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How to fix intense display tearing? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 11 months ago by to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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I have been getting monitor tearing time to time, even with windows. It wasn't occurring often, and I could fix it by turning the monitor off and on, so I have been sleeping on it.

A few days ago, it began tearing like crazy, and it happens after turning the monitor on for a few minutes. It came to the point where the computer is nearly unusable, so I want to solve the issue once and for all.

How do I go with resolving a monitor tearing issue? Or, is it the faulty monitor? The issue also happens on Windows, after all..

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[–] 46 points 11 months ago* (4 children)

A few steps to try: Plug the monitor into a different port on the same graphics card

Plug the monitor into a laptop or game console or something

Plug a different screen (even a TV if needed) into the PC you have that monitor connected to now.

This will tell you whether it's the port, the rendering hardware, or the monitor. Then you can go from there

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  • [–] 12 points 11 months ago

    Not mentioned, but if there are mobo monitor connections, try those, too.

    But yes, this is almost definitely a hardware problem since it's also happening in Windows. The only other plausible option would be the hardware's firmware, but that seems unlikely...

    It could theoretically be an incredible fluke to have a software issue in both Windows and Linux... Maybe the same weird edge-case hardware interaction that's the same between two versions of a closed-source NVidia driver? I can't see that as plausible, though.

    If OP is in a developed country, used monitors are cheap. My vertically-oriented side monitor I got for $20, and I only even paid that much because I needed one that could go vertical orientation without a monitor arm.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 11 months ago* (1 child)

    First of all, thanks a lot! I should try different ones. To try the different ports, I need to open up the case, right? That sounds like work, but maybe that's unavoidable. Guess I should check if the tearing occurs with laptops first.

    Strangely, the tearing seems to happen more frequently in Linux. I am not sure how... Also, turning the monitor off and on briefly fixes the tearing. Does it say anything about it? Plus, it only happens in one monitor, another monitor is completely fine - although another monitor flicker when the monitor tears.

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    • [–] 20 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (6 children)

    You might be on the right track thinking it's the monitor, but could also be related to the GPU (assuming it's the same PC/card that tears across different OS's).

    If different machines all tear the same way, then I'd say definitely the monitor and the manufacturer may or may not be able to give some insight.

    Otherwise, I think we might need some more details about the machine's hardware to be able to give any meaningful advice other than double-checking driver versions and firmware updates, etc.

    Things that might be helpful:

    • GPU make/model
    • Monitor model (the picture at least shows it's an AOC)
    • Connection type (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, etc.)
    • Have you tried a different connection type?
    • Have you tried a different cable of the same type?
    • Does it happen on any other monitors?
    • Are there other input ports you can try on the monitor? Do they also tear?
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  • [–] [S] 1 point 11 months ago (5 children)

    It only happens in one monitor, another monitor is completely fine - although another monitor flicker when the monitor tears. I will check the monitor with other hardware (e.g. laptops). The connection type is HDMI, sadly the monitor does not seem to have DisplayPort connection.

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago (4 children)

    although another monitor flicker when the monitor tears.

    I assume that you mean "the 2nd monitor flickers under the same conditions that the 1st monitor tears", or are you saying that you have tried 3 separate monitors, all with different behavior?

    Take your time and walk through all the steps that folks have laid out for you in these comments, and try to answer each question we're asking. There just isn't enough detail for us to give solid answers or further suggestions.

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  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    I would assume they have two monitors connected and when the tearing occurs on the problem monitor, their second monitor flickers.

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

    This is the problem with assuming, there's nothing in their notes about having a second monitor connected at the same time as the one that is tearing. This possibility didn't even occur to me, but it's plausible.

    edit: literally a minute after I reply, OP confirms you are correct in your assumption.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 11 months ago (1 child)

    Yeah, the 2nd monitor briefly turns itself off and on in the same moment the 1st monitor tears. I will try to follow the steps.

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  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago

    It wasn't at all clear that you had a 2nd monitor connected, that is also useful information. Still, not enough data to really know.

    Are both monitors the same make and model? If not, then it seems likely there's an issue with your GPU or HDMI cable, but the symptoms are different because the monitors are manufactured by different companies. If the monitors are identical to each other, then we're back to most likely being an issue with the 1st monitor.

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    • [–] 19 points 11 months ago*

    if it happens over multiple operating systems, its either an insane coincidence or hardware issue. however, if you are lucky, the hardware that is broken is only the cable or only a specific port. i suggest trying different cable and port combos, on both GPU & motherboard and Screen (if your screen has multiple ports)

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    [–] 7 points 11 months ago

    1 - It comes from the graphical displaying.

    So it could be either hardware graphical related (aka GPU or display) or software graphical related.

    2 - It doesn't seem to come from driver or software issue since Windows didn't work.

    So it's surely related to hardware, display or GPU. If it's a desktop as other said you could try to change the output port of your display on your GPU...

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    [–] 6 points 11 months ago

    just rotate the monitor 45° to compensate.

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    [–] 4 points 11 months ago

    Perhaps you could build some sort of large Fresnel lens to place in front of it that would correct for it.

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    [–] -5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (4 children)

    Which distro? Switch to Wayland, I've only experienced screen tearing with Xorg. Edit, it's probably your hardware.

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  • [–] 15 points 11 months ago* (2 children)

    Dude this much tearing is not an xorg issue

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    • [+] -13 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (3 children)

    You can press PrtSc to take a screenshot.

    Edit: Apparently, rendering issues often don't get included in a screenshot, which is definitely different than I expected. So, screenshots may or may not be viable for this context. If the latter, then apologies. 👍

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