Fix Vertical Lines on Monitor | Complete Guide

Vertical lines on monitor often just show up out of nowhere. One minute, your screen is fine, the next it’s sporting colored thin stripes as if someone dragged a marker across it. Most of the time, this points to some fault with the screen panel or even a loose display connection.

Some even have the lines come and go at random, showing themselves only in certain apps sometimes, or being there permanently. Either way, it breaks your focus and makes simple tasks uncomfortable.

If it is happening to you and you aren’t sure what could be the cause, welcome; this guide walks you through how to fix vertical lines on a monitor screen when they spread sideways. And laptop users get help too, because knowing how to fix vertical lines on a laptop screen can save you a lot of stress when you need your device to work properly.

Stick with me as we break down the causes and solutions in a simple way; by the end, you’ll know how to clear those lines and get your screen back to normal.

1Why Are There Vertical Lines on Monitor Screens?

2How to Fix Vertical Lines on Monitor

2.11. Change Display Resolution Settings

2.22. Install a Previous Driver Version of the Video Card

2.33. Run the Troubleshooter

2.44. Check the BIOS

2.55. Reboot the PC

2.66. Update the Drivers

3When Do You Replace the Screen?

4Prevent Vertical Lines in the Future

5Frequently Asked Questions

6Conclusion

7Refrences

8Recommendations

Why Are There Vertical Lines on Monitor Screens?

There could be numerous reasons why your PC is having problems with its display; these errors include

The connection between the computer screen and the CPU is not proper.
You are using a faulty screen or monitor
There is an error with the graphics card you are using.
The application you’re using is giving it false information.

You may experience vertical lines on your monitor screen in any of these cases. Feel free to contact the service center if your monitor is under warranty and you doubt there is an internal error in the hardware.

However, if your service advisor says there’s nothing wrong with the panel, move on to the next section to find the fixes you can apply.

How to Fix Vertical Lines on Monitor

Below are the simple solutions that you can try to correct vertical lines on the computer screen for that unmatched gaming and computing experience.

1. Change Display Resolution Settings

Modifying the display resolution settings can help you solve vertical lines on the computer screen without much effort. Here are the steps to do it.

Press the Windows logo and R keys together to open the Run box.

In the Run box, type in Control Panel and click OK.

After the Control Panel opens, move to Appearance and Personalization.

Once the Appearance and Personalization window opens, select “Adjust screen resolution.”

Click Resolution, then click on the drop-down menu that opens and select your recommended resolution.

2. Install a Previous Driver Version of the Video Card

Sometimes, downgrading the video card helps in removing the vertical lines present on the computer screen easily. Here is how to do it.

Open the Run box and type devmgmt.msc in the blank box.

Click OK to start the Device Manager.

Click the arrow before the Display Adapters category to expand it.

Right-click your display adapter and select Properties from the drop-down menu that appears.

Check the current driver version.

Downgrade the current version to the previous one.

Also Read – How to Fix PS4 Controller Not Charging | Complete Guide

3. Run the Troubleshooter

Also, it is quite easy to fix the vertical lines on the monitor by troubleshooting the display quality. All that you are required to do is follow the steps below to do it effortlessly.

Open Control Panel.

Click on View and select Large icons.

Click on Display and from the left pane select View All.

Click on Display Quality and then follow the procedure provided in Solution 1 to adjust the display quality.

4. Check the BIOS

Checking the BIOS in Windows 10 gives you an idea whether the vertical lines on the computer screen are due to hardware or software issues. Knowing the cause helps you solve the problem better. Thus, below are the steps to check the BIOS.

Shut down your PC without disconnecting the power cable.

After you turn it on again, press F10 many times.

If you still see vertical lines on the computer screen, then it implies that there’s a hardware problem. In this case, what you will need to perform is a forced PC reset, besides updating the BIOS.

5. Reboot the PC

If the vertical lines on the monitor are still causing you problems, then reboot it. Here, we share the steps to do so without any cumbersome efforts.

Type msconfig in the Windows 10 search box.

Choose System Configuration.

Click the Services tab, then select the Hide all Microsoft services check box.

Click on Disable All and go to the Startup tab.

Choose Open Task Manager.

Close the Task Manager and click OK.

Lastly, restart your PC.

6. Update the Drivers

Now comes the ultimate solution for all of your PC problems, including the vertical lines on the monitor. Driver updates can definitely fix this issue. For those who are uninitiated, a driver is software that makes the hardware execute your instructions correctly. Without updated drivers, the PC starts behaving erratically.

You can update them both automatically and manually. Since the manual update is not possible without cumbersome efforts, we suggest you get the best driver update software like Bit Driver Updater. This software not only updates the drivers but also gives your PC a new lease on life.

Below are its prominent features.

It comes with a host of PC optimization tools.
Boasts a driver backup and restore functionality.
It supports all the latest versions of Windows and multiple languages.
Speeds up your PC by up to 50%.

This is not a comprehensive list; when you actually start using Bit Driver Updater, you will get to know many of its other features.

When Do You Replace the Screen?

Not all monitors are fixable via software tweaks, adjustments to the cables, or power resets. Sometimes, the damage to the display panel can’t be fixed, no matter the remedy attempted. Replacement becomes necessary when the problem is permanent, not responsive to troubleshooting, or keeps getting worse.

Here’s how you know it’s time to consider replacing the screen:

Lines remain even after full troubleshooting
The lines appear on every device that you test with
There are color smears, black patches, or growing pixel damage.
Flickering increases or lines multiply over time
Pressing the screen changes or worsens the lines
A technician confirms internal LCD damage.
Replacement costs less than continued attempts to repair

Replacement does not mean failure; rather, it means you have tried all possible repairs, and you opt for clarity instead of stress. You want a screen you can actually enjoy using, not one you tolerate because you’ve given up on fixing it.

Also Read – How to Fix ‘Not Registered on Network’| Step-by-step Guide

Prevent Vertical Lines in the Future

Great that it got fixed, but better not to have the problem in the first place. Simple habits will protect your monitor and reduce the likelihood of those lines returning. In order to protect your display:

Clean your ports often and gently
Avoid bending or pulling cables
Keep drivers and system software updated
Avoid pressing or placing weight on the screen
Keep your device in a well-ventilated area.
Don’t drop or hit the monitor

These tiny habits go a long way. Take good care of your screen, and you’ll have a stable, clear display for a pretty long while.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do horizontal and vertical lines represent the same problem?

Most times, yes. They both appear when the communication between the graphics output and the screen is disrupted. The direction of the line does not matter as much as the cause behind it.

How long does it take to fix?

Some fixes work immediately, like changing cables or updating drivers. Others need a bit of testing and patience, especially when you’re trying multiple solutions to find the exact cause.

Will replacing cables be a permanent solution?

If it’s a problem with the cable itself, sure. Bad HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort cables tend to be common culprits, and swapping those out clears the lines for good in most cases.

Does this always mean my monitor is damaged?

Not necessarily, as many times the screen itself is fine and the fault may be with the cable, GPU, ports, or drivers. Only when lines resist every fix should permanent panel damage be suspected.

Conclusion

Vertical lines can be apparently scary at first but very fixable. You now understand what causes them, how to diagnose the problem, and how to Fix Vertical Lines on Monitor by using simple steps anyone can follow.

Even how to fix vertical lines on monitor screen is no longer confusing because you’ve seen where both issues come from. And laptop users also know how to fix vertical lines on laptop screen without panic.

Your screen doesn’t need to stay striped. By being patient and testing, checking cables, updating and resetting drivers, you can restore clarity and enjoy a clean view again. Take your time. Follow the guide. Fix the screen like a pro.

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