HP Notebook and All-in-One PCs - Troubleshooting screen issues (Windows 11, 10)
This document provides solutions to a variety of problems that can occur with notebook and All-in-One screens such as blurry text, poor video performance, black or white screens, or damaged hardware.
Find a section that matches the problem with your screen, and then follow the steps to resolve the issue.
Image on screen has fuzzy text, is blurry, or is stretched
Fuzzy text, images that are slightly blurry around the edges, or images that are stretched and out of proportion can be caused by improper screen resolution, incorrect graphics driver settings, or outdated BIOS or graphics drivers.
Blurry display
Correct display
Stretched screen
Image displayed correctly
Use the following steps to resolve a fuzzy, blurry, or stretched image.
Restart the computer
Some display problems resolve automatically when the computer is restarted.
If the image and text quality are corrected after restarting the computer, you are done troubleshooting.
If the problem persists, continue to the next step.
Adjust the display resolution
Some display problems can be resolved by adjusting the resolution.
For instance, video games often switch the resolution while the game is running to optimize frame rates and graphic quality. If the game shuts down or exits improperly, the resolution might not be restored to the original settings.
Note:
The native (recommended) display resolution produces the sharpest, most precise image on the screen. Resolutions above or below the native display resolution can cause a fuzzy or distorted image.
Update the graphics driver software
Some image and text quality issues can be corrected by installing an updated graphics driver. Automatically search for updated graphics driver software using HP Support Assistant (recommended), or using Windows Update.
Update the PC with HP Support Assistant
Use HP Support Assistant to find and install updates, including BIOS updates, for your computer with Windows.
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In Windows, search for and open HP Support Assistant, or click the app icon
in the taskbar.
If the app is not installed on your computer, download the latest version from the HP Support Assistant website.
Run Windows Update
Update your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer using Windows Update.
Download and install the latest BIOS and graphics drivers from HP
See the following support documents for more information about updating the BIOS and graphics drivers from HP.
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To update the graphics driver, go to the Find driver updates on the HP website section of the HP document HP PCs - Downloading or updating software and drivers.
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Notebook BIOS update: For instructions to update the BIOS, see HP Consumer Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows) or HP Business Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
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All-in-One BIOS update: For instructions to update the BIOS, see HP Consumer Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows) or HP Business Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
Image on screen shrinks when an external monitor is connected
When you view the same image on both the notebook or All-in-One screen and an external screen (such as a monitor, projector, or television), the image displayed on the computer might shrink to a lower resolution, with black borders around the edges of the reduced screen. s
This issue can occur when the native display resolution of the computer and the resolution of the external monitor are not the same. When the graphic control detects two monitors, it usually defaults to the lower resolution for both devices.
To resolve this issue, disconnect the external monitor to verify that the resolution on the computer returns to the desired settings. Reconnect the external monitor, and then adjust the resolution settings for each device using one of the following methods.
Control the graphics display using advanced graphics maintenance
Certain computer models that feature a high-performance chip or secondary graphics processing unit (GPU) have an advanced graphics maintenance function. Names of advanced graphics options vary.
To use an advanced graphics maintenance function (if available) to control the graphics display, right-click the desktop, and then select one of the following options:
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Graphics Properties or Graphics Options (Intel)
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Vision engine or Catalyst Control (AMD)
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Nvidia Control Panel (Nvidia)
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If the problem persists, check for and install any updates to the computer graphics adapter and BIOS firmware.
See the following support documents for more information.
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To update the graphics driver, go to the Find driver updates on the HP website section of the HP document HP PCs - Downloading or updating software and drivers.
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Notebook BIOS update: For instructions to update the BIOS, see HP Consumer Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows) or HP Business Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
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All-in-One BIOS update: For instructions to update the BIOS, see HP Consumer Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows) or HP Business Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
Image on the screen has small dark or light dots
Because of the nature of LCD technology, a certain number of dots (pixels) might not be displayed correctly. If the display has too many pixel defects within a certain area, the defects might obstruct proper viewing of images on the display.
Install the latest BIOS and graphics drivers to eliminate any potential software display problems.
See the following support documents for more information.
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To update the graphics driver, go to the Find driver updates on the HP website section of the HP document HP PCs - Downloading or updating software and drivers.
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Notebook BIOS update: For instructions to update the BIOS, see HP Consumer Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows) or HP Business Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
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All-in-One BIOS update: For instructions to update the BIOS, see HP Consumer Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows) or HP Business Desktop PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
For more information about pixel defects, see HP Notebook PCs and Tablets - Learning About LCD Panel Defects and Terminology.
Image on the screen flickers, has lines or distorted colors
The following conditions indicate a problem with the screen or other computer hardware. There are no adjustments or corrective actions for the conditions in this section and the screen requires repair.
Flickering screen
Vertical lines in the display
Solid horizontal green line
Incorrect colors
Image on the screen has multiple horizontal or vertical jagged lines, or large white or black areas
A cracked LCD screen displays damage in a number of different patterns. This type of physical damage can be detected as early as the BIOS-level startup operations, before the computer boots into Windows (or any other operating system).
The screen must be replaced. There are no actions available to correct this problem. The computer can be used by connecting it to an external monitor.
Horizontal and vertical lines and large white area
Diagonal or jagged lines
HP recommends using an authorized repair center for repairing or replacing a damaged display. For additional information, see HP PCs and Monitors - Damaged screen, LCD, or display.
No image on the screen, or the screen is blank
If the computer screen remains black or blank, and there are no error messages on the screen, you must determine if this blank screen is caused by a problem with the display panel or a problem starting the computer.
To test for a defective display panel, use the following steps:
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