EIZO Monitor Knowledge: Windows 11 blurry

(resolution and scaling)

Monitor knowledge

Tips for sharp display of text and apps

Are you using Windows 11 and wondering why your programs, fonts or images are blurry? You can
easily find the possible causes with a few simple tips and tricks. In this guide, we'll explain why the
display can be blurry when using r Windows 11 and what settings you can use to make apps and
texts sharp again.

Content of this page

Windows 11: Image is blurred

The right resolution

DPI scaling

Better typeface with Cleartype

Check power save mode settings

Windows 11 with multiple screens

Windows 11: Efficient window management

Windows 11: helpful shortcuts

Windows 11: Check night mode

Windows 11: Image is blurred

A blurry or out-of-focus monitor in Windows 11 can be the result of various causes. One of the
most common causes is an incorrect resolution which often leads to a blurred image, especially
when using multiple monitors. An incorrect DPI setting can also cause the monitor to become
blurry on Windows 11. The good news is most of the possible causes can be fixed in just a few steps
so you can ensure texts, images and apps are displayed sharply again when using Windows 11.

The right resolution

The screen resolution indicates how many pixels are available on a monitor’s screen for the
reproduction of content. This is a potential problem, especially if the PC is reproducing signals
different from the resolution of the native resolution of the monitor.

The so-called native resolution describes the exact number of pixels of a display.

If the output resolution and native resolution differ, the image must be converted. For example, a
monitor with a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 (WQHD) displayed with a resolution of 1920 x
1080 (Full HD) will be blurry unless the content is converted accordingly. This process is always at
the expense of the monitor quality and should therefore be avoided if possible.

To avoid a blurred monitor when using Windows 11, the following therefore applies: Always set the
native resolution of the monitor in the operating system. You can find information on the
native resolution in the information material or the operating instructions for your monitor. You
can access the corresponding settings under Windows 11 as follows: Right-click on a free space on
the desktop > "Display Settings" > "Scale & Layout" > "Display Resolution". The option with "...
(recommended)" at the end should always be the native screen resolution.

Set the native resolution of the screen.

When choosing the right monitor, we recommend you go for the highest possible resolution, which
results in a finer pixel matrix and improved readability:

27-inch screen: We recommend a resolution of at least 2560 × 1440 pixels, better 3840 x 2160
(also known as UHD). You get significantly more desktop workspace with this combination of
screen diagonal and resolution, which is especially advantageous for multitasking.

32-inch screen: We recommend a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels to make the most of the screen
area in combination with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

38-inch screen: We recommend an UltraWide resolution of 3840 x 1600 for the optimal
combination of workspace and display quality.

For a 38-inch screen, like the FlexScan EV3895, we recommend an UltraWide resolution of 3840 x
1600 for the optimal combination of workspace and display quality.
DPI scaling

The DPI value is crucial for a clear and legible display under Windows 11. DPI stands for "dots per
inch" and is often also referred to as PPI (pixels per inch). This value describes the so-called pixel
density and accordingly indicates how many pixels per inch (2.54 centimetres) are available. An
unfavourably set DPI value can also lead to a blurred monitor when using Windows 11.

The DPI scaling setting can be found as follows: Right-click on an empty space on the desktop >
"Display Settings" > "Scale & Layout" > "Scaling". In most cases, the scaling is pre-set to 100
percent. However, this value is not necessarily ideal for your application. For optimal readability,
you can therefore experiment with other scaling’s to improve the display in this way. For example,
150 percent is recommended for 32-inches with Ultra HD or for 27-inch displays with
WQHD resolution.

In most cases, the DPI scaling is pre-set to 100 percent. However, this value is not necessarily ideal
for your application.

Windows 11 also allows you to adjust the DPI differently depending on the app. If you want to
adjust the value for a specific app, right-click the app's icon and then click the following menu
items: "Properties" > "Compatibility" > "Change high DPI settings" > "Use this setting ...". This
way you can adjust the scaling to your liking for one app only. Especially older applications which
may have problems with scaling above 100 percent. Frames are not dynamically adjusted and texts
overflow. This can be prevented by a suitable scaling or setting to 100% for such applications.

Windows 11 allows different DPI settings depending on the application.

Better typeface with Cleartype

Blurred text when using Windows 11? If the typeface is not sharp, the operating system offers you
another option for optimisation which is already known from previous Windows versions:
Cleartype. This is a technique which leads to improved readability. Windows 11 shows you different
typefaces in several steps and optimises the monitor based on your readability rating. You can
easily start this optimisation with the following steps: Open the system settings and enter
"Cleartype" in the search field. The wizard will then start. Now follow the on-screen instructions.

Better typeface with Cleartype - a technique that leads to improved readability.

Check power save mode settings

If the display is blurry when using Windows 11, it may be worth taking a look at another area of the
operating system's settings. This is because Windows 11 allows you to run programs at full
performance or in energy-saving mode. Especially if you only observe the problems in connection
with individual apps, you should make sure that "High performance" is selected. You can get to the
corresponding setting by right-clicking on the desktop and then selecting "Display Settings" >
"Related Settings" > "Graphics". Here they now select the desired app and then "Options".

Settings for the energy saving mode can have an influence on the display under Windows 11.

Windows 11 with multiple screens

Using several different monitors can also lead to an unsuitable display. If both monitors work with
different native resolutions this should also be reflected in the settings. You can access the
corresponding options menu by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Display Settings" >
"Scale & Layout" > "Multiple Screens".

In the settings window which now opens, you can specify both scaling and resolution for all
connected monitors. Make sure each monitor is controlled with the respective native resolution.

This window also lets you specify how Windows 11 handles the display on the monitors. If the
displays are expanded, each screen shows an independent desktop workspace, however, if two
monitors are duplicated, both displays will receive the same signal. This will only result in a sharp
image if both monitors have the same resolution. If this is not the case, we recommend the
extended display.

When using multiple monitors, you can specify how Windows 11 handles the display on the
monitors.

Windows 11: Efficient window management

In addition to a sharp display, you can also use other tricks to provide more clarity when operating
Windows 11. This includes a tidy window layout when using multiple programs which is much
more comfortable with Windows 11 than with earlier Windows versions. To arrange windows
automatically, simply move the mouse pointer over the "Maximise" icon in the upper-right corner
of a window. The selection of available layouts then opens. Click to select your desired
arrangement and then distribute the programs to the available segments.

When using multiple programs, a tidy window layout provides a better overview.

Windows 11: helpful shortcuts

Many functions of Windows 11 can be accessed more quickly and easily via special key
combinations - so-called shortcuts. We have compiled the most important ones for you here:

Windows key + A: Open quick settings

Windows key + I: Open settings

Windows key + Z: Open window management

Windows key + arrow keys: minimise (bottom), maximise (top) or move the active window to the
left/right side of the screen (left/right)Windows key + M: minimise all active windows
Windows key + Plus key: Activate screen magnifier

Alt key + Tab key: Switch between active applications

Windows key + Shift key +S: Create and crop a screenshot

Windows key +W: Open widgets

Windows key +N: Open notification settings

Windows 11: Check night mode

Windows 11 offers you the option to activate a so-called night mode by default. In this mode, the
display is adjusted to a customised colour scheme. For example, it provides warmer colour and
white tones at the end of the day. However, this changes the colour reproduction which interferes
with image editing, for example. Check here whether the night mode is switched off: You can find
the corresponding setting options by right-clicking on the desktop and then selecting "Display
settings" > "Night mode".

In night mode, the display is adjusted to a custom colour scheme.

Worth knowing about our monitors