How to Change Your Screen Resolution

Edited 8 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Screen ResolutionDisplayComputersWindowsMacDevicesSettingsPerformanceCustomizationHardware

Screen resolution refers to the clarity and detail of images and text displayed on your computer screen. Measured in pixels, higher resolution means more detail and clearer images. Changing your screen resolution based on your needs and your monitor's capabilities can improve your viewing experience. Here's a detailed guide on how to change your screen resolution on different operating systems.

Understanding screen resolution

Before you change your screen resolution, it's important to understand what it involves. Screen resolution is defined by the number of pixels it can display in each dimension. Common resolutions are:

• 720p: 1280 x 720 pixels
• 1080p: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• 1440p: 2560 x 1440 pixels
• 4K: 3840 x 2160 pixels

Higher resolutions produce sharper images, but require more from your graphics hardware. Make sure your monitor and graphics card support the resolution you want to set.

Changing the screen resolution on Windows

Windows 10

Here’s how you can change your screen resolution on a Windows 10 machine:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select "Display Settings."
2. Scroll down to the "Display Resolution" section.
3. Click on the dropdown menu and select the resolution you want.
4. Click "Apply".
5. A prompt will ask if you want to keep the changes. Click "Keep Changes" if you're satisfied, or click "Revert" to go back.

Here is a simple example of changing the resolution using Windows PowerShell:

Get-DisplayResolution Set-DisplayResolution -Width 1920 -Height 1080 Get-DisplayResolution Set-DisplayResolution -Width 1920 -Height 1080

Windows 7 and 8

1. Right-click on the desktop and select "Screen Resolution."
2. In the "Resolution" dropdown, select the preferred resolution.
3. Click "Apply".
4. If prompted, confirm the changes by clicking "Keep Changes."

Changing the screen resolution on macOS

If you're using an Apple computer, follow these steps to change your screen resolution:

1. Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner and select "System Preferences."
2. Click "Display."
3. Go to the "Display" tab.
4. Select "Scaled" to view the available resolutions.
5. Select your preferred resolution from the list.
6. Your screen will automatically adjust to the new resolution.

Changing the screen resolution on Linux

Users working on the Linux operating system can change their screen resolution as follows:

Using the GUI

If you're using the graphical user interface (GUI), follow these steps:

1. Go to "Settings" or "System Settings".
2. Select "Display" or "Performance".
3. Find the Resolution section and select the resolution you want from the dropdown menu.
4. Click “Apply” to confirm your choice.

Using the terminal

If you prefer to use the command line, here is a simple way to change the resolution using xrandr:

xrandr -q xrandr -s 1920x1080 xrandr -q xrandr -s 1920x1080

Troubleshooting screen resolution issues

Sometimes, you may encounter problems when changing the screen resolution. Here are common problems and solutions:

Unsupported resolutions

If the resolution you selected is not supported by your monitor, the screen may go blank or display an error. Wait until the system returns to the original resolution or restart your computer in safe mode to reset the resolution.

Blurred or distorted display

If images or text appear blurry, make sure you're using the recommended resolution for your monitor. You can usually find this information in the monitor's manual or on the manufacturer's website.

Applications that do not fit the screen

Sometimes, applications may not scale correctly with the new resolution. Check the application settings for any options related to display scaling. You can also adjust the scaling options in your operating system's display settings.

Additional tips and ideas

Refresh rate

When changing the resolution, you may also see the term "refresh rate." This measures how many times your screen updates per second. For better visuals, especially when gaming or watching videos, a higher refresh rate is better. Make sure your monitor can support the desired refresh rate along with the resolution.

Custom resolution

Advanced users can create custom resolutions. However, caution is advised. Incorrect settings can damage your monitor or graphics card. Refer to your hardware manual or seek professional advice if you are unsure.

Multi-monitor setup

If you are using more than one monitor, you can set different resolutions for each. This is useful when the monitors have different sizes or capabilities. Adjust the settings for each monitor separately under Display Settings.

Conclusion

Changing your screen resolution can greatly improve your computing experience, as it will give you clearer images and more desktop space. Whether you're using Windows, macOS or Linux, the process is easy and can be completed in just a few steps. Remember to match the resolution to your monitor's capabilities and troubleshoot any issues that arise to ensure the best screen display quality for your needs.

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