The monitor ghosting effect is easily fixed by changing certain settings on your monitor or secondary screen. Several reasons cause this effect, such as the refresh rate, the response time, or the overdrive function of your monitor. Lucky for you, there are a lot of quick and easy solutions to this error that do not require changing the graphics card completely.
Stick around and keep reading this guide if you want to learn everything about the process of fixing the monitor ghosting effect and its refresh rate.
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Why Is the Monitor Ghosting Effect Happening?
The monitor ghosting effect, including the response time and refresh rate, is happening due to a distortion of the display where you can see a trail of pixels behind the object. It is also known as a ghosting issue many users experience on their LCD monitors for a variety of reasons. If you have ever witnessed a blurry shadow following something that moves on the screen, this is what the monitor ghosting effect is.
Many factors can be important when fixing this error, such as your monitor cable, card driver, graphics card driver, dead pixels, and even screen burn-ins. In addition, there is a special application that lets you test whether your monitor is really facing screen ghosting or you have other issues. In the following section of this article, we will learn more about the troubleshooting tool and the factors that cause this error.
– Most Common Reasons for the Monitor Ghosting Effect
Many reasons may cause this ghosting effect on your monitor, and this is why sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint the problem immediately. However, you should use the Blur Booster UFO Motion Test that helps users determine what is going on with their monitor. You should run a simple test and wait for the results. If the results confirm that your monitor is suffering severe ghosting, it is time to take adequate action.
Before we provide some of the most common methods for fixing this error, let us look at some of the most common reasons for it happening. The following list contains all the details, so pay close attention to it:
- Not having properly optimized monitor settings and values
- Bugs with the monitor interference
- Wrong overdrive configurations and settings
- Having monitor specs that do not follow the computer’s performances
- Running outdated drivers that create the error
The list may go on and on; however, we will try to stick to the most important reasons. You are now fully prepared to begin learning about the different solutions you can perform to fix the ghosting on your screen. So let us learn how to debug this annoying error without further ado.
How To Fix This Error on Your Monitor
It is true that troubleshooting this error and the response time may sometimes be a problem, as explained previously. However, when it comes to fixing this error and seeing what is wrong, it is not so complicated and you can get the job done in no time. We will provide some of the most common solutions that are easy to learn and implement for your monitor.
If the problem is still present after going through all the necessary steps, redo the same actions to ensure that you have not committed any small mistakes. Also, be aware that some of the steps may be different because everyone’s monitor is different, but you can definitely apply the same concepts for the most part. Let us begin with the most common solution, which is shown in the following section of this article.
– Turning on the Overdrive
The simplest solution of all refers to the monitor’s overdrive. Turning this function on will solve most of the errors and bugs with your ghosting screen because you optimize the settings. The response time of your gaming monitor will “normalize” and you will end up having a more pleasant experience and much higher FPS for the motion blur.
There are several steps you are supposed to take, and they are all shown and explained in the following numbered list:
- Open the display menu for your monitor. Should you have any problems doing so, open the manual and follow the instructions carefully.
- Locate the overdrive setting inside the menu.
- You should switch on the feature of overdrive. This will help you adjust and customize the overdrive level to your preference.
- Adjust the overdrive level carefully and gradually. It is just a matter of trial and error until you find the right level.
- Use the monitor ghosting test tool to check your adjustments and see the results.
- If it is necessary and you are not happy with the results, play around with the setting until you find the “optimal” value.
Do not max out the value for this setting; take your time and be patient while adjusting the settings. Also, you must be aware that this is not the only setting you can play around with. The overdrive value is just one of the many that can improve your experience. Now, let us move on to the next solution.
– Changing the Monitor’s Display Settings
Having poorly optimized monitor display settings can have severe effects on the ghosting problem. This is why it is great to open your settings and try to adjust some of the values. There are some recommended settings that many experts use for a pleasant user experience. These settings are all shown in the following list and will help you debug this annoying error:
- Setting the dynamic contrast and the contrast enhancement to an adequate level.
- The motion smoothing setting must be turned on and maxed out.
- Adjust the noise reduction to prevent display disruptions.
- Turn on the perfectly clear and black equalizer options.
- Reduce the motion blur and test the display for any improvements.
- The dark stabilizer will help you sharpen the image.
- The game enhances mode must be turned on and have the right values.
As you can see, there is so much you can do with the settings and values. It is important to test your monitor every time after you change a certain setting to see whether there are any improvements. The setting names may be different from monitor to monitor, so keep an eye out for that.
If the second solution did not help you fix the error on your monitor, it is time to move to the next solution shown in the following section of this article.
– Inspecting All Monitor Cables
Whenever you troubleshoot a problem on your computer, you must never forget to check all the cables. The same must be said about your monitor and its cables because they are an essential component for proper function without any bugs or errors. Tangled-up and faulty cables may have serious consequences for your monitor and your safety. Therefore, it would be great if you inspect the cables for any bends, tears, kinks or nicks that will affect the current flow.
Use your palm and drag the cable to feel for any issues because they may sometimes be difficult to catch with the naked eye. If you do not come across a problem even after carefully inspecting your cables, it is still a great idea to replace each cable with a brand new one to make sure everything works.
If you think this is too expensive, you can borrow someone else’s cables to see if it works. This is all it takes to properly check your cables, so let us move on to the next simple solution.
– Checking the Refresh Rate of the Monitor
If your cables are fine and the previous solutions did not solve your problem, you are at the right place. In this part of the guide, we will teach you everything that may be wrong with the refresh interval of your monitor and how to fix it. It is common for the refresh interval to be high but the monitor to experience the same ghosting error. Fortunately, there is an easy solution because some monitors are set to a lower rate by default.
The following list will help you learn how to change the default refresh interval of your monitor without affecting the rest of the settings:
- Click the “start” button on your Windows to open the device’s settings.
- Click “system” and navigate the “settings” section in the same window.
- Click the “advanced display settings” to change the values.
- Locate the “refresh rate” option and choose the highest possible value.
- Click “apply” and restart your computer.
After carefully following these steps, the ghosting display should now be fixed. This simple change in the value of the setting may have stunning results over your experience with the same monitor. You will be able to tell the difference immediately, and it will only take a couple of minutes for the whole process to finish. There is one more radical solution you can do, so keep reading the following section for more.
– Investing in a New Monitor
If none of the solutions shown here work, you should probably start thinking of investing in a brand-new monitor. Your old monitor may have some problems and bugs that are impossible to fix, so you would only waste your time. Though this is the most expensive solution to your problems, it may sometimes be essential, and you must do it. However, there are some qualities you must look for while searching for a new monitor.
The qualities you need to look for are shown in the following bullet list:
- Having adequate refresh interval rate: This quality is important, and it states that the higher the rate, the better the monitor is. Consequently, the monitor will be more expensive, but it is worth it. If you do intensive tasks like gaming, editing or programming, make sure to get a 144Hz or higher.
- Looking for a proper response interval rate: The opposite rule applies to this quality, which means the lower the rate, the better the monitor. If you look for a monitor that will solve all your issues, look for a monitor with a response interval rate of 5ms or lower.
- The input lag: This quality refers to how fast your monitor reacts to actions, which means the lower, the better.
These are all the facts you must know prior to purchasing a new monitor. The last section will show you some alternative solutions that might get the job done, so stick around for more.
– Alternative Solutions That Might Work
There are several solutions to fix this error on your monitor. They are not complex to do and will only take you a couple of minutes to finish. You should opt for these alternative solutions if none of the previous methods work because they are not the most reliable ones. Take a closer look at the following bullet list that explains the alternative solutions:
- Check all connected devices – Moving any nearby devices from your monitor can prove to be useful and beneficial. Your monitor may interfere with the connected devices, especially the wireless ones. It can be the simple yet efficient solution you are looking for.
- Update all necessary drivers – Open your settings and download the latest versions of all drivers. The latest versions always bring the best performances and fix any previous bugs in the system. It only takes a couple of minutes, so why not give it a go.
These two alternative solutions are simple but can help you when you least expect them to. Finally, you are ready to start troubleshooting and solving the ghosting error. We will summarize the most important points in the following section.
Conclusion and Bulleted Summary
The monitor ghosting effect is easily fixed by changing certain settings on your monitor or secondary screen. This is not the only solution, however, because there are other methods you can and should use, shown in the following bullet list:
- The monitor ghosting error is a common bug that can completely mess up your gaming experience with distorted images.
- The most important step in the process is troubleshooting the error properly by using an assistive tool.
- There are several solutions you can use, and they may all be equally useful in debugging the error.
- If none of the main solutions works, you can opt for the alternative solutions that may work for some.
- The most expensive solution is investing in a brand-new monitor with decent quality.
Fixing a problem or debugging an error on your computer can sometimes be a tedious and challenging process. However, this guide has now made you an expert on the monitor ghosting error and the methods you can use to fix them.