How to fix lines on a monitor screen on Windows 10

Monitors are plug and play. They’re some of the easiest hardware to set up and you’ll find they’re easy to connect to almost any laptop model that’s not a Macbook. The only thing you’ll be concerned with is the color profile that a monitor supports, its resolution, and the screen size. All of those you can check before you actually buy a monitor and it’s smooth sailing from there. If you’ve been using a monitor for a while and are suddenly seeing lines on the screen, you likely have a hardware problem. If you’re lucky, the problem won’t cost too much to fix.

Using a 4K monitor? Make sure you have it set up correctly.

how to fix lines on a monitor screen on windows 10 How to fix lines on a monitor screen on Windows 10

HDMI/VGA/DVI Cable

The first thing you should check when you start seeing lines on a monitor screen is the cable that you use to connect to it. Examine it closely to see if it’s damaged. You might see pins that have broken or pins that are bent out of place. In some cases, it might be obvious that the cable is damaged. In other cases, it won’t be. It’s probably a good idea to just change the cable out with a new one. They’re cheap and easily available.

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Additionally, make sure the cable isn’t unnecessarily coiled or wrapped up too tight. These cables are stiff to say the least and for good reason. If you coil it too much, it might cause damage inside the cable.

Power cable

Check the power cable for the monitor. Make sure it’s connected properly. If you’re using an extension board, make sure that the plug is connected securely. Electronic fluctuations may cause lines on the screen to appear. If you let it go on too long, it might damage your monitor. Change the cable. Again, it’s cheap so it won’t put you out too much.

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Connecting ports

This is the next thing you should check once you’ve checked both the connecting and power cables. The port on your laptop/desktop and the monitor might both have come loose. Unfortunately, this isn’t something you can tell easily but check if the cable if fitting securely. Ideally, any cable connected to a port shouldn’t ‘jiggle’ around. If you’re not sure, you can have the hardware taken in and checked out by a professional.

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Update display drivers

In some cases, this might be a software issue. Check if the display driver has recently been updated. It may cause problems but it is highly unlikely that it does. Still, given this is Windows 10, the chance is always there.

Overclocked GPU

If you’ve overclocked your GPU, it might be having trouble sending signals to the monitor. It may have worked fine for a while but problems can surface at any point. There’s not much you can do unless you’re willing to return the GPU to its stock settings.

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A line across the screen

This is not for regular LCD or LED monitors. A long, long time ago, monitors used to be big square boxes that looked like television sets. They’re no longer manufactured but those that are still around and in use are sturdy enough to last another few decades. These monitors used a technology called CRT or cathode ray tube which is a fancy name for a picture tube. When this tube reaches the end of its life, a white line shows across the screen. If you happen to have one of these monitors and you’re seeing this single white line, unplug your monitor. It’s time for an upgrade.

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If all else fails, you should take your monitor in for a check-up.

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