’s likely not a problem related to the graphics card.
2. Update Your Display Drivers
Outdated or incorrect display drivers can also cause artifacts to appear on your screen. To ensure this isn’t the issue, make sure your display drivers are up to date. You can do this by going to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest driver for your model of display. Once installed, restart your computer to ensure the changes have taken effect.
3. Check Your Cables
If your cables are faulty they can cause artifacts to appear on your display. Make sure all the connections are secure and that there are no fraying cables or loose pins. If the cables look to be in good condition, try switching them with new ones to see if that solves the problem.
4. Reset the Display
Sometimes even with updated drivers and securely connected cables, artifacts may still be present. In this case you can try resetting the display to its factory settings which can help clear out any corrupt or outdated settings that may be causing the issue. Depending on your model of display, this can be done either through the onscreen menu or through special buttons on the display itself.
5. Clean Your Display
Dust, dirt and other debris can also build up on your display over time and obstruct the display’s ability to properly render images. To ensure this isn’t the issue, clean your display using a soft cloth and a mild detergent or LCD cleaning solution. Make sure you don’t use any harsh chemicals as this can damage the display.
6. Check Your Video Card Settings
Sometimes, artifacting can occur when the wrong video card settings are used. To make sure this isn’t the issue, open your graphics card’s control panel and check the settings. If possible, reset the settings to their default values and then try running a game or application to see if the artifacts have been resolved.
7. Check Your Power Supply
Finally, artifacts can also occur due to insufficient power being supplied to the display. If possible, try replacing the power cable with a higher-powered one to ensure this isn’t the issue. Additionally, if the power supply is faulty, you may need to replace it entirely in order to resolve the issue.
By taking the steps outlined above, you should be able to find and fix the cause of any artifacts appearing on your display. If none of the solutions above work, it’s likely there’s a more serious issue with your display or graphics card that needs to be fixed by a professional.