Monitors have the ability to display a stunning array of colors and graphics. However, sometimes, things can get messed up and display colors in an odd form, with rounded edges appearing over each shade. This is color banding.
The three main causes of color banding on a monitor are:
- Incorrect color settings
- Image editing software that doesn’t export images correctly
- A monitor that is out of calibration
To fix these issues, color settings and image export settings can be used.
There are a lot of reasons for why your monitor is causing color banding, and ways you can fix this. Read on to find out.
Why Is My Monitor Suddenly Color Banding?
Color banding is caused by a monitor’s inability to display colors accurately.
There are many different types of monitors out there, including:
- LCD
- LED
- Plasma
- CRT
Each type of monitor displays colors differently, and some have a higher chance of displaying color banding than others.
Images on a monitor are generated by a graphics card, which processes information received from the computer’s CPU. Every display panel is made up of an array of tiny cells called pixels. This is what allows images you see on a monitor to be so detailed. In order to create color, each pixel is actually made of three sub-pixels that each display a different color.
The way these colors interact with each other is what allows us to see a full range of colors on our screens. If you notice color banding on your computer screen, then there is a problem causing colors to not display properly.
Causes Of Color Banding On Monitors
There are a few primary reasons why color banding occurs. First, the monitor may not be able to display certain colors correctly. Second, the monitor may not have enough information about what colors are being displayed. In order to fix color banding, you need to determine if the problem lies with the monitor or the software.
There are three main causes of color banding on a monitor:
- Color settings, Color settings can be adjusted in the “Display Properties” menu and can be adjusted for each color channel to see if the banding issues resolve.
- Image editing software. image editing software can be used to export images correctly within the software itself. Sometimes changing the file format can help resolve color banding.
- The monitor itself. If every image or every page has a color banding issue, then the monitor may be the cause. The monitor can be calibrated to fix color settings, as mentioned above but if that doesn’t work, the monitor itself may need to be changed.
Color banding is a surprisingly common issue that crops up on monitors. More often than not, it’s a result of different colors bleeding into each other. There are a few ways to fix this, but the most common is by adjusting the monitor’s color settings. If that doesn’t work, you can try adjusting the brightness and contrast levels.
How to Fix Color Banding on a Monitor
A monitor’s color banding is the pattern of colors that are spread unevenly across the screen. The most common reason your monitor may have suddenly started color banding is that a setting got changed accidently or an image was exported incorrectly.
When the colors in a picture or document are displayed on a monitor, the blue, green, and red sub pixels are combined to create white pixels. This process is called primary color mixing, and incorrect mixing is a source of many banding issues.
Color banding is an issue that can affect the appearance of what you see. It’s easy to test when color banding occurs. It can be a major issue for photographers and graphic designers, as it can ruin an otherwise perfect image.
The good news is, it’s relatively easy to fix. To find the perfect solution, the first step is to isolate the source of the issue, whether it’s a hardware or software problem. Is it your entire monitor having the issue or is it just certain images?
Fixing Color Settings
One way to fix color banding is to adjust the monitor’s color settings. This can be done in the “Display Properties” menu, which is usually found in the “Control Panel.”
Another way to fix color banding is to adjust the brightness and contrast levels. This can be done by:
- Press the “Menu” button on the monitor
- Navigate to the “Brightness” or “Contrast” settings
- Adjust the colors to see if any differences can be noted
Now, let’s see how to fix software issues.
Fixing Software Issues
Image editing software, such as Photoshop, can also cause color banding issues. This is because the software may not be able to export the image correctly. When an image is exported, the color values are quantized. This means that the number of colors in the image is reduced. The reduction in colors can cause banding.
To fix this, try exporting the image as a JPEG or TIFF file. Another way to fix color banding is to use an image editing software that supports the “Save for Web” feature.
Fixing the Monitor
If the problem does lie with the hardware, then there are a few things you should do.
Follow these instructions:
- Make sure that the monitor is plugged into the right port
- Try turning off any external devices connected to the monitor
- Check to make sure that the cables connecting the monitor to the computer are secure and not damaged
- Turn off the power supply to the monitor and wait 30 seconds before plugging it back in
If this doesn’t work, you may unfortunately have to get a new monitor. If you need images and graphics made fast but don’t have a working monitor, you could always go with an online service that can make custom graphics for you.
Concluding Thoughts
By using a high-quality monitor, color banding can be avoided the best. But most of the time, a quick settings adjustment will solve the problem. Banding problems are never pleasant to encounter, but fortunately they are typically simple to fix.