If the video resolution is set higher than what’s supported by the monitor or video card, or the video card drivers are corrupt, you’ll see a distorted picture. To recover the picture in Microsoft Windows, follow the steps below.

  • Shut down the computer. If your display is distorted and you’re unable to properly shut down, turn off the computer.

  • Turn the computer on again and boot into Safe Mode.

  • How to open Safe Mode.

  • Once in Safe Mode, the resolution setting is set at the lowest setting, allowing you to navigate through Windows.

  • Change the display resolution back to a lower setting.

  • How to view or change the screen resolution of a monitor.

  • After the settings are changed, restart the computer and verify the distorted video issue is resolved.

Whenever you encounter video-related issues in Windows, you can quickly reset your computer’s graphics driver with the keyboard shortcut Windows key+Ctrl+Shift+B.

If your desktop computer screen is blank or black, with no display at all, see: No display or black screen on a computer monitor.

If your laptop screen is blank or black, with no display at all, see: My laptop computer screen is black.

  • No display or black screen on a computer monitor.
  • Why am I unable to increase the resolution in Windows?
  • Video card help and support.