Learn why colored lines and artifacts appear on both a laptop screen and external monitor after boot, as required for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam. Understand how a failing GPU leads to display issues across multiple outputs and the recommended troubleshooting steps.
Table of Contents
Question
A laptop’s display shows colored lines and artifacts after booting. The issue persists on an external monitor. What is the most likely cause?
A. Faulty display cable
B. Corrupted display driver
C. Failing GPU
D. Incorrect refresh rate
E. Loose RAM modules
Answer
C. Failing GPU
Explanation
Artifacts on both the laptop display and an external monitor indicate a problem with the GPU, as it handles rendering for both outputs, suggesting a hardware failure.
When colored lines and artifacts are present on both the laptop’s built-in display and an external monitor, the most likely cause is a failing GPU (graphics processing unit). The GPU is responsible for rendering all video output; if it is malfunctioning, artifacts will appear on every connected display, not just the laptop screen. This distinguishes GPU failure from issues like a faulty display cable or LCD panel, which would only affect the laptop’s built-in display.
Common symptoms of a failing GPU include persistent colored lines, flickering, distorted images, or random artifacts that remain regardless of the display used. Causes can include overheating, physical damage, or component degradation over time. Diagnostic steps involve running GPU stress tests, monitoring temperatures, and, if possible, testing with a known-good GPU. If the problem persists across all displays, motherboard or GPU replacement may be necessary.
Driver or refresh rate issues can cause similar symptoms, but when artifacts are present on both internal and external screens, hardware failure—specifically the GPU—is the most probable root cause.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam and earn CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 certification.