Stretched screen issues are the most common display-related errors that Windows 10 users face. It is practically inevitable to avoid display orientation and screen resolution errors as many users do not know the optimal size. The stretched screen issue usually appears when the display is not calibrated per the used monitor.
It may result from an accidental key press or configuration to run a video game. Irrespective of the reason, the error is unpleasant, making your PC look dated. So what to do? Well, you can eliminate the stretched or oversized screen situation on your Windows 10 PC in a few ways. And in this post, we are going to discover all of them!
Without further ado, let’s get started!
What Causes the Stretched Screen Issues
The configuration of screen resolution plays an important role when it comes to customizing a PC. As mentioned earlier, random key presses often lead to misconfiguration of these settings. However, that is not the only reason.
Some of the core causes that lead to stretched screen issues on Windows 10 are –
- Outdated Display Drivers
- Additional Update Errors
- Misconfigured Display Settings
If you have a keyboard with fn keys dedicated to changing the screen resolution, you should avoid pressing them randomly as they may change the display appearance. Stretched screen issues also appear specifically in certain games and videos. That is because your PC does not support the encoder used for those videos and graphics.
In such cases, you must manually look for display settings and select the aspect ratio that works best for you. Remember that if the stretched screen error is application-specific, the changes should only be done via the app and not in your system settings.
How to UnStretch Screen on Windows 10 and Get Desktop Back to Normal
There are multiple ways you can try to resolve the error. Keep in mind that these fixes will only work for your PC’s resolution and screen, if you are facing issues while running an external screen or trying to project via projector, the calibration should be done on those devices. For Windows 10 stretched screen issues, here are some fixes that you can use!
Fix 1 – Set Display Settings to Recommended
The display resolution settings on Windows have many dimensions you can opt for. The quality and aspect ratio depends on your choice of resolution. However, it also has a smart detector that gives you a recommended resolution.
If, by chance, you have changed the settings from recommended to a different resolution, tune it back, as it may be the cause of the stretched screen issue.
Here’s how you do it –
Step 1 – Go to your Desktop and right-click to open the context menu.
Step 2 – In the Context menu, click on Display Settings.
Step 3 – After opening the Display settings, you may find Scale and layout option.
Step 4 – Here, make sure the Display Scale and resolution are set to the recommended settings.
Step 5 – You can also check all the available resolutions and scale settings to identify which suits your screen. You should choose the default settings, which are created according to the requirements.
Fix 2 – Check the Display Adapter Drivers for Update
If the settings are correct and still have a stretched screen, chances are that the display adapter is not functioning properly. The driver related to this adapter might be outdated. Hence, you have the issue.
Since drivers are not highlighted directly in any operation, they are often not updated regularly. An average user does not even care about the drivers unless something goes wrong, so the chances of you finding the concerned driver out of date are significantly high.
To avoid it from happening in the future and simplify the process of updating the drivers, we recommend you use the Advanced Driver Updater. An automated tool designed to help you update drivers without diving into many details and layers of the OS. All you need to do is –
Step 1 – Download and install the application on your computer.
Step 2 – Run a scan using the Start Scan Now button to find and check the status of existing drivers. The scan searches and lists all the outdated drivers on your PC.
Step 3 – After the scan, simply click on Update All, and the tool will download the updates and install them all by itself.
After the drivers are updated, let the system restart, and you may find that the resolution error is gone. The stretched screen error can be easily fixed if the drivers are at fault, all thanks to Advanced Driver Updater. Download it today!
Fix 3 – Uninstall the Problematic Windows Updates
If the error has appeared after you have installed an update, chances are that it was half downloaded. It means that you may have installed the incorrect version of the update, and hence the issue has appeared. The best way to handle this is to uninstall the last installed update and re-download the new one.
Here’s how you do it –
Press Win+I to open the Windows System Settings and click on Update & Security.
Step 2 – From the left pane, go to Windows Updates.
Step 3 – In the Windows Updates settings, click on Update History.
Step 4 – In Update History, scroll down to find the Uninstall Updates option.
Step 5 – You will now get a list of uninstallable updates. Select the latest installed update or the update after which you started facing a problem and click Uninstall.
Step 6 – Confirm the action to proceed.
After uninstalling the update, you can return to the Windows Update settings and download the latest build update if your stretched screen option is resolved. Remember that you must have a reliable monitor to support the resolution you want to opt for, or else it will always stay stretched and unpleasant to the eyes.
Choose the fix that resolves your problem, and let us know in the comments if you need any assistance. That will be all for this post. Thanks for reading. Good luck!
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