How to Fix Underscan and Restore Your Full Screen Display

Underscan. It’s a frustrating issue that plagues TVs and monitors, especially when connected to devices like computers, game consoles, or media players. Imagine settling down for movie night, only to discover that the edges of the picture are cut off, leaving a black border around the entire screen. This is underscan, and thankfully, it’s usually a relatively simple problem to fix.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various causes of underscan and provide step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve it, ensuring you get the most out of your display. We’ll cover everything from basic settings adjustments to more advanced troubleshooting techniques.

Table of Contents

Understanding Underscan And Overscan

To effectively fix underscan, it’s crucial to understand what it is and how it relates to its counterpart, overscan.

Underscan occurs when the image displayed on your screen is smaller than the actual display area. This results in black borders or empty space around the edges of the picture. It’s like viewing a photo that’s been cropped too much.

Overscan, on the other hand, is the opposite. It’s when the image extends beyond the boundaries of the screen, causing the edges of the picture to be cut off. In the past, overscan was deliberately implemented by television manufacturers to ensure that the entire screen was filled, even with variations in broadcast signals.

Think of it this way: underscan shows too little, while overscan shows too much. The goal is to achieve a perfect balance where the entire image is visible and no parts are cut off.

Identifying The Cause Of Underscan

Pinpointing the cause of underscan is the first step towards fixing it. Several factors can contribute to this issue, and identifying the culprit will guide you to the appropriate solution. Here are some common causes:

TV or Monitor Settings: Many TVs and monitors have built-in settings that control overscan and underscan. These settings are often labeled as “Screen Fit,” “Aspect Ratio,” “Display Area,” or something similar. Incorrectly configured settings are a frequent cause of underscan.
Device Output Settings: The device connected to your TV or monitor, such as a computer, game console, or streaming device, also has its own display settings. If these settings are not configured correctly, they can lead to underscan.
Graphics Card Drivers: If you’re using a computer connected to your TV or monitor, outdated or incorrectly configured graphics card drivers can cause display problems, including underscan.
Cable Connections: While less common, a faulty or incompatible HDMI cable can sometimes contribute to display issues.
Resolution Mismatch: An incorrect resolution setting on your source device or your display can sometimes lead to underscan issues.
Scaling Issues: Some devices or displays may have scaling options that, when incorrectly configured, can lead to an underscanned image.

Troubleshooting And Fixing Underscan: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand the potential causes of underscan, let’s dive into the troubleshooting and fixing process. We’ll start with the simplest solutions and move towards more advanced techniques.

Adjusting TV Or Monitor Settings

The most common and often the easiest solution is to adjust the settings directly on your TV or monitor.

Access the Menu: Use your TV or monitor’s remote control or on-screen buttons to access the main menu.
Locate Display Settings: Navigate to the display settings section. This is usually labeled as “Picture,” “Display,” “Screen,” or something similar.
Find Aspect Ratio or Screen Fit: Look for settings like “Aspect Ratio,” “Screen Fit,” “Picture Size,” or “Display Area.” These settings control how the image is displayed on the screen.
Experiment with Settings: Cycle through the available options. Common options include:
- 16:9: This is the standard widescreen aspect ratio.
- 4:3: This is the standard aspect ratio for older TVs and content.
- Just Scan: This option often displays the image without any overscan or underscan.
- Full Pixel: This option displays the image pixel-for-pixel, which is often the ideal setting.
- Zoom: This option zooms in on the image, which can exacerbate overscan.
- Wide Fit: This option stretches the image to fill the screen, which can distort the picture.
- Native: This option displays the image at its original resolution and aspect ratio.
Choose the Correct Setting: Select the setting that fills the screen completely without cutting off any parts of the image. “Just Scan” or “Full Pixel” are often the best choices.
Save Changes: Once you’ve found the correct setting, save your changes and exit the menu.

If adjusting the TV or monitor settings doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.

Adjusting Device Output Settings

The device connected to your TV or monitor also has its own display settings that can contribute to underscan. Here’s how to adjust them:

Computer (Windows)

Open Display Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select “Display settings.”
Check Resolution: Ensure that the resolution is set to the native resolution of your TV or monitor. This is usually the highest resolution available.
Advanced Display Settings: Click on “Advanced display settings” (usually located at the bottom of the page).
Display Adapter Properties: Click on “Display adapter properties for Display [Number].”
List All Modes: In the Adapter tab, click on “List All Modes” to see available resolutions and refresh rates.
Select Native Resolution: Choose the line which corresponds to your display’s native resolution and recommended refresh rate.
Adjust Scaling (If Necessary): Return to the main “Display settings” page and look for a setting related to scaling. This might be labeled as “Scale and layout” or something similar. Experiment with different scaling options, such as “100%” or “Recommended.”
Graphics Card Control Panel: For more advanced adjustments, open your graphics card’s control panel (e.g., NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings). These control panels often have specific settings for adjusting overscan and underscan. Look for options like “Adjust desktop size and position” (NVIDIA) or “Display Scaling” (AMD). Adjust the scaling slider until the image fills the screen correctly.

Computer (macOS)

Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
Select Displays: Click on “Displays.”
Resolution: Make sure the resolution is set to “Default for display” or the native resolution of your TV or monitor.
Overscan: In some versions of macOS, you may find an “Overscan” option. If available, uncheck this box to disable overscan.
Scaled: Selecting “Scaled” allows you to select the desired resolution from a list. Make sure you pick the native resolution of your display.

Game Consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)

Game consoles typically have built-in settings to adjust the display area.

PlayStation (PS4, PS5): Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Display Area Settings. Use the directional buttons to adjust the corners of the display area until they match the edges of your screen.
Xbox (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S): Go to Settings > General > TV & display options > Video fidelity & overscan. Choose “Auto-detect” or manually adjust the overscan settings until the image fills the screen correctly.
Nintendo Switch: Go to System Settings > TV Settings > Adjust Screen Size. Use the directional buttons to adjust the screen size until it fits your TV.

Streaming Devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV)

Streaming devices also have display settings that you can adjust.

Roku: Go to Settings > Display type. Select the correct resolution for your TV. You may also find an overscan setting under Advanced display settings.
Apple TV: Go to Settings > Video and Audio > Resolution. Select the correct resolution for your TV.
Amazon Fire TV: Go to Settings > Display & Sounds > Display > Calibrate Display. Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the display area.

Updating Graphics Card Drivers (Computer)

Outdated graphics card drivers can cause various display issues, including underscan. Here’s how to update them:

Identify Your Graphics Card: Determine the manufacturer and model of your graphics card. You can find this information in the Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS).
Download Latest Drivers: Visit the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA or AMD) and download the latest drivers for your graphics card and operating system.
Install Drivers: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers. It’s usually recommended to perform a clean installation, which removes any previous driver files.
Restart Your Computer: After the installation is complete, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Checking Cable Connections

While less common, a faulty or incompatible HDMI cable can sometimes cause display issues.

Inspect the Cable: Examine the HDMI cable for any signs of damage, such as bent pins or frayed wires.
Try a Different Cable: If possible, try using a different HDMI cable to see if that resolves the issue. Ensure that the cable is HDMI 2.0 or higher for 4K and HDR content.
Secure Connections: Make sure that the HDMI cable is securely connected to both the TV or monitor and the connected device.

Resetting Your TV Or Monitor

As a last resort, you can try resetting your TV or monitor to its factory default settings. This will erase any custom settings you’ve made, but it can sometimes resolve underlying issues that are causing underscan.

Access the Menu: Use your TV or monitor’s remote control or on-screen buttons to access the main menu.
Locate Reset Option: Navigate to the “System,” “Setup,” or “General” settings section. Look for an option labeled “Reset,” “Factory Reset,” or “Initialize.”
Confirm Reset: Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the reset. Be aware that this will erase all your saved settings.
Reconfigure Settings: After the reset is complete, you’ll need to reconfigure your TV or monitor’s settings, including the display settings.

Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques

If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still experiencing underscan, here are some more advanced troubleshooting techniques you can try:

EDID Issues: EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is a communication protocol between the display and the source device. Sometimes, EDID information can be corrupted, leading to display problems. You can try using an EDID emulator or EDID override tool to fix this. These tools allow you to manually configure the EDID information for your display. However, use these tools with caution, as incorrect settings can damage your display.
Custom Resolutions: In some cases, creating a custom resolution that is slightly smaller than your display’s native resolution can help to eliminate underscan. You can do this through your graphics card control panel.
Firmware Updates: Check if there are any firmware updates available for your TV or monitor. Firmware updates can sometimes fix bugs and improve compatibility with different devices.

Preventing Underscan In The Future

Once you’ve fixed underscan, here are some tips to prevent it from recurring:

Always Use the Native Resolution: Make sure that the resolution of your source device is set to the native resolution of your TV or monitor.
Choose the Correct Aspect Ratio: Select the correct aspect ratio setting on your TV or monitor. “Just Scan” or “Full Pixel” are often the best choices.
Keep Graphics Card Drivers Up-to-Date: Regularly update your graphics card drivers to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
Use High-Quality HDMI Cables: Use high-quality HDMI cables that are compatible with the resolution and refresh rate of your display.
Avoid Unnecessary Scaling: Avoid using scaling options unless absolutely necessary.

By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of encountering underscan issues in the future and ensure that you always get the best possible picture quality from your display.

Underscan can be a pesky problem, but with a systematic approach to troubleshooting and the right adjustments, you can easily restore your full screen display and enjoy your favorite content without any annoying black borders. Remember to start with the simplest solutions and gradually move towards more advanced techniques. Good luck!

What Is Underscan, And What Causes It?

Underscan is a phenomenon where the image displayed on your screen doesn’t fill the entire display area, resulting in black borders around the edges. This occurs because the display device is intentionally scaling down the input signal, essentially shrinking the picture. This shrinking was originally implemented to compensate for variations in analog TV signals and ensure the entire image was visible on older cathode-ray tube (CRT) televisions.

The primary cause of underscan on modern displays is often related to the input source device’s settings. For example, a computer, gaming console, or streaming device might be configured to output a resolution or aspect ratio that doesn’t perfectly match the display’s native specifications. Sometimes, the device assumes the connected display is an older CRT and automatically applies underscan as a default setting. This setting is usually adjustable within the source device’s display or video settings.

How Do I Identify If My Display Is Experiencing Underscan?

Identifying underscan is relatively straightforward. The most obvious sign is the presence of black borders surrounding the image on your screen. These borders can appear on all four sides (top, bottom, left, and right), or they might be more prominent on certain edges. The size of these borders can vary depending on the severity of the underscan issue.

Another way to check is by comparing the size of the displayed content with the physical edges of your screen. For instance, if the start menu button in Windows or the dock on macOS appears significantly inset from the edge of the display, it’s likely that underscan is present. Testing with a full-screen image or video can also help confirm whether the entire display area is being utilized.

Where Do I Typically Find The Underscan Settings On A Computer?

On a Windows computer, the underscan settings are usually found within the display adapter’s control panel. This is often accessed through the graphics card manufacturer’s software, such as NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings. Look for options related to scaling, display size, or overscan/underscan adjustments. The specific terminology may vary slightly depending on the graphics card driver version.

For macOS, the underscan settings are typically located within System Preferences, under the Displays section. When an external display is connected, macOS usually detects it and provides options to adjust the display resolution, refresh rate, and importantly, overscan/underscan. Look for a slider or checkbox that allows you to adjust the display scaling to fit the screen properly.

How Do I Fix Underscan On A Gaming Console Like Playstation Or Xbox?

On PlayStation consoles, you can usually find display settings within the system’s settings menu. Navigate to the “Sound and Screen” section and look for options related to “Display Area Settings” or “Screen Size.” This allows you to manually adjust the boundaries of the displayed image to fit your screen. Adjust the corners until they align with the edges of your TV.

Similarly, on Xbox consoles, you’ll find display settings within the “Settings” menu, under the “Display & sound” section. Look for options like “Video output” or “Calibrate TV.” This section typically provides tools to adjust the screen boundaries and ensure the entire image is visible. Follow the on-screen prompts to adjust the settings until the displayed image fills the screen.

My TV Has Picture Settings Like “Zoom” Or “Wide Mode.” How Do These Relate To Underscan?

TV picture settings like “Zoom,” “Wide Mode,” or “Aspect Ratio” can sometimes interact with and even exacerbate underscan issues. These settings are designed to stretch, crop, or otherwise manipulate the image to fit the screen, and in some cases, they can inadvertently introduce or worsen black borders. While they are not direct solutions to underscan, understanding their functionality is important.

For example, using a “Zoom” mode might cut off portions of the image around the edges, creating the illusion of a smaller display area even if the source isn’t experiencing underscan. Conversely, a “Wide Mode” might stretch the image horizontally, potentially hiding mild underscan but distorting the picture. It’s best to ensure these settings are set to “Auto,” “Just Scan,” or “1:1 Pixel Mapping” to avoid unintended scaling before addressing underscan through the source device settings.

What Does “Overscan” Mean, And How Is It Related To Underscan?

Overscan is the opposite of underscan. Instead of shrinking the image and leaving black borders, overscan enlarges the image, causing portions of it to be cut off from the edges of the display. Historically, overscan was used to ensure that the entire picture was visible on older CRT TVs, even if it meant some information around the edges was lost.

Overscan and Underscan are related because they both involve scaling the input signal. While underscan reduces the image size to fit within the display, overscan increases the image size beyond the display boundaries. Modern displays generally don’t require overscan, so it’s important to disable it (or use the appropriate settings to compensate) to ensure the entire image is visible without any cutoff.

What If None Of The Software Settings Seem To Fix The Underscan?

If software adjustments on both the source device and the display itself fail to correct the underscan issue, consider checking the physical connections between the devices. Ensure that you are using a high-quality cable (such as HDMI) and that it is securely connected to both the source device and the display. A loose or faulty cable can sometimes cause signal degradation that might lead to display issues.

If the connection seems fine, try updating the firmware for both the display and the source device. Manufacturers often release firmware updates that include bug fixes and improvements to display compatibility. Also, ensure that your graphics drivers are up-to-date. As a last resort, test with a different display or source device to isolate whether the problem lies with a specific piece of hardware.