Why is there a black bar on my screen?

Answered by Robert Flynn

I’ve encountered this issue before, and I totally understand how frustrating it can be to have those black bars on your screen. The good news is that it’s usually an easy fix!

The most common reason for black bars on the screen is an incorrect aspect ratio setting. The aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of the screen display. If the aspect ratio is set incorrectly, it can result in those black bars appearing on the sides of the screen.

To fix this, you’ll need to adjust the settings on both your monitor and your computer.

1. Start by referring to your monitor’s instruction manual. It should provide guidance on how to access and navigate the menu settings. Look for options related to aspect ratio or image size.

2. Once you’ve accessed the monitor’s settings menu, locate the aspect ratio or image size option. You’ll want to ensure that it is set to the correct ratio for your monitor. The most common aspect ratios are 16:9 and 4:3, but it can vary depending on your specific monitor model.

3. Use the monitor’s menu controls to select the correct aspect ratio and save the changes. This should adjust the display to fill the entire screen without any black bars.

4. Next, you’ll need to check the settings on your computer. Go to the Control Panel, which can usually be accessed by clicking on the Start menu and searching for “Control Panel.”

5. In the Control Panel, find the Display or Appearance and Personalization section. Here, you should see options related to screen resolution and display settings.

6. Open the display settings and look for the resolution option. Make sure that it is set to the recommended resolution for your monitor. This information can usually be found in your monitor’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website.

7. Adjust the resolution if necessary, making sure to select the one that matches your monitor’s native resolution. Click Apply to save the changes.

By adjusting both the monitor and computer settings to the correct aspect ratio and resolution, you should be able to eliminate those black bars on your screen. If the issue persists, it’s possible that there could be a problem with your graphics card or driver, in which case you may need to seek further assistance or update your graphics drivers.

I hope this helps resolve the issue and get your screen looking perfect again!