Unfortunately, computer monitor display problems can strike suddenly and without warning. One minute you’re enjoying an intense session of World of Warcraft or a nice mild game of Solitaire, and the next minute your monitor is displaying weird colors or nothing at all. Here are some of the most common display problems, and potential causes:

Cascading Causes
While some computer monitor display problems are simple in nature and tend to have a single cause, many problems could be the result of several different malfunctions. When you’re having a computer monitor problem, you’ll need to take a series of steps to troubleshoot and diagnose the malfunction. If you’re unable to determine why your monitor is having problems, you may need to consult a professional.

No Display
If your computer monitor doesn’t display anything, you should try a couple of easy fixes. First, make sure the cords are fully connected and the power is on. If the power on indicator is lit and green, your computer monitor is receiving power and signal from your PC but having another type of problem. If the LED is lit but orange, the monitor isn’t receiving signal from the PC, and you should check the cable connecting it to the PC. If the power LED isn’t lit at all, the power cord may not be connected or the monitor may not be turned on.

Bizarre Patterns or Lines
If your computer monitor has bizarre patterns or lines, try jiggling the cord that connects the monitor to the PC. If the picture improves, check the connections at both ends. If they're both good, you simply need to replace the cable.

If jiggling the cable doesn't work, check your menu options. Try adjusting menus to see if any options affect the lines. Change one option at a time and test it to see if the display improves before moving on to the next option. If you attempt to adjust all the menu options and have no luck eliminating the lines, your monitor may be completely broken and you should consult a professional.

Stuck Pixels
An LCD computer monitor screen occasionally suffers from stuck pixels. If you see a black dot in the screen that doesn’t change when the picture changes, you’re looking at a stuck pixel. To attempt to unstick a pixel, cover the monitor with a soft cloth and use a pointy, but not sharp, object to rub the spot where the stuck pixel is located. Do this very, very gently. If you press too hard, you'll do permanent damage to your monitor.

Blurry Image
A blurry computer monitor has many potential causes and fixes, but some of the most common involve adjusting your settings. First, try adjusting your hard settings on the monitor menu itself. Next, try re-seating your cables or using different monitor cables to connect the PC and monitor. If that doesn’t work, go into your computer’s display settings and adjust the resolution, the refresh rate and the graphic acceleration functions. Finally, try re-installing your monitor drivers with the most updated drivers available on the manufacturer’s Web site. If none of these fixes works, you need to consult a professional.

Image Is Dim
Dim computer monitor display problems usually have two causes: either the settings need to be adjusted, or the monitor is dying. Try adjusting the brightness settings in your monitor’s menu. If that doesn’t affect the monitor’s brightness, you may need to consult a professional because your monitor’s backlight may be going out and your monitor could be dying