Why Does My Windows 11 Screen Have Annoying Black Borders?

How Can I Eliminate Frustrating Black Bars Around My Monitor in Windows 11?

Black borders around your Windows 11 screen can be incredibly frustrating. I’ve helped countless users fix this exact problem, and I want to share the most effective solutions that actually work.

When you see those annoying black bars on your display, it usually means your computer isn’t talking properly to your monitor. The good news? This problem is almost always fixable with the right steps.

Why Black Borders Appear on Your Screen

Your screen shows black borders for several reasons. Most commonly, your display resolution doesn’t match what your monitor expects. Think of it like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole – things just don’t line up right.

Other causes include:

• Outdated graphics drivers that can’t communicate properly with your monitor
• Wrong scaling settings in your graphics card software
• Monitor settings that got changed accidentally
• Loose or faulty cables
• TV overscan settings when using a TV as a monitor

I’ve seen this happen most often after people connect a new monitor, update Windows, or change display cables. The frustrating part is that your screen looks smaller than it should, wasting valuable screen space.

Fix Your Display Resolution First

This is where I always start because it solves the problem about 70% of the time.

1. Right-click anywhere on your desktop and choose “Display settings.”
2. You’ll see a dropdown menu labeled “Display resolution.”
3. Look for the option that says “(Recommended)” next to it – that’s your monitor’s sweet spot.
4. Select that recommended resolution and click “Keep changes” when Windows asks. Your screen should immediately fill the entire monitor without those black borders.

If you’re using multiple monitors, check each one separately. Sometimes Windows gets confused and uses the wrong resolution for one of your displays.

Don’t forget to check your refresh rate too. Click “Advanced display settings” and make sure the refresh rate matches what your monitor supports. Most monitors work fine at 60Hz, but gaming monitors might need 120Hz or higher.

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated drivers cause more display problems than most people realize. I’ve fixed countless black border issues just by updating graphics drivers.

1. Press Windows + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Find “Display adapters” and expand it.
3. Right-click your graphics card and choose “Update driver.” Let Windows search automatically for new drivers.

If Windows doesn’t find anything, visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website directly:

• NVIDIA users: Go to nvidia.com/drivers
• AMD users: Visit amd.com/support
• Intel users: Check intel.com/content/www/us/en/support

Download and install the latest driver for your specific graphics card. Restart your computer after installation – this step is crucial for the changes to take effect.

Adjust Graphics Card Control Panel Settings

Your graphics card has its own control panel that can override Windows settings. This is where many black border problems hide.

For NVIDIA Graphics Cards

1. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel from your Start menu.
2. Under “Display,” click “Adjust desktop size and position.”
3. Set the scaling mode to “Full-screen” and make sure “Perform scaling on” is set to “Display.”
4. Click “Apply” and your black borders should disappear.

I also recommend checking the box that says “Override the scaling mode set by games and programs” to prevent applications from changing these settings.

For AMD Graphics Cards

1. Open AMD Radeon Software from your Start menu.
2. Go to “Display” settings and find “Scaling Mode.”
3. Set it to “Full Panel” to stretch your display to fill the entire screen.
4. If you see “Integer Scaling” enabled, turn it off – this feature can create black borders at certain resolutions.

For Intel Graphics

1. Open Intel Graphics Command Center.
2. Select your display and go to the “Scaling” section.
3. Choose “Scale Full Screen” to eliminate black borders.
4. Apply the changes and test your display.

Reset Your Monitor’s Built-in Settings

Your monitor has its own brain with settings that can cause black borders. Every monitor has physical buttons (usually on the bottom, back, or side) that let you access these settings.

Press the “Menu” button on your monitor to open the on-screen display. Look for settings called:

• Aspect Ratio (set to 16:9 for widescreen monitors)
• Screen Size (set to Full or Auto)
• Picture Mode (avoid Cinema or Movie modes)

If you’re not sure what changed, use the “Factory Reset” option in your monitor’s menu. This returns everything to default settings and often fixes black border problems instantly.

I’ve seen this simple reset solve problems that seemed impossible to fix through Windows settings alone.

Check Your Cable Connections

Loose cables cause more display problems than you might think. Unplug your HDMI, DisplayPort, or other video cable from both your computer and monitor. Look for bent pins or dust in the connectors.

Plug everything back in firmly. If you have a spare cable, try that instead. Sometimes cables go bad without obvious signs of damage.

For TV connections, check if your TV has different picture modes. Look for settings like “Just Scan,” “Screen Fit,” or “Full Pixel” instead of “Cinema” or “Movie” modes that might add black borders.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If basic fixes don’t work, try these advanced solutions:

1. Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings.
2. Click “Display adapter properties” for your affected monitor.
3. In the “Adapter” tab, click “List All Modes.”
4. Select your monitor’s native resolution and refresh rate from the list, then click OK.

This forces Windows to renegotiate the connection with your monitor, which can resolve stubborn display issues.

Make sure you’re not using “Duplicate displays” mode with monitors that have different aspect ratios. This can force black borders on one or both screens. Use “Extend displays” instead to let each monitor use its optimal resolution.

When Hardware Might Be the Problem

Sometimes the issue isn’t software-related. If you see black borders even in your computer’s BIOS screen (before Windows loads), you might have a hardware problem.

Test your monitor with a different computer or device. If the black borders appear on multiple devices, your monitor might need professional repair or replacement.

Similarly, if multiple monitors show black borders when connected to your computer, your graphics card might be failing.

Preventing Future Black Border Problems

After fixing your display, take these steps to prevent the problem from returning:

• Don’t change display settings randomly
• Keep graphics drivers updated
• Avoid using very old or damaged cables
• Write down your working display settings for future reference

Windows updates sometimes reset display settings to defaults, so check your display configuration after major updates.

The black border problem is annoying but almost always fixable. Start with the display resolution fix, then work through graphics drivers and control panel settings. Most people find their solution within the first few steps.

Remember, every monitor and graphics card combination is slightly different, so you might need to try several approaches. The key is being systematic and patient with each solution.