Solve problems with a monitor

Your PC is next to useless without a fully functioning monitor so, if it starts playing up, it can leave you feeling totally frustrated. As with most computer problems, the solution is often a fairly simple one and, in the majority of cases, you will be able to get your monitor back up and running within a matter of seconds. One of the most annoying display problems is having a monitor that refuses to display anything at all. If there are no messages on the screen and no lit LEDs on the monitor, it’s most likely a power issue. First, check that the power cable is securely attached at the rear of the monitor and that the mains socket it’s plugged into is switched on. The next step is to try using a different power cable (the one that powers your printer, for example) to check whether the cable itself is at fault; if this solves the problem, it could be a blown fuse in the plug of the original cable that’s the culprit.

If the monitor appears to be powered (it has a lit LED, for example), check the cable that connects the monitor to your computer is securely attached at both ends. It’s also worth checking that the monitor is set to the correct input. Exactly how the switch inputs will depend on the make of your monitor, but there’s often a dedicated input button on the monitor itself. Once you’ve located this, cycle through the available inputs. If this doesn’t work, and there’s no ‘out of range’ message (see Step 4), it could be a problem with the graphics card. If you’re happy opening up your PC, it’s worth checking that the graphics card hasn’t become dislodged.

Every LCD monitor has a specific resolution (known as native resolution) at which it’s meant to be run. If text and icons appear blurry, it’s likely because the monitor is set to the wrong resolution. Changing resolutions isn’t tricky. Both Windows 7 and Vista are able to detect the native resolution for your monitor so, to change to it, right-click the desktop, select Screen Resolution and, from the Resolution dropdown menu, choose the entry that has ‘Recommended’ next to it. In XP, right-click the desktop, select Properties and then, within the Settings tab, use the resolution slider bar to change to your monitor’s native resolution; this is usually the highest available setting, but it’s best to check by consulting your monitor’s manual.

Monitors can’t handle all resolutions and if you select one that’s too high the screen will go blank followed by a message such as ‘out of range’. When you change the resolution, Windows will automatically switch back to the original if the ‘Keep changes’ button isn’t clicked within 15 seconds. However, if you’ve attached a new monitor to a computer that’s already set to a resolution that’s out of the monitor’s range, this automatic switch won’t occur. Instead, you’ll need to boot into Safe Mode. Restart the computer and tap the F8 key until the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. From here, select Safe Mode. When Safe Mode loads, access the resolution settings as in Step 3, select either the ‘Recommended’ resolution or the lowest one available, then restart your computer.

When you switch on an LCD monitor, it will usually perform a few adjustments so that the image appears on the screen correctly. However, it doesn’t always get it right, resulting in an image that appears off-centre with a portion of the desktop missing. The majority of monitors have an Auto Adjust feature that can solve this problem. Some monitors have a dedicated button (usually labelled Auto) that just needs pressing, but others require you to access the on-screen menu and locate the Auto Adjust feature; your monitor’s manual will be able to help if you can’t find the Auto Adjust feature. Once activated, the screen will quickly recalibrate itself.

If your monitor suddenly takes on a strange tint (for example a pink or green hue), it’s easy to assume something’s gone badly wrong. The good news is that this problem is usually very easily fixed. More often than not, it’s simply caused by the cable connecting the monitor to the PC coming slightly loose. Check both ends of the cable and ensure they’re fully inserted. To make sure it doesn’t happen again, tighten the screws that attach the cable to the monitor and computer. If this doesn’t solve your problem, it could be a faulty cable, in which case it will need replacing.