How Can I Fix Black and White Squares Display Blocks on Windows 11 Screen?

Why Does My Windows 11 Screen Show Strange Black and White Squares?

Those pesky black and white squares on your screen are more than just annoying. They can make work impossible. Your computer might seem broken, but don’t worry – these problems have simple fixes.

These squares show up for different reasons. Sometimes your graphics card gets confused. Other times, old software causes trouble. The good news? You can fix most of these issues at home.

What Makes These Squares Appear?

Your screen shows these blocks when something goes wrong with how your computer displays images. Think of it like a TV with bad reception. The signal gets mixed up, and you see weird shapes instead of clear pictures.

Common causes include:

• Old graphics drivers that need updates
• Wrong screen settings
• Loose cables
• Too much dust inside your computer
• Software conflicts
• Overheating parts

Quick Fix: Reset Your Graphics System

Try this first. It’s the fastest solution and works for many people.

Press these keys together: Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B

Your screen will blink for a second. You might hear a sound. This resets how your computer talks to your screen. Many times, this simple trick makes the squares disappear right away.

Solution 1: Check Your Hardware First

Before diving into software fixes, look at the physical parts. Loose connections cause many display problems.

Do these checks:

1. Make sure all cables are tight
2. Look for bent or damaged cables
3. Try a different cable if you have one
4. Check if your computer feels too hot
5. Clean dust from vents and fans

If you use a desktop computer, turn it off completely. Unplug it. Open the case carefully. Make sure your graphics card sits firmly in its slot. Dust can cause overheating, which leads to display problems.

Solution 2: Update Your Graphics Drivers

Old drivers cause most screen problems. Your graphics card needs fresh instructions to work properly.

Here’s how to update them:

1. Right-click the Windows button
2. Pick “Device Manager” from the list
3. Find “Display adapters” and click the arrow
4. Right-click your graphics card name
5. Choose “Update driver“
6. Let Windows search for new drivers automatically

Sometimes you need to remove the old driver completely. If updating doesn’t work, go back to Device Manager. Right-click your graphics card again. Choose “Uninstall device.” Check the box that says “Delete the driver software.” Restart your computer. Windows will install a fresh driver when it starts up.

For better results:

1. Visit NVIDIA’s website if you have an NVIDIA card
2. Go to AMD’s site for AMD cards
3. Download the newest driver directly from them

Solution 3: Fix Your Screen Settings

Wrong screen settings confuse your graphics card. This creates those annoying squares and blocks.

Change your resolution:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Click “System” then “Display“
3. Look for “Display resolution“
4. Pick the one marked “Recommended“

The recommended setting works best with your monitor. It prevents many display glitches. Your screen should look clearer after this change.

Solution 4: Turn Off Problem Features

Windows has features that can cause display issues. Color filters and visual effects sometimes create unwanted squares.

Disable these features:

1. Open Settings (Windows + I)
2. Go to “Accessibility“
3. Find “Color filters“
4. Turn it off
5. Also turn off the keyboard shortcut for color filters

These features help some people see better. But they can cause problems for others. Turning them off removes extra processing that might interfere with normal display.

Solution 5: Use Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in tool that finds and fixes hardware problems automatically.

Run the troubleshooter:

1. Right-click the Windows button
2. Choose “Terminal (Admin)“
3. Type: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
4. Press Enter
5. Click “Advanced” in the window that opens
6. Check “Apply repairs automatically“
7. Click “Next” and follow the instructions

This tool scans your system for common problems. It can fix many issues without you having to do anything else.

Solution 6: Fix App-Specific Problems

Sometimes squares only appear in certain programs. Chrome, Steam, and video players often have this issue.

For Chrome browser

1. Type chrome://flags/#use-angle in the address bar
2. Change the setting to “OpenGL” or “D3D11on12“
3. Restart Chrome

Turn off hardware acceleration

1. Go to Chrome Settings
2. Click “System”
3. Turn off “Use hardware acceleration when available“

For other programs

• Update the app to the newest version
• Turn off browser extensions one by one
• Reinstall the problem program if needed

When to Worry About Hardware

Most display problems come from software issues. But sometimes hardware fails. Watch for these warning signs:

• Squares appear even in safe mode
• Multiple monitors show the same problem
• Your computer crashes often
• The graphics card feels very hot
• Problems get worse over time

If you see these signs, your graphics card might be dying. Consider taking your computer to a repair shop.

Prevention Tips

Stop these problems before they start:

Keep your system healthy

• Update drivers monthly
• Clean dust from your computer every few months
• Don’t block air vents
• Use a surge protector
• Restart your computer regularly

Monitor your system

• Check temperatures with free software
• Watch for new display problems
• Keep Windows updated
• Back up important files

Black and white squares on your screen look scary, but they’re usually easy to fix. Start with the simple solutions first. Reset your graphics driver with the keyboard shortcut. Check your cables and settings. Update your drivers.

Most people solve their display problems with these basic steps. The squares disappear, and normal screen function returns. Your computer isn’t broken – it just needs a little attention.

Remember to keep your system updated and clean. This prevents many problems from happening again. With proper care, your Windows 11 computer will display clear, square-free images for years to come.