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My Monitor Won’t Show the Correct Resolution Settings

monitor resolution settings

If you’ve gotten a new monitor or maybe your old monitor stopped displaying in the right resolution, there are several possibilities that can cause this:

  • Your application software or operating system may not be compatible with the monitor’s technology
  • Settings may need to be modified on the monitor itself – this varies among manufacturers
  • Graphics settings may need to be reconfigured if your system includes items such as video/graphics cards
  • You may need new or updated drivers to get the full benefits of your new monitor’s capabilities

Trouble-shooting Monitor Resolution Settings

Several troubleshooting steps can be taken when the monitor won’t show the correct resolution settings:

  • If the monitor came with an interface cable, make sure you’ve used it for your installation.
    • Cables can make a significant difference in monitor function, such as when connecting to an HDMI graphics card vs. a VGA connection.
    • Avoid the use of adapters that can introduce problems of their own.
  • Check your connections, to ensure they’re secure and connected to the appropriate port on your computer.
  • Make sure your video card supports the level of resolution your monitor provides. Your video driver may be the issue, not the monitor driver.
  • If you have a similar monitor, connect that one in the same way, to eliminate a possible hardware problem with your new monitor.
  • Double-check your system’s configuration, such as in Windows display resolution settings. Advanced Display settings allow you to select a variety of pixel resolution options.
  • If your resolution problem is with a specific program or game, make sure any display options for that program match your monitor’s capability.

Finding the Right Driver for Your Graphics Card

If your monitor is having problems with resolution, it’s probably your graphics card! If you’re getting a display, but it isn’t displaying properly, it’s probably just a matter of updating your graphics card’s driver. If you’re not getting a display at all, find your monitor in these guides and see if there’s a fix.

Updating drivers is a relatively simple process. Often your operating system will recognize a new device and either prompt you to load the driver that the manufacturer provides with the monitor, or direct you to the manufacturer’s support site to download the appropriate driver.

Identifying the exact driver that will resolve the problem of not showing the correct resolution settings for your monitor may be a challenge, for several reasons:

  • Manufacturer websites may offer a laundry list of drivers, depending on your operating system, version, and other devices in your computer. Navigating through the options can be time-consuming and confusing.
  • Many websites offer drivers for download – some of questionable reliability and integrity.
  • Drivers from unauthorized sites may not support all the features of your new monitor.

Your first attempt at getting the resolution settings you expect from your monitor is to check the installation instructions (those documents that none of us read), to make sure you haven’t missed any basic setup steps.

If that fails to produce the resolution settings anticipated, drivers are your next step.

What Are Drivers and Why Do You Need Them?

Drivers are small programs that your computer operating system uses to communicate efficiently with your devices. Device manufacturers or operating system providers create driver programs to enable your system to recognize and operate its many devices:

  • Graphics cards
  • Monitors
  • Storage devices
  • Printers

Without the right combination of operating system, devices, and drivers, your system will not work efficiently – if at all.

Beating the Driver Frustration Experience

Locating and installing the correct driver that will provide the complete set of resolution settings for your monitor can be simplified by using a service that can scan your computer for all devices, then locate the right driver for each unit. There are some considerable benefits to be gained from enrolling in such a program:

  • Ease of obtaining the right drivers for all your devices, ensuring the proper resolution for your monitors
  • Elimination of frustration and time wasted searching for drivers
  • Updates of manufacturers’ drivers as they become available
  • Safe, secure downloads
  • Support from expert technicians

DriverSupport has the technical expertise that can solve all your driver problems. Our driver scanning technology assures that your system matches all your devices with the correct drivers for optimum performance of every component. Give DriverSupport | ONE a try today! today to learn more.