How to fix display scaling issues on Windows 10

Do you have an app that looks blurry? Here's how to fix the scaling issue on Windows 10.

Windows 10 fix scaling causing blurry apps
Windows 10 fix scaling causing blurry apps

Display scaling has been a problem for a long time, and even though, Windows 10 has introduced changes to prevent blurry apps as a result of incorrect scaling, it’s still a big issue, especially when using traditional desktop applications and multi-monitor setups.

However, the operating system includes an option in the Settings app to make it easier to fix apps when they become blurry without having to sign out. For instance, when changing the display settings, running a remote session, or docking and undocking a device.

This guide will teach you the steps to use Windows 10 settings to fix scaling issues on your computer.

Fix blurry apps on Windows 10

To fix blurry apps from the Settings app on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click on Display.

  4. Under “Scale and layout,” click the “Advanced scaling settings” option.

    Advanced scaling settings

  5. Turn on the “Let Windows try to fix apps so they’re not blurry” toggle switch.

    Fix scaling for apps settings

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will try to make sure apps don’t look blurry the next time you open the app without having to sign out and sign back into your device.

In addition, if the system detects that you may be running a blurry app, a notification will inform you that there’s an option to fix this issue when you reopen the app.

This feature only works for apps running on your primary display. If you use a multi-monitor setup with different scale factors, apps may still look blurry on secondary monitors. Furthermore, this may not work with every program.

Fix app scaling issues individually on Windows 10

To fix scaling issues on applications individually overriding the global scaling settings on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Right-click the .exe of the app.

  2. Click on Properties.

  3. Click the Compatibility tab.

  4. Under “Settings,” click the “Change high DPI settings” button.

    Exe's Compatibility tab

  5. Check the “Use this setting to fix scaling problems for this program instead of the one in Settings” option.

  6. Choose when to apply the scaling settings, including when opening the app or when signing in to Windows 10.

  7. Check the “Override high DPI scaling behavior” option.

  8. Choose the behavior with the drop-drop menu, including “Application,” “System,” or “System (Enhanced).”

    High DPI settings per-app

  9. Click the OK button.

  10. Click the Apply button.

  11. Click the OK button.

After completing the steps, even though, you may have specific global scaling settings configured on Windows 10, the app will not respond to those settings. Instead, it’ll use the custom settings you selected within the “Compatibility” settings.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.