If the edges of your computer monitor display are getting cut off or cropped in Windows 10, it can be extremely frustrating.
However, the good news is that this issue can often be resolved with a few simple troubleshooting steps.
This guide will walk through all the potential causes and fixes to get your display back to normal.
What Causes Monitor Edge Cutoff in Windows 10?
There are a few common culprits that can cause monitor edges to be cut off or cropped in Windows 10:
1. Incorrect Display Settings
The most common cause is incorrect or unsupported display settings.
If the resolution or aspect ratio set in Windows does not match your monitor’s native resolution, it can result in a cropped display.
For example, setting a 16:9 widescreen monitor to a 4:3 resolution will cut off the edges.
Setting a higher resolution than what the monitor supports can also lead to edge cropping.
2. Outdated, Faulty or Generic Drivers
Using outdated, corrupt or generic display drivers can also wreak havoc with display configurations in Windows 10.
Generic Microsoft Basic Display Adapter drivers will often lead to display issues.
3. Hardware Issues
Problems with monitor hardware, cables, and connectors can also manifest as edge cropping of the display.
Issues like loose cables, bent connector pins, and even monitor hardware failures can distort the output.
4. Graphics Card Problems
Faulty, dying, or incompatible graphics cards are another common source of display errors like edge cropping.
Display issues can occur if the graphics card is not fully compatible with the monitor’s resolution and timings.
Now that we’ve examined why this problem occurs, let’s move on to the step-by-step solutions and fixes…
How to Fix Monitor Edge Cutoff in Windows 10
Follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve monitor edge cropping in Windows 10:
1. Check Display Settings
The first thing to check is your display settings in Windows. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings and go to System > Display.
Check if the correct resolution and aspect ratio is set for your monitor.
Refer to your monitor manual or specs online to find the native resolution. Set this resolution in Windows.
If you have multiple monitors, ensure the correct one is set as the primary display.
2. Update or Reinstall Drivers
If display settings are correct, but the problem persists, the next step is to update your graphics drivers.
Go to the website of your graphics card manufacturer, like NVIDIA, AMD or Intel and get the latest drivers. Install these drivers and restart your PC.
If updating does not help, try uninstalling the existing drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU). Then, do a clean reinstall of the latest drivers.
3. Change Cables and Connections
Faulty cables and connectors can also distort the video output.
Check that the video cable between your monitor and PC is securely plugged in at both ends.
Try using a different video cable if you have a spare one. Or connect the monitor to another output port on your graphics card if available.
4. Adjust Monitor Settings
Your monitor may also have settings that need adjustment. Check your monitor menu/OSD and make sure Overscan is turned off.
Also disable any stretching or scaling options. Refer to your monitor manual for recommended settings.
5. Check for Monitor Hardware Issues
If display settings, drivers and cables are fine, your monitor itself may have developed a fault. Check for any cracked or damaged cables and connectors.
Try connecting your monitor to another PC or video source. If the edge cropping persists, your monitor likely has a hardware issue that requires professional repair.
6. Use Correct Aspect Ratio Scaling
Incorrect aspect ratio scaling can also cause edge cutoff in Windows 10.
Go to Display settings > Scale and layout, and adjust the aspect ratio scaling to suit your display.
Set it to Maintain display scaling to avoid overscan cropping if possible.
7. Perform a Clean Reinstall of Windows
As a last resort, perform a clean reinstall of Windows 10 to eliminate any residual configuration errors causing the edge cropping.
Back up your data and choose the Remove Everything option during Windows installation.
Install the latest graphics drivers after reinstalling Windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions related to dealing with monitor edge cutoff in Windows 10:
Ques 1: Why are the edges of my monitor display getting cut off?
Ans: This issue is usually caused by incorrect display settings, outdated drivers, hardware problems or aspect ratio scaling problems.
The native resolution or aspect settings may not match your monitor.
Ques 2: How do I find my monitor’s native resolution?
Ans: Check your monitor manual or specifications online to find the max/native resolution and aspect ratio it supports.
Set this in the Display settings in Windows.
Ques 3: I changed resolutions but part of my screen is still cut off?
Ans: Adjust scaling settings to match your monitor’s aspect ratio, like 16:9 or 21:9. Turn off Overscan in monitor settings if available.
Ques 4: How can I get the full native resolution on my 4K monitor in Windows 10?
Ans: Ensure your graphics card supports 4K output. Install the latest drivers and set the max resolution for your monitor in Windows Display settings.
Ques 5: Why does my second monitor have cut-off edges in extended desktop mode?
Ans: Ensure the correct native resolution is set for each monitor in multi-display setups. Adjust their positioning and scaling options individually.
Ques 6: I get black bars instead of cut-off edges; how can I fix this?
Ans: Black bars usually mean the aspect ratio set does not match your monitor’s native ratio. Change the aspect mode in Windows Display settings to fill the screen.
Conclusion
Following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide should help resolve most cases of monitor edge cropping in Windows 10.
Let us know in the comments if you need any clarifications!
